Portrait and biographical record of Portland and vicinity, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 78

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 78

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THOMAS W. SAIN, who is the owner of one of the best improved farms in Washington county, was born in Hazelgreen, Iowa, October 28, 1851. His father Philip H. Sain, was born in Ohio, October 17, 1813, and in early life learned the mason's trade, which he followed through many years. In the state of his nativity, September 29, 1836, he wedded Naomi Carpenter, who was born July 17, 1819, in Ohio, and there they re- sided for a short time, after which they removed to Iowa, where Mr. Sain devoted his attention to mining, following that pursuit for twenty-five

years in the lead regions of the Hawkeye state. In 1856 he left Iowa for Wisconsin, where he was employed at the mason's trade for eight years. He then proceeded as far as Boise City, Idaho, in 1864, where he was engaged in mining for a few years, and then came to Washington county, Ore. Shortly afterward, however, he re- moved to southern Oregon, where he was en- gaged in mining for sixteen years. Later he resided in Baker City, Ore., making his home in that section of the state until his death, which occurred November 16, 1897, when he had at- tained the advanced age of eighty-four years and one month. His wife had passed away in Wash- ington county, December 3, 1881, at the age of sixty-two years and five months. In their family were thirteen children, but the only survivor is the subject of this review.

Thomas W. Sain can well remember the jour- ney across the plains, which was made with a train of sixty-five wagons. While en route they had some trouble with the Indians, but nothing of a very serious nature. Upon reaching Idaho they had four oxen and two cows. These all died but one of the cows, and they were com- pelled to give her up to pay for the pasturage. This left them with no live stock whatever, but they traded a wagon for a horse to help them on their journey. The climax of their troubles in this direction was reached when members of a passing pack train stole this horse, leaving them without oxen, cows or horses. In June, 1865, our subject came with his mother to Washington county, Ore., settling about six miles northwest of Gaston. He remained at home until twenty- five years of age, and in his youth acquired a district school education which prepared him for life's practical and responsible duties. September 26, 1875, he wedded Alice J. Smith, who was born in this state, a daughter of Darling and Ellen Texanna (Gerrish) Smith, who came to Oregon in 1848 or 1849, settling in Yamhill county. They were married in Yamhill county November 29, 1851.

At the time of their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Sain located upon the farm which is still their home. He had a tract of land of a half section, all of which was wild and unimproved, except- ing four acres under cultivation, but with charac- teristic energy he began its cultivation and has continued its development until it is now the best farm in the neighborhood, the fields being rich and productive while the buildings are in keeping with the most advanced ideas concerning agri- culture. The residence is probably the most attractive rural home in Washington county. Mr. Sain now has six hundred and forty acres, about two hundred of which are under cultivation at the present time and devoted to the production of the cereals best adapted to the soil and climate

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and to the raising of stock, for a part of his land is used for pasturage purposes, and he makes a specialty of raising shorthorn cattle, for which he finds a ready sale upon the market.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Sain were born six chil- dren : Lulu, the wife of J. W. Allen of Monmouth, Ore .; Lottie, the wife of James Parker of Dilley, Ore .; Ray W., deceased; Lettie, the wife of Ora Hankins; Dexter C., who is attending school in Monmouth. Ore., and Wanda Alice, who com- pletes the family.

Mr. Sain has always taken a deep interest in the cause of education and has served as a mem- ber of the school board. He has also filled the office of road supervisor and he takes an active interest in politics, doing all in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of the Republican party. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Woodmen of the World. His life has been one of untiring industry and his perseverance and unremitting labor have been the foundation upon which he has builded his prosperity.

IOHANN K. TUERCK. The product of the Portland Art Metal Works ranks with the finest in the country, whether in the east or west, and the greater part of the metal work which em- bellishes the most ambitious and costly struct- ures throughout the state has come from the hands of its master workmen, inspired by the pride and ambition of their leader and proprie- tor, I. K. Tuerck. Mr. Tuerck has spent many years in pursuit of his favorite occupation, has had the benefit of a thorough European training, and has the artistic perceptions needful for the most satisfactory application of his work. From a very modest beginning he started a little bus- iness at No. 86 Second street, and for a long time foreman and mechanic were combined in the same person. As his talent became appre- ciated work became plentiful, every piece that he sent out being an advertisement of his thor- ough understanding of the calling. By 1902 his business had become firmly established among the permanent industries of the town, had more than a local reputation, and required larger quar- ters. His present shop at Nos. 402 and 404 Da- vis street is 50x100 feet in ground dimensions, is equipped with the most modern machinery known at the present time, and is supplied with electric power. The railings of the city parks and reservoirs on the City Hall were made at the Portland Art Metal Works foundry, as were also the iron decorations of Senator Corbett's residence and those on the new custom house building, inside and outside, which constitutes one of the most satisfactory jobs of the kind in the northwest. Most all of the city banks, club

houses, residences and churches owe their orna- mental iron work to this concern, as do the Gen- eral Electric Company, and many others of equal importance.

In Muggendorf, a village of Bavaria, Ger- many, twenty-seven miles northeast of Nürem- berg, Mr. Tuerck was born September 13, 1863. in the same house which had witnessed the birth of his father, Christian, and his grandfather, John. The grandfather was a soldier and build- er, and the father was a restaurateur and hotel proprietor, who died at the comparatively early age of forty-nine years. He was prominent in the quaint old town of Muggendorf, was mayor or burgomaster at one time, and had much to do with general town affairs. After the death of his wife, Margaret (Tuerck) Tuerck, he mar- ried again, and of the two unions were born six children, two by the first, and four by the last union. One of the sons, Christian, died in Cin- cinnati; Henry and Christine are living in Cin- cinnati, and two sisters live in Germany.

In Muggendorf I. K. Tuerck attended the public schools, and participated in the usual life and diversions which fall to the lot of the aver- age youth of the Fatherland. At the age of fifteen he was apprenticed to his uncle, George Tuerck, of Beyreuth, under whom he learned the art metal trade, and with whom he contin- ued to work for two years after completing his apprenticeship of three years. Later on he se- cured a position as master workman in a metal works in Nüremberg, one of the most picturesque and interesting cities of Germany, and at the expiration of five years served for ten weeks in the Fourteenth Infantry. First Reserves. He was then placed in the First Class Reserves, after which he removed to Munich, Bavaria, where he studied art and worked for a couple of years at his trade. Mr. Tuerck came to Amer- ica in 1888, locating first in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he found employment with Schreiber & Sons, builders of machinery, with whom he re- mained for two years. In 1890 he came to Port- land, worked for eighteen months in the machine shop of Mr. Tuerck, and later was engineer and mechanic for the Portland Dry Pressed Brick Company. In Germany his work had been along the line of anything in iron and steel, and after coming to Portland he received the highest praise from those who profited by his ability, for he is naturally a mechanic, and has developed this talent to the highest possible point. It is not surprising that he has succeeded so admirably, or that a continuation of his good fortune is a foregone conclusion.

In Portland Mr. Tuerck was united in mar- riage with Anna Ruoff. a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, and the mother of six children : Henry. William, Katie, Annie, John and Margaret. Mr.

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Tuerck is a member of the Manufacturers' As- sociation, and is fraternally associated with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Wood- men of the World, and the Sons of Herman. In religion he is identified with the Lutheran Church.

E. H. COOPER. Since coming to Clackamas county in 1889, Mr. Cooper has been intimately associated with political and public affairs, and at this writing he is engaged in the real estate and insurance business, besides acting as a notary public. Particular attention is given to the cx- amining of titles, the bringing down of abstracts, and the drawing up of mortgages, deeds and other legal forms. Besides his property in Ore- gon City, where he has his home, he is still the owner of a farm, the supervision of which he maintains, though renting it out to tenants.

Referring to the family history of Mr. Cooper, it may be stated that his father, R. M. Cooper, was born in Mifflin county, Pa., a descendant of Scotch ancestry, firm adherents of the Presby- terian faith, and early settlers of Pennsylvania. The grandfather, John Cooper, of Pennsylvania birth, was a soldier in the war of 1812, and fol- lowed the occupation of a farmer together with the blacksmith's trade. Later, on his removal to Philadelphia, he became interested in a con- fectionery business. His last years were spent in Kansas and his death occurred in that statc. During the Civil war R. M. Cooper was a soldier in the One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Penn- sylvania infantry, and while fighting at the front was wounded several times. About 1878 he set- tled in Osborne county, Kans., and began in the mercantile business at Osborne City. Several years were spent there, but the opportunities were not wholly satisfactory and he determined upon a change of location.

The year 1887 found R. M. Cooper a resident of Clackamas county, where he now owns and occupies a farm, and holds office also as post- master at Carus, and justice of the peace, besides being prominent in the work of the Grand Army of the Republic. His marriage united him with Elizabeth A. Hoover, who was born in Mifflin county, Pa., of German descent, and is still living. Of their ten children all but three attained mature years, and of these E. H. is the oldest son and second child. Six of these are residents of Ore- gon. E. H. Cooper was born in Lewistown, Pa., October 7, 1861, and remained there until 1878, when he accompanied the family to Osborne City, Kans., and there attended the grammar and high school. After graduating he bought a claim and took up farm pursuits. The improvement of his land consumed his time and attention until 1889, when he came to Oregon and purchased land

near Carus, Clackamas county, occupying the same for a time, and still having it in his posses- .sion. In 1896 he was appointed deputy to Sher- iff Grace. A year later he became deputy county clerk, serving as such under Mr. Dixon for three years. During these years he gained a thorough knowledge of details connected with the office and was thus in a position to fill its duties in a manner satisfactory to all. In 1900 on the citi- zens' ticket he was nominated for the office and duly elected, serving in the position from July of 1900 to July of 1902, since the expiration of his term having given his attention to various busi- ness interests of an important nature.

For some years Mr. Cooper was an active worker in the Farmers' Alliance and the National Union, and for several years held office as sec- retary of the State Alliance. For a number of years he was also secretary of the Grange. While living in Kansas he married Nellie M. Rowan. who was born in Illinois, and by whom he has three children, Ray, Elizabeth and Kate. Since coming to Oregon Mr. Cooper has allied himself with the Masons, and is now associated with Willamette Lodge No. I, A. F. & A. M. In the Independent Order of Odd Fellows he is past noble grand, and during 1901 served as dis- trict deputy grand master, besides which he is senior warden of the Encampment. He is past officer in the Woodmen of the World, past officer of the Artisans, and an active worker in the An- cient Order of United Workmen. In religion he is of the Presbyterian faith, and officiates as a ruling elder in the local church of that denomi- nation.

J. B. PRICKETT. A blacksmith by trade and owner of a little shop on his farm near Forest Grove, J. B. Prickett is also a popular and influ- ential member of the community, and identified with its advancement along political and social lines. This excellent business man was born in Williams county, Ohio, October 9, 1847, and comes of Ohio farming stock, long identified with the Buckeye state. As one in a family of seven children it was his lot to be early depend- ent upon his own resources, and he wisely pre- pared for the future by learning the blacksmith's trade in a neighboring town.

Having begun his trade at the age of fourteen, and qualified as an expert in his line, Mr. Prick- ett found employment in the quartermaster's department at Gallatin, Tenn .. as assistant forge master, and was thus engaged for eight months. Thereafter he worked at his trade in various parts of Ohio, Kentucky, Tennesee, Indiana and Minnesota, and in 1872 came to Oregon, set- tling for a year at Rainier. For the following year he plied his trade at Dilley, and then took

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up a homestead of twenty-two acres and another place of twenty acres, upon which he now lives. In connection with general farming he conducts his blacksmith shop, and his excellent grade of work has brought him the patronage of a large number of residents of both the towns and country. He has made good improvements on his place, has a commodious residence, good barns and outhouses, and a substantial, light lit- tle work shop. For several years he con- ducted a threshing machine in connection with his trade, which operation netted him a neat income each harvest time. Another line of activ- ity in which Mr. Prickett has engaged is that of mining, and on and off he has spent about seven years in mining and prospecting in Jack- son county. It was his recognition of its utility that originated the Labor Exchange in the state, and after its organization he was the president of Branch 14, Forest Grove, until the organiza- tion became defunct.

In politics a Socialist, Mr. Prickett has arrived at his way of thinking through profound re- search into prevailing conditions, his conviction as to Socialism being so pronounced that he was led to organize the people's party in Wash- ington county. In an official capacity he has served as school clerk for nine or ten years and has held other offices within the gift of his fellow townsmen. Fraternally he is associated with the Masons and the Grange. The wife of Mr. Prickett was formerly Myra McCue, a native of Indiana.

C. M. OLSEN is one of the Swedish-Ameri- cans who are helping to maintain the credit of their country on foreign soil. As proprietor of a large transfer business in Portland he has es- tablished a reputation for fair dealing and up- right methods, and has also won a fair com- petence in return for years of patient striving. He was born in Gottenburg, Sweden, November 18, 1844, and comes of a family long identified with Swedish affairs, all of whom were devoted members of the Lutheran Church. Ole Matte- son, the father of C. M., was a farmer during his active life, and his wife, formerly Anna Helgesdotter, born June 9, 1822. Mrs. Matte- son, who is still living on the old Swedish home- stead. became the mother of eleven children, eight of whom attained maturity, and five of whom are living. Of these, C. M. and his sister are the only members of the family in America.

Equipped with such education as his arduous home duties on the paternal farm permitted. C. M. Olsen emigrated to America in 1868, and after landing in New York City began a long career before the mast. He came hither on the sailer Amoy, which sailed from Seville, Spain,

and landed in New York harbor April 1, 1868. From here he embarked on the sailer Flordimare for the Mediterranean, and remained for some time in the coasting trade. On the sloop For- mosa he sailed via Good Hope to Melbourne, Australia, and from there to Hong Kong, after- ward visiting Manilla and Batavia, India. Back to Boston, Mass., via Good Hope, Mr. Olsen returned to Sweden in 1873, and the following year returned to New York City as a sailor on the Oceanic. On the same steamer he made a trip to Liverpool, and was then transferred to an American sailing ship, aboard which he re- turned to America. For some time afterward he was engaged in the coasting trade between New York City and New Orleans, and later served as quartermaster on a ship running between New York and Savannah. For two years he was quartermaster on the Anterior, running be- tween New York, the West Indies and Brazil, and then became quartermaster on the steamer City of Sidney, and came through the straits of Magellan to San Francisco. There Mr. Olsen left the steamer and remained in the California city for about three years.

In 1887 Mr. Olsen came to Portland on the old Oregon, but this proved an expensive ven- ture, for his employers kept his first year's wages, and the circumstance disillusionized him as far as this part of the country was concerned. Nevertheless, he started in to retrieve his loss as best he could, and for a couple of years worked hard on a farm, and after he got ac- quainted, succeeded in getting all the work he could do. About 1881 he started in the transfer business, and from a very small beginning has built up a fine and paying enterprise. His store- age houses are located at No. 128 First street. A specialty is made of piano and safe moving, at all times difficult and hazardous work. Mr. Olsen runs four teams the year round, and his reliable and careful understanding of his bus- iness has resulted in the building up of a large and remunerative trade.

The wife of Mr. Olsen was formerly Othelia WV. Schmall, a native of Germany, and the mother of two children, Charles and George. Mr. Olsen is identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and is politically a Republican. With his wife and family he is a member of the Pres- byterian Church.

OTTO F. OLSON. Born among the peas- antry of Smoland, near Walmersvig, Sweden, December 28, 1862, Otto F. Olson, electrician of Oregon City, was reared to the practical and industrious, and received that impetus to worthy and worthwhile action generated by early hours, large responsibility and little leisure. It was nec-

WILLIAM L. FARRELL.

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

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essary for all of the eight children of Abraham Olson to assist with the family maintenance, and their arduous duties necessarily limited their educational privileges.

Of the large family which labored from dawn

Unele Wiggily

self-centered, but has the general welfare of the community at heart. He is fraternally a mem- ber of the Woodmen of the World, of which he is past officer, and is also associated with the Order of Pendo. A Republican in national pol- itics, he is also a Prohibitionist, and has labored ardently and with good results in the cause of temperance. An essentially moral and upright man, Mr. Olson is also a religious man, and lives up to the tenents of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is trustee and financial agent. Furthermore, his field of usefulness and influence extends to the Young Men's Christian Association, in which he has been active for

years, and which cause he is serving as president of the Oregon City Association.

In Portland Mr. Olson was united in mar- riage with Ann B. Peterson, a native of Norway, and of which union there have been born three children : Raymond Ferdinand, Hazel Arline and Norman Bernard.

WILLIAM L. FARRELL. A general farmer nd potato grower who has achieved marked suc- ess in Multnomah county is William L. Farrell, ole architect of his growing fortunes, and de- endent from earliest youth upon his own un- ided efforts. Born in Casey county, Ky., Sep- ember 24, 1830, he was six years of age when he family removed to Lafayette county, Mo., where he was educated in the subscription chools, and attained his majority on the paternal arm.

Equipped with a fair common school education nd a practical knowledge of farming, Mr. Far- ell started overland for California April 14, 1850, ccompanied by four other men, and six yoke of xen. The dangerous journey was accomplished 1 ninety-six days, and at its expiration the cour- geous overlanders went to work in the mines on le American river, at Horse Shoe Bend. After short experiment Mr. Farrell engaged in placer lining at Placerville, Cal., and in February, 1851, ngaged in street grading in San Francisco. Iay 1, 1851, he boarded the old steamer Sea ull, bound for Portland, fare $80, and upon aching his destination found employment in aming for a sawmill company. At the expira- on of a year he located near the land which con- itutes his present home, but eventually found at the farm of one hundred and sixty acres was actically worthless on account of the high water. herefore, in 1857. he disposed of his property id bought the one hundred and sixty acres upon hich he now lives, and which is a part of the cClung donation claim. There were no im- ovements on the property, but a heavy growth timber presaged an enormous outlay of per- nal effort before seed could be planted or a yield guaranteed. After realizing satisfactorily as a result of his industry he began to sell off his land, until at the present time he owns about thirty acres. He has made a specialty of potato growing, his land yielding abundantly of this much wanted commodity. While developing his land Mr. Farrell has gained a reputation for de- votion to the public welfare which is altogether commendable and argues a wealth of shrewd common sense and progressiveness. A Deino- crat in politics, he was one of the very early supervisors of this county, and has served as school director for several years.

Married February 1, 1853, to Mary Logsdon,

WILLIAM L. PARALEL.

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

essary for all of the eight children of Abraham Olson to assist with the family maintenance, and their arduous duties necessarily limited their educational privileges.

Of the large family which labored from dawn to sunset on the little Swedish farm, Otto F. was the only one whose ambitions dictated re- moval from his native surroundings. At the age of nineteen he therefore emigrated to Amer- ica, and for a year lived on a farm in the vicin- ity of Evanston, Ill. He then entered the employ of Marshall & Co., harvester manufacturers of Sycamore, Ill., and in 1883 became identified with Mandel Brothers, general merchants of State street, Chicago, Il1. At first in a modest capacity. he eventually became assistant engineer and dynamo tender, in all remaining with this enterprising firm for about three and a half years. In 1887 Mr. Olson came to Portland, Ore., and soon after found employment with the United State Electric company, later changed to the Willamette campany, and still later doing business under the name of the Portland Gen- eral Electric Company. With this concern Mr. Olson started in as oiler at the new steam sta- tion works, and after a year became dynamo tender, still later becoming assistant electrician, in 1890 assuming complete charge of the station. Still with the same company, he located in Ore- gon City in 1891, as foreman of Station A, and afterward assumed his present responsibility as head electrician of Station B, which has a horse power capacity of eight thousand, is modern in construction and equipment, and has the latest appliances of electrical science.

With due appreciation of the possibilities of his interesting calling, Mr. Olson has not been content to rest upon the laurels of others inter- ested in electrical achievement, but has added his name to inventors who have materially advanced the scope of electricity. Among the inventions credited to him are patent weather strips, a water gauge reflector and a wire stretcher and tightener. Although a natural mechanic. and more or less of a genius from the standpoint of electrical achievement, Mr. Olson is by no means self-centered, but has the general welfare of the community at heart. He is fraternally a mem- ber of the Woodmen of the World, of which he is past officer, and is also associated with the Order of Pendo. A Republican in national pol- itics, he is also a Prohibitionist, and has labored ardently and with good results in the cause of temperance. An essentially moral and upright man, Mr. Olson is also a religious man, and lives up to the tenents of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is trustee and financial agent. Furthermore, his field of usefulness and influence extends to the Young Men's Christian Association, in which he has been active for

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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 78

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