Portrait and biographical record of Portland and vicinity, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 75

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 75

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Henry Hill, Sr., was born in Staffordshire, England, where he learned the moulder's trade. In April, 1865, he came to America, landing here upon the day that the whole country was bowed with grief over the sad news of the assassination of President Lincoln. The voyage was made in the Great Eastern, this being her first trip across the Atlantic. Settling in Youngstown, Ohio, he became manager of the Brown & Bonnell foundry, which was small and insignificant when he first became identified with it, but which grew to vast proportions in time, and eventually covered sev- eral acres of ground. When the South Chicago steel rail mill was built, he was employed to superintend the building of the foundry, but after a time he resigned his position and returned to Youngstown as an employe of the Todd's Iron

works. While in Ohio he had the distinction of making some of the largest castings ever made in the United States, among them being two wheels of thirty-two tons weight, cast in one piece, and though overy thirty years old they are still in use. While in Youngstown, Ohio, Mr. Hill cast a chill roll, being the first one cast in that city. Upon leaving Ohio Mr. Hill came to Oregon in 1883, as has been mentioned pre- viously. He is a stanch member of the Baptist Church, which body he has served in the capacity of deacon, and is decided in his opinions in re- gard to the evils of strong drink. His wife, for- merly Miss Sarah A. Oskitch, was also born in Staffordshire, England, and her death occurred in Portland.

Of the eleven children born to this worthy couple seven grew to maturity. Clara, Mrs. Wright, resides in Youngstown, Ohio; George is a moulder in Niles, Ohio, and also has an interest in the Oregon foundry .; Henry, Jr., Wil- liam, Sadie, John and David, all of whom are interested in the business founded by their father. The three oldest sons were born in England, and the remainder of the family were born in Mahon- ing county, Ohio. Henry, Jr., first learned the blacksmith's trade and later started in business for himself at the corner of Market and Seventh streets. While engaged at his work he met with a sad accident, his eyes being burned by the borax which he was using in the welding of a piece of iron. This necessitated abandoning the busi- ness and he later took a course at the Portland Business College. Subsequently for three years he was in the employ of Snell, Hitcher & Wood- ward, wholesale druggists, and still later went to San Francisco, where for a time he filled a posi- tion as salesman. William Hill first learned the saddler's trade and followed it for a time, but when the foundry company was organized he became interested in it and is now an expert moulder. John and David also have learned the latter trade and are experienced mechanics. The growth and prosperity of the Oregon Foundry is only commensurate with the energy and enterprise of its officials, all of whom are widely known and popular and they well merit the substantial success they have so deservedly achieved.

DANIEL M. KLEMSEN. On coming to Oregon in 1887, Mr. Klemsen was for a time a resident of Portland, where he superintended the millwrighting in the linseed oil works, the first of the kind in the city. For three subsequent years he was engaged as second and head miller in the mills of Rickreall, Polk county. From there he went to the Big Bend country in Wash- ington, and at Ritzville, Adams county, erected

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the first flour mill in that county. On the com- pletion of the work he started the plant, but soon sold out and returned to Oregon, where he built a mill at Talmadge, Polk county. On completing that plant he began its active operation, but in 1893 sold out and came to Oregon City, where he was employed as second miller for the Port- land Flour Mill Company in the Imperial mill. In 1897 he went to Idaho and took up the mill- ing business with the Weiser Milling Company in Weiser. One year was devoted to the over- hauling of the plant, which he also superintended in operation. From there he went to Salubria. Idaho, where he continued the milling business, but also acquired farming interests. On dis- posing of his property there, in 1901, he returned to Oregon City, where, in May of that year, he opened a grocery and established the business which has since grown to encouraging and grat- ifying proportions.

A native of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, D. M. Klemsen was born March 10, 1857, and is the third among six children and the only one in America. His parents were P. M. and Catherine ( Brandt ) Klemsen, natives of Schleswig-Hcl- stein, the former the owner of a line of fishing sloops, and councilman in his home town, where he was also a worker in the Lutheran Church. The grandfather, Nicholas P. Klemsen, was born in Jutland and was a member of an old Danish family of fishermen. The maternal grandfather, John Brandt, was a farmer by occupation. Prior to the age of fourteen D. M. Klemsen attended the schools and gymnasium of his home town. At the age of fourteen he was apprenticed to the miller's trade in his home place and served for three years, after which he traveled as a journey- man through the different provinces of Germany as well as in Switzerland. On his return home he entered the Eighty-ninth Regular Grenadiers of the German army and served for three years, after which he resumed journeyman work for another three years.

After his arrival in America in 1883 Mr. Klem- sen settled in Clinton, Iowa, where he followed the milling business. Two years later he went to Minnesota, where he was employed as a miller at Newburgh and Preston. In 1887 he came to Oregon, where much of the time since he has made his home. His marriage, in Clinton, Iowa, united him with Lena Petersen, who was born in Schleswig-Holstein, and by whom he had four children, Louise, Alfred, Minnie and George. Fraternally Mr. Klemsen is connected with Salu- bria Lodge No. 27. I. O. O. F., the Encampment at Oregon City, and the Woodmen of the World. Ile is a believer in socialistic doctrines and has forceful and decided opinions concerning labor and capital and other questions that disturb our body politic. In 1902 he was a candidate for

sheriff. Like many of his countrymen, he is a Lutheran in religious preference and adheres to the doctrines of that church.

JAMES T. McCULLOCH. In formulating his success as a farmer in Multnomah county. James T. McCulloch has met with the usual number of discouragements and failures, but has been rewarded with a little more than ordinary success. His farm of eighty acres, which was heavily timbered, was purchased soon after com- ing to Oregon in 1870, and in the meantime he has established a well-merited reputation for thrift, economy and excellent management, fifty acres now being under cultivation.

In Cooper county, Mo., where he was born August 19, 1838, Mr. McCulloch was reared on his father's farm, and educated in the nearby district schools. Until 1864 he contributed his share towards the support of the family, and in that year he determined to seek his fortune in the much talked of western country. With ox-teams and wagons he journeyed to Virginia City, near which he engaged in placer mining and prospect- ing for about three years, experiencing the var- ious successes and failures wnich visit the average seeker after mining riches. For the following three years he engaged in independent farming, and at the expiration of that time, in 1870, pur- chased the farm upon which he has since engaged in general farming and stock-raising.

To his success as a farmer Mr. McCulloch wisely attributes the encouragement of his wife. who was formerly Annie Elliott. a native of Cooper county, Mo., whom he married in 1864. Of this union there were born six children, of whom three are living: James W., a resident of East Portland; Andrew H., a resident of Easton, Ohio; and Laura, wife of C. J. Sunderland. In politics a Prohibitionist, Mr. McCulloch has never taken an active part in the undertakings of his party, although he is public spirited and inclined to promote all efforts at improvement. He is a member of the Christian Church, and is fraternally connected with the Masons.

BURT WEST. A half interest in the eight hundred acre farm taken up and improved by that admirable pioneer, W. W. West (a complete record of whose life may be found in the sketch of Harry West), is owned by his son, Burt West, at present conducting large general farming and dairying enterprises half a mile north of Scap- poose.

From an educational standpoint Mr. West has been favored above the average farm reared youth, for he not only completed the advantages of the district schools, but nearly finished the

P.D. Ridingo

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course at the normal school at Monmouth, Ore. Undoubtedly he would have devoted even more time to the acquisition of knowledge had not the death of his father necessitated his assumption of a portion of the home duties. Shortly after the death of his mother, he was united in mar- riage with Hazeltine Mullins, February 6, 1901, and at once settled on the old place, where he has since been so successful in his many-sided under- takings. He raises a high grade of Jersey cows, milks about forty-five to supply the needs of his dairy, and devotes a considerable portion of his land to general farming. He is practical and energetic, and keeps abreast of the times in all matters pertaining to agricultural pursuits. About two hundred acres of his land is under cultivation.

Mr. West is a Republican, as was also his father, and as are his brothers, but so far he has evidenced no disposition to enter the arena or political preferment. He is a member of the Artisans, and is prominent socially. Mr. and Mrs. West have one daughter, Rhoda Gertrude.

PETER J. RIDINGS, merchant of Marquam, was born in Randolph county, Mo., December 4, 1839, and comes of New England Puritan stock. His family was first established in America by his paternal grandfather, who sought a new home and broader opportunities in the colonies then owned by his mother country of England. Near Winchester, Frederick county, Va., he built and operated a woolen mill for several years, and later moved to the southeast end of the county, where he built another woolen mill, operating in connection therewith a saw and grist mill for many years. In the grandfather's family were eleven sons and one daughter. In the Shenan- doah valley, Va., P. F. Ridings, the father of Peter J., was born in 1816. The father combined the occupations of wagonmaker, cabinetmaker and farmer during his entire life, and, equipped with these various means of livelihood, settled in Missouri as early as 1838. As may well be im- agined, the state, or rather territory, was in a wild and primitive condition, yet here this cour- ageous pioneer made his home, grew up with the district, and reared a family of children. His wife, Mary J. (Larick) Ridings, was born in the Shenandoah valley and knew her husband as a child.

At the age of eighteen Peter J. Ridings left the Missouri farm where he had been practically reared, and set out for the Pike's Peak gold min- ing district. After a month in the mines he came on to California with ox-teams, and at George- town engaged in mining with indifferent success. Convinced that his forte did not lay in getting riches out of the earth. he boarded the Brother Jonathan in 1860, and after landing at Portland

went to Pierce City, eastern Oregon, where he worked in the mines for a year. Still unsuccess- ful, he returned to Portland and engaged in the wood business, being thus employed until 1867. He then located at Glad Tidings, three and a half miles from Marquam, and bought six hundred acres of land, upon which he engaged in general farming. He had much to do with the develop- ment of his locality, was one of the most promi- nent and influential men thereabouts, and was quite at the head of all efforts to improve general conditions. For twenty-one years he was the honored postmaster of Glad Tidings, a position not held at the present time, although the little settlement continues to be his home.

In 1886 Mr. Ridings started a general mer- chandise business in Marquam, and during ten years controlled the Grange store. He finally bought out the store, since which time himself and son have catered to the necessities of a con- stantly increasing trade. In 1865 Mr. Ridings married Caroline Jones, who was born near St. Joseph, Mo., in 1841, and who is the mother of ten children : Frank J. resides in Marquam ; Mrs. Mary B. Scurvin is a resident of Spokane. Wash .; D. G. lives in Marysville, Mont .; Annie E .; John A .; Thomas O .; Carrie; Roy R .; Kate L .; and Onah are all at home with the exception of Thomas, who lives on an adjoinnig farm. Mr. Ridings is a Democrat, and has taken great inter- est in promoting the principles of his party in Clackamas county. Among the offices which he has creditably maintained may be mentioned that of supervisor and school trustee. He is a mem- ber of the Grange of Marquam, and is identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church of Glad Tidings, of which he is a steward.

R. S. HATTAN. The administration of R. S. Hattan as sheriff of Columbia county is being well received throughout, he being one of the most capable and understanding of the men who have filled this important responsibility. Mr. Hattan was born in Marshall county, Ill., November 8, 1860, and during the first eleven years of his life was reared on the paternal farm near Pattons- burg. The father, with his wife and five children, removed to Kansas in 1871, in which state R. S. was educated in the public schools, his founda- tion being supplemented by a two years' scientific course at the Fort Scott normal school. Having qualified as a teacher at the age of twenty-one, he thereafter engaged in educational work during the rest of his stay in the state of Kansas.

In 1889 Mr. Hattan was united in marriage with Geraldine Overturf. a native of Ohio, and from this union six children have been born. the order of their birth being as follows: Bessie, Lloyd, Searle, Virgil, Goldie and Ella. Imme-

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diately after his marriage Mr. Hattan brought his wife to Columbia county, where he taught school until his appointment as deputy sheriff in 1896, on the Democratic ticket. At the expiration of his term in 1900 he was duly elected sheriff of Columbia county, and was re-elected in June of 1902. Mr. Hattan possesses the requisite qualifications for his trying position, his keen knowledge of human nature in all its workings, his pronounced tact, oft evinced humanitarian ten- dencies, and his ability to see fairly all sides of a given question, materially aiding him in ad- justing satisfactorily and amicably the many per- plexing complications which find their way into the sheriff's office.

ROBERT HATTON. The Portland Rolling Mills are fortunate in having as their night fore- man one who is thoroughly conversant with the business in every detail. Some credit for this is perhaps due to an inherited taste for the busi- ness, for his father before him was thoroughly rooted and grounded in the calling, and in his native land, Wales, followed the business for a time. In 1848 he went to France as manager for a mill and subsequently to St. Petersburg in the same capacity. Francis Hatton, the father, was an Englishman, his birth occurring in Shrop- shire, and he died in Durham. Thomas Hatton, the grandfather, was also born in Shropshire. He was an inspector of coal mines in his native land, and later went to Tredegar, Wales, in the same capacity. The mother of Robert Hatton was Elizabeth Morgan, who was born in Gloucester- shire, England, and whose death occurred in Durham. She was a daughter of Isaac Morgan, also a native of Gloucestershire, where he was a farmer.

Of the eight children born to Francis and Elizabeth (Morgan) Hatton, Robert was the youngest, his birth occurring in Dowlais, Glamor- ganshire, South Wales, October 17, 1853. His early childhood was spent in England, but from 1862 until 1865 he attended school in St. Peters- burg, Russia, and later in Darlington, England. At the age of fifteen years his school days were over, for at that age he was apprenticed by his father to learn the trade of roll turner in West Hartlepool. After a three years' apprenticeship, in 1871 he emigrated to America and entered the employ of Chisholm & Co., in Chicago, Ill. His brother-in-law, William Clucas, was foreman of the roll turners there and the young apprentice was under his care and training for the following three years. when he went to Cleveland, Ohio. remaining there six months. About this time he made a short visit to his native land, returning in the fall of 1873 and going at once to San Francisco, where he was employed as roller in

the Pacific Rolling Mills. It was not long before his managerial ability became known and he was made foreman, his services being rewarded from time to time by advancement until the mill closed down in May, 1898. Coming to Portland, in October 1899, he entered upon the duties of chief roller and night foreman, and up to the present time has filled the position in a creditable manner and his services are thoroughly appreciated. When it is remembered that he has been inter- ested in this same line of endeavor since 1868 it goes without saying that he is thoroughly ac- quainted with every detail of the business and well adapted for his position as foreman. His oldest brother, Thomas, from 1870 to 1885, was manager of the Pacific Rolling Mills in San Francisco, and his brother Francis was a pro- fessor of music.

Mr. Hatton takes an interest in fraternal mat- ters, as is witnessed by his membership in the Woodmen of the World and the British Benev- olent Association. As a member of the Methodist Church he aids all projects which will redound to the glory of Him whom they serve or in any way assist his less fortunate fellowmen. In politi- cal affairs he gives his support to the Republican party.

CHARLES B. HAND. A biography should be written for the sake of its lesson, that men everywhere may place themselves in contact with facts and affairs, and build themselves up to and into a life of excellence, not in any sphere, but in their own rightful place, where they may keep and augment their individuality. To record in some respects the details of such a life is pur- posed in the following history of Charles B. Hand, who as president and manager of the Hand Manufacturing Company of Oregon for eleven years has had a remarkable influence in building up the commercial interests of Portland. About 1887 Mr. Hand first became interested in the planing mill business at the corner of Twenty- second and Thurman streets, where he began with only one machine, but the plant grew with wonderful rapidity, and at the end of one year twelve machines were in running order. The second year he added many labor saving devices and employed forty men to carry on the work. Having outgrown the old quarters, in 1892 'he built the present mill at the corner of Nineteenth and Vaughn streets, 75x200 feet in size, and three stories in height. In addition to the mill there are two large warehouses, several lumber sheds. besides barns and dry kilns, the whole covering one and one-half blocks of land. The company manufactured hardwood lumber of all kinds, which was shipped from all parts of the world. In a recent shipment from Manila among

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other woods were marabow, white serrah, the lat- ter a specie of the California laurel, and rungus, a specie of rosewood. The demand for the prod- ucts of the mill was widespread, and besides shipping to all parts of the United States, Mexi- co, Alaska and British Columbia, a shipment of material for the construction of a new depot in Siberia was made recently. The manufacture of saddle trees is also a feature of some import- ance among the products of the company and a large shipment of this commodity has been made to Japan. Twenty-four cars for the city railroad company have recently been built, and they are conceded by all to be the finest cars to be found in Portland. In the manufacture of bank and bar fixtures they have no equal and have built up a large business in this line alone. Mr. Hand is a man of great ability and much originality and has invented many devices for saving labor, among them being a patent boring machine. He has also patented a sliding blind. The plant of the Hand Manufacturing Company is thoroughly equipped in every way, from their immense saw mills, where they manufacture from the stump- age, to the finest piece of workmanship turned out, and they employ from fifty to one hundred hands. In May Mr. Hand severed his connec- tion with the company, although the style of the firm is still the Hand Manufacturing Company.

The great-grandfather of Charles B. Hand came from England to America and first settled in Connecticut, but later went to New York, and died in Otsego county, that state. While residing in Connecticut his son, Charles, was born. The grandfather also moved to Otsego county. where he became a farmer and black- smith. Lansing Hand, the father, was a native of the latter county, but he later followed farm- ing in Steuben county. He was a man of some influence in his community, and at one time served as county supervisor. His death occurred in Steuben county. The mother, Julia Ann Alger, was also born in Otsego county, the daughter of Stoughton A. Alger, who was of Welsh descent. Ten children were born to Lan- sing and Julia Ann (Alger) Hand, all of whom were sons with one exception. The youngest son, Edwin L., is in Portland. and George is a resident of Idaho. Charles B. was the fourth from the youngest in this large family, and when he was only six years old he was deprived of the loving care of his mother. He was born August 16, 1859, in Addison Hill, Steuben county, N. Y., and received his education in the little red school house in the vicinity of his home. Until twelve years of age he alternated attendance at school with assisting in the duties that fall to the lot of a farmer's son, and at twelve years of age started out to begin life on his own account. After working in a sash and

door factory near his home for two years he went to Williamsport, Pa., and in a planing mill there learned the business from the ground up, becoin- ing thoroughly skilled in every feature of the plant. He was also very fortunate in gaining an insight into drafting which has since been of great benefit to him.

Having heard of the wonderful possibilities of the west, Mr. Hand went to San Francisco in 1876, going by boat to the sound. At Point Ludlow he obtained work in the Point Ludlow Mills, and subsequently became foreman of the planing department, holding the position until his removal to Victoria, British Columbia, two years later. He also worked in the same capac- ity there for two years, and finally, in 1880, came to Portland, his first position being with Nicholi Brothers. It was not long before his ability as a manager was recognized and he was soon advanced to be foreman of the mill, holding this position until 1887. This was an important epoch in the career of his life. as it marks his marriage with Miss Nellie E. Hammond, a native of Steuben county, N. Y. The ceremony was performed in Farmington, Pa. Two child- ren were born of this marriage, Arthur A, who is thirteen years old, and Grace L., ten years of age. After his marriage Mr. Hand returned to Portland, and began in the planing mill business on his own account, as has been stated previously, and has met with success far beyond his expec- tations. Fraternally he is a Mason, being initi- ated into the order at Woodhull, N. Y. Although he refuses to hold any office. Mr. Hand always manifests a great interest in the public welfare and may be counted upon to bear his part in every worthy measure which is being promulgated in the locality. Politically he gives his influence in behalf of the candidates of the Republican party.

JAMES MONROE MARK. The master me- chanic of the Portland General Electric Com- pany at Oregon City is of eastern birth and lin- eage. His father, Col. John Miller Mark, who was born in Lebanon county, Pa., followed the occupation of a butcher in Lebanon until his retirement. During the Civil war he enlisted as a captain, but later served as colonel of the Ninety-third Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, Company D. While taking part in the battle of Antietam, September 17, 1862, he was wounded in the right arm, and in other engagements also received several wounds. After a service of four years he was honorably discharged and re- turned to his home with a record of which he and his might well be proud. In later years he was called upon to fill various positions of im- portance, including those of county treasurer and

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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 75

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