Portrait and biographical record of Portland and vicinity, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 70

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 70

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The major has found the time to write a num- ber of poems, which have received praise from both the press and the public. His poem on Oregon, which has been widely copied and which was deposited in the corner-stone of the Lewis and Clark monument on the occasion of its dedi- cation by President Roosevelt May 21, 1903, is printed below in full :

OREGON.

Thro' the mist of coming years From this vale of hopes and fears, There's a future bright appears, Rolling on ; And thy sons, amid their toil, On this far, far distant soil, Shall be proudly seen to smile. Oregon !

Tho' no more a foreign rod Is extended o'er thy sod, But thy hills and vales are trod By the free ; Tho' the children of the North In their might have sallied forth, To assert Columbia's worth Gloriously !

Yet alas ! the parent hand That should nurse so bright a land, Doth but faintly, feebly stand For its son ;

While with anxious eyes we look On the homes we once forsook, All thy thousand hills to brook, Oregon !

But we laugh despair to scorn ! Tho' forgotten and forlorn, We predict the coming morn Thro' the gloom ; When thy sons and daughters fair,

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Sweetly reft of grief and care, Shall a Nation's bounty share, And a home !

For the day is drawing nigh When a long-neglected cry Not in vain shall raise on high, "We are One !" And thy sons, amid their toil On this fair though distant soil, Shall in sweet contentment smile, Oregon !

These prophetic lines were published in the Oregon Spectator in the spring of 1850. Major Eckerson was at that time a member of the First U. S. Artillery.

JAMES BENNETT, who owns and manages ninety-five acres of finely improved land near Clackamas, Clackamas county, was born in Mason county, Ky., January 12, 1826, and is a son of Isaac and Elizabeth (Ruggles) Bennett, natives respectively of Virginia and Kentucky, and the former born in 1795. Isaac Bennett roved around considerable as a young man, and in his effort to find a desirable farming location removed from Kentucky to Ohio, from there to Illinois, and to Iowa in 1837. He was one of the very early settlers of the latter state, where he lived first in Jefferson and later in Wapello conuty, where he bought land, and where his death occurred in 1852. He was an industrious and fairly successful man, and while carving out a name for himself reared to years of usefulness five sons and five daughters, three of whom are living. One of the sons, George, lives in California, whither he removed on ac- count of ill health, and where he is retired from active life.

Owing to the necessity for continued hard work in his youth James Bennett had practically no schooling, and whatever he has learned of general information has been the result of na- tive intelligence, observation and experience. At the age of fifteen he began to earn his own liv- ing on other people's farms, and engaged in such hard work as breaking prairies, and other tasks which rendered difficult the life of pioncer set- tlers. With a party he crossed the plains in 1850, hopeful of reaping a fortune from the mines of California, an expectation realized to some extent. At any rate, with his two years' earnings he returned to Jasper county, Iowa, in 1852, and with his brother bought a farm upon which he lived until 1864. Again crossing the plains, he lived for a year in Boise City, Idaho, and upon coming to Clackamas county settled on a rented farm where he raised stock with

considerable success. Eventually he purchased his present farm with the help of his brother-in- law, Mr. Dannals, who came across the plains with him, and with whom he made his home un- til the latter's death, March 29, 1903. The prop- erty is now owned by Mr. Bennett. A fine resi- dence and substantial barns are among the equip- ments of the farm, and modern improvements have been added from time to time. In fact Mr. Bennett has one of the very desirable farm prop- erties of Clackamas county, and his skill as a farmer ought to be greatly commended.

In 1852 Mr. Bennett married in Jasper county, Iowa, Elizabeth Pearson, who died in Newton, Jasper county, Iowa. He there married in 1855, Mahalia ( Dannals) Douglas, a native of Ohio, who bore him five children, four of whom are living : Mary Ellen, now the wife of Kelley Mc- Farland, of Clackamas county ; Samantha Jane, the wife of Jasper Davis; Sarah Alice, now Mrs. Frederick Copps ; and John W., who lives with his father. Mr. Bennett is a Democrat in poli- tics, but has never desired or worked for public office. Upon his farm he raises principally hay and grain, and he is successful beyond the aver- age. Mr. Bennett has the confidence of the com- munity in which he lives, and is regarded as one of its reliable and enterprising citizens.

LEMUEL H. ALBERTS, a representative of the grain trade of Beaverton, was born Feb- ruary 2, 1860, in Marshall county, Ind., and is a son of M. G. Alberts, whose birth occurred in Lancaster county, Pa., in 1830. The father was a saddler by trade and followed that busi- ness through many years. When a young man he removed from the Keystone state to Indiana, where for a time he was engaged in teaching in a German school. He married Caroline Cook, a native of Ohio, and they began their domestic life near Plymouth, Ind. Soon afterward he turned his attention to farming, which he has since followed, and through this means he has provided a comfortable home for his family. At the time of the Civil war he manifested his loyalty to the Union cause by enlisting in the ser- vice as a private, his connection with the army continuing through one year. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Alberts were born eight children : Laura. now deceased; Ellen, who is living in Logans- port, Ind. ; Calvin, who has also passed away ; Ollie, of Plymouth, Ind. ; Lemnel H. of this re- view ; and three who died in infancy. In 1902 the mother was called to her final rest and since that time the father has lived practically retired in Indiana.

Lemuel H. Alberts remained under the pa- rental roof until twenty years of age, and then in order to benefit his health went to lowa, where

& B Joane

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he secured work as a farm hand for two years. On the expiration of that period he came to the northwest, settling in Washington in 1882. For seven years he was employed as fireman in a paper mill and then, in 1889, he removed to Ore- gon, establishing his home in Forest Grove, where he embarked in the manufacture of flour as a member of the firm of J. H. Anderson & Company. Ten years were passed in that place, and in 1899 he came to Beaverton, where he is now engaged in the milling business under the title of the Beaverton Milling Company. They manufacture all kinds of feed and deal in all kinds of grain, and the volume of the business enjoyed by the company is continually increas- ing, thus returning to the owners a good annual return.

December 21, 1884. Mr. Alberts was joined in marriage to Miss Mary S. Anderson, a native of Missouri, and unto them have been born five children : Clarence, Martin, Raymond, Arthur and Perry, all at home. Mr. Alberts holds mem- bership relations with the Woodmen of the World and with the Knights of Pythias, and he belongs to the Congregational Church. As a public-spirited citizen, he is interested in all that pertains to the general growth and progress of his community, and imbued with the progressive and enterprising spirit of the west, he has lab- ored effectively for the advancement of Beaver- ton as well as for his individual business in- terests.

JOSEPH B. DOANE, judge of Columbia county, and engaged in the real estate and insur- ance business at Rainier, was born near Coates- ville, Chester county, Pa., May 24, 1842, and re- ceived his early training on the paternal farm and in the public schools. At the age of seven- teen he put behind him the irresponsible life of a farmer boy and was apprenticed to a carpenter for three years, for the first year receiving $5, the second $7, and the third $9 per month. Dur- ing this time he was obliged to furnish his clothes and Sunday board, and to endure privations and hardships almost unknown to the apprentice of today.

Shortly before completing his apprenticeship Mr. Doane started in business for himself, and was doing fairly well when the breaking out of the Civil war was heralded as an opportunity of great magnitude, to be embraced by all able bodied and patriotic youth. Accordingly he en- listed in August, 1862, in Company E, One Hun- dred and Fiftieth Pennsylvania Volunteer In- fantry, as a private for three years, and was sent to General Wadsworth's brigade in Washington. However, Mr. Doane was not destined for a bril- liant martial career, much as he desired to serve

his country, for at the end of two months he was discharged for disability, and was obliged to re- turn to the more peaceful manner of life in his native state. In November, 1866, he removed to De Kalb county, Ill., and in Sandwich worked at carpentering for the Sandwich Manufacturing Company for seventeen years. Severing this long association in 1884 he came to Columbia county, Ore., took up a homestead of one hundred and forty acres, two and three-fourths miles from Rainier, in Beaver valley, upon which he lived and prospered for twelve years. During this time he brought his property to a high state of cultivation, carried on dairying to some extent, and at the same time enlarged his field of activity by building and contracting throughout his neighborhood.

In 1895 Mr. Doane moved into the town of Rainier, and the following year was elected jus- tice of the peace, having filled the same office for nine years while living on his farm. This posi- tion was resigned upon his election to the county judgeship on the Republican ticket in 1896, which responsibility he is maintaining at the present time. As a business proposition Judge Doane has engaged in the real estate and insur- ance business in Rainier, and some of the most desirable farm and city property in the county has passed through his hands. He is fraternally well and favorably known in this section, and as a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge No. 58, of Rainier, has filled all of the chairs, and was representative to the Grand Lodge of the state. He is also identified with the Red Men, and has represented his order at the grand council of the organization.

October 24, 1862, Judge Doane was united in marriage with Hannah J. Gregg, widow of Solo- mon Gregg, and mother of one child, Elizabeth I. Gregg, now the wife of H. H. Doane of Port- land. To Judge and Mrs. Doane has been born one son, John H., who is a rancher near Rainier. Judge Doane is one of the highly honored and capable wearers of the ermine in Columbia county, and in his character and general citizen- ship has not strayed from the moral teachings of his Quaker ancestors, in which atmosphere his boyhood days were passed.

GEORGE H. BRIGGS, the postmaster of Dil- ley and a member of the firm of Briggs Brothers, merchants of this place, was born in Carlton county, New Brunswick, December 3, 1850. His father was a farmer by occupation and in the family were nine children. In the usual manner of farmer lads of the period George H. Briggs was reared and educated, remaining at home until twenty-eight years of age. when he aban- doned the plow in order to learn the carpenter's

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trade, which he has followed at intervals since that time. He first went to Michigan, where he remained for about a year, and in 1879 he came direct to Oregon, settling on the Columbia river. He was here engaged in the timber business and was master of construction. In 1891 he took up his abode in Dilley, where he has since engaged in merchandising as a member of the firm of Briggs Brothers, and during the ten years which have elapsed since the establishment of the store they have enjoyed a constantly increasing trade, which is indicative of their honorable business methods, their close application and their marked enterprise.

In the year 1893 Mr. Briggs was united in marriage with Mrs. H. M. Knapp, a native of Clarke county, Wash., and they began their do- mestic life at the place where they are now re- siding. Fraternally Mr. Briggs is connected with the Masonic Order and his political support is given to the Republican party. Because of his allegiance thereto, and in recognition of his capa- bility, he was appointed to the position of post- master and is now discharging the duties of that position in connection with his merchandising in- terests. He owns a good store building here and other town property and his possessions are the visible evidence of his life of industry and thrift.

Abner Briggs, the brother of George H. Briggs and a member of the well-known mer- chandising firm of Dilley, was born in 1853, in Carlton county, New Brunswick, where he re- sided until 1886. In that year, thinking that he might have better business opportunities in the west, he took up his abode in Montana, where he lived for about four years, and in 1891 came to Dilley, Ore., where he has since engaged in busi- ness as a member of the firm of Briggs Brothers, whose commercial methods and strict adherence to the ethics of business life have enabled them to gain prosperity. Abner Briggs was postmas- ter at Dilley from April, 1892, until October, 1898. In June, 1898, he was elected member of che state legislature, and sat in that body during the special session of 1898 and regular session of 1899.

Abner Briggs was united in marriage with Elide Alexander, a native of New Brunswick, and they have three children: Emma, Lizzie, and Wilford. Mr. Briggs exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Republican party, and holds membership re- lations with the United Artisans.

EDWARD BYROM was born October 21, 1827, in Manchester, England, and in 1842 came to the United States with his father, John Byrom, the family being established in Pawtucket, Mass. In this family were five children, three sons and

two daughters. His father was what was known as a block calico printer and our subject served an apprenticeship to him. After arriving in this country both worked in the calico printing trade until improved machinery did away with hand work. In the years 1849 and 1850 Mr. Byrom was employed in the Wamsutta cotton mills at New Bedford, Mass. His father lived to be about seventy-two years of age and died in Scranton, Pa.

In the year 1850 Mr. Byrom of this review left New York City as a passenger on the ship Washington Irving, for San Francisco, it re- quiring about two hundred days to make the trip. He had a very rough passage, was twenty- seven days off Cape Horn, and in 1851 arrived safely at the Golden Gate. He remained for only a short period, however, in San Francisco and then found his way to Oregon, settling upon the place where he still resides, securing a donation claim of one hundred and sixty acres on which he built a small log cabin, containing but one room, and in this primitive home he began life in the west. In 1857 he chose as a companion and helpmate for life's journey Miss Elizabeth Moshier, a native of Indiana whose parents came across the plains with ox-teams in the year 1847 and took up their abode in Clackamas county, Ore. Her father se- cured a donation claim of six hundred and forty acres and thereon he began the development of a farm which in course of time became one of the highly improved and richly attractive tracts of land in his portion of the state. He aided materially in the early development of the coun- ty and was an honored pioneer settler respected by all who knew him. He had served his coun- try as a private in the war of 1812. Both he and his wife lived to an advanced age and were then called to the home beyond.

At the time Mr. Byrom began farming he too had a tract of land covered with a heavy growth of timber. For several years he conducted the Cottonwood House, on Camas prairie, Idaho, and at different times he has been extensively en- gaged in the stock business and in merchandis- ing. His present home on his donation claim is pleasantly located about a mile and a half south of Tualatin and now he is giving his at- tention in an undivided manner to agricultural pursuits. He has upon his farm good substantial buildings, the latest improved machinery and all modern equipments, and the place in its neat and thrifty appearance indicates the careful super- vision of the progressive owner.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Byrom has been blessed with five children: John E., who is liv- ing in Idaho; Joseph L., who is still at home and operates his father's farm; Ella, the wife of E. Eddy; Addie, the wife of D. C. Elv, of Oregon City ; and one who died in infancy. The

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cause of education finds in Mr. Byrom a warm friend and he has done effective service in its behalf while acting as a member of the school board. He is also a member and chaplain of the Grange and in his political views he is a Repub- lican. For more than a half-century he has watched the development and growth of this por- tion of the state as it has emerged from pioneer surroundings to take its place with one of the most progressive districts of the great north- west, and as one of the early settlers of Oregon he certainly deserves representation in this volume.

W. J. BENSON, proprietor of the Hillsboro Machine Shop and Foundry, is, perhaps, one of the most expert in his line in the northwest. To him is due the distinction of starting the first foundry in Washington county, an enterprise es- tablished upon his arrival here in 1890. Upon the acre and a half purchased at that time he made many improvements, set out an orchard, built a residence, and as modern and complete a machine shop as any to be found in the coun- try. Steam power is utilized for most purposes, and brass castings, engines and logging machin- ery, besides the general work carried on in ma- chine shops, are turned out in their best form. A specialty is made of repairing machinery, and a wood saw is one of the accompaniments of the shop. Mr. Benson was also for a time in- terested and a large stockholder in the Perry- dale Milling Company, he having built the steam mill at Perrydale, Polk county, Ore., which has a capacity of fifty barrels a day.

A native of Baldwinsville, N. Y., Mr. Benson was born November 22, 1852, and is the second oldest of the four children born to John and Mary (Stephenson) Benson, natives of England, and the former born in Yorkshire. John Benson was a wool spinner by occupation, and came to Amer- ica about 1850. In 1867 he removed to Moline, Ill., where his death occurred. His wife came to America with her parents when a child, and her death occurred in Auburn, N. Y. For the greater part W. J. Benson was educated in New York state, although in earlier years he had small opportunity to acquire any kind of book knowledge. At the age of nine years he went to work in a woolen mill, and for four years was in the card room. In 1867 he removed to Mo- line, Ill., with his father, and the following year started in at an apprenticeship of three and a half years with Barnard & Lees, machinists. After the completion of his trade he became fire- man and brakeman on the Rock Island Railroad, between Rock Island & Chicago, and at the ex- piration of four years became stationary engineer for Beers & Company, at Moline, Ill., for two

and a half years. After leaving the latter firm he started a machine shop and brass foundry on his own responsibility, and in 1885 removed to Cheyenne county, Neb., remained for six months, went to Round Lake, Minn., and then to Sioux Falls, S. Dak. In the latter town he intended to start a machine shop, but finding a boom in building, availed himself of it, and was thus em- ployed for a couple of years. The boom sub- siding, he came to Hillsboro in 1890, having been advised as to the desirability of the location by those familiar with the ground.

While living in Moline Mr. Benson married Elizabeth Bunker, native of Ohio. Mr. Benson is a Republican in political affiliation, and has served the community as councilman for one term. Fraternally he is associated with the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order Odd Fellows, and the Ancient Order United Work- men. He is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. Mr. Benson has perfected many improvements in general machinery, and is uni- versally conceded to be a genius in his line. He is familiar with all things pertaining to his chosen occupation, and has traveled up and down the Willamette valley, investigating the machin- ery at different points. He is popular and well liked, and has many friends in the city of his adoption.

JOHN SWEEK. Among the men whose labors have resulted in good for the community and who are deserving of representation in the history of the Willamette valley, is John Sweek, now deceased. He came to the northwest in pioneer times, braving the hardships and trials of life in a district far separated from the com- forts of the older east, and with the work of improvement and development he was actively associated through many years, ever giving his influence in support of measures calculated for the general good. He was born in St. Genevieve county, Mo., on the Mississippi river, March 25, 1822. His father was a native of Virginia, while his mother's birth occurred in England. In order to support his family the fatlier carried on stock-raising and general farming, prospering in his work as the years passed by.

In early life Mr. Sweek of this review studied botlı medicine and law and to some extent fol- lowed each profession before coming to the north- west. He was married February 29, 1852, to Miss Maria Beard, a native of Perry county, Mo. Her father was born in North Carolina and her mother's birth occurred in New Jersey. In the year of their marriage the young couple started westward with a party of about sixty enroute for Oregon. They traveled across the plains and over the mountains, their wagons drawn by

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ox-teams, and after about three months spent

upon the way reached their destination. A greater part of the land was still in the possession of the government, having not yet been reclaimed by the white men for purposes of civilization, and Mr. Sweek secured a donation claim of three hundred and twenty acres on which his widow is still living. He assisted in cutting the first road from Boone's Ferry to Portland, and Ore- gon City was at that time their trading point and postoffice. Mr. Sweek handled most of the tim- ber used in the building of the breakwater at Oregon City and during the mining excitement in Idaho he transported his own freight from The Dalles to Idaho City, where he was engaged in merchandising, following that business for six years. For twelve years he was engaged in the execution of contracts for the Star route and in his later days he devoted his time to farming and stock-raising. Whatever he undertook he carried forward to a successful completion, for he was a man of indefatigable energy, strong resolution and unflagging perseverance. He quickly recognized business opportunities and made the most of these and as the years pro- gressed he prospered, winning a very desirable competence.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Sweek were born six children : Cyrus, who is an attorney of Barnes, Ore .; Alice, the wife of M. W. Smith, who is engaged in the practice of law in Portland ; Law- rence, who is living in Grant county, this state ; Alexander, an attorney of Portland; Lillian, the wife of C. Harding, of the same city ; and Thad- cleus, who is associated with the Oregon Railroad & Navigation Company at Portland. The cause of education ever found in Mr. Sweek a warm friend. and he was the first one in his locality to give his children the benefit of a collegiate train- ing. He did everything in his power to promote the cause of the schools and was largely instru- mental in establishing the school system of this portion of Oregon upon a safe and sure founda- tion. Although he did not hold membership with any religious denomination, he contributed gen- erously to the support of the various churches and withheld his aid from nothing that he be- lieved would benefit his community along mater- ial, social, intellectual or moral lines. His busi- ness affairs were so capably conducted that he was enabled to leave his family a handsome estate and moreover he gave to them the priceless heritage of an untarnished name. He lived to the age of sixty-eight years and nine months and was then laid to rest in Riverview cemetery of Portland, Ore. Although several years have passed since he was called from this life his memory is still enshrined in the hearts of those who knew him and the public yet recognize his worth as a citizen and accord him praise for what

he did for his county. Since the death of her husband. Mrs. Sweek has remained upon the old home place and manages her property, which is one of the best equipped farms in Washington county. She has an attractive modern residence, substantial barns and other outbuildings upon the place and her home is conveniently situated within the corporation limits of Tualatin. She too deserves mention among the pioneer residents of the county and can relate many interesting in- cidents of the early days when there were hard- ships and trials to be borne by the early settlers. She has lived, however, to see great changes occur and in the transition she has felt a deep interest, rejoicing in what has been accomplished by the county.

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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 70

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