Portrait and biographical record of Portland and vicinity, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 88

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 88

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Arriving in Portland, Mr. Hunt was variously engaged until his appointment as chief of police in 1892, a change of administration terminating his service in 1894. Since 1897 he has been in- terested in mining in Alaska, and is still general manager of the Roslyn and Deer Park Mining Company, operating paying claims in Gravina and Prince of Wales Islands. Although his second term as chief of police began only in January, 1903, the vigor and thoroughness of his outlined policy is a matter of favorable com- ment, and promises deep inroads into the dis-

semination of crime in the city. The policy of Chief Hunt is vigorous, concise, and to the point, and admits of no deviation or questioning. As evidencing his particular fitness for his office it is known that his memory for faces and names is wonderful, and in fact it is the exception for him to forget them, to the sorrow of many a backslider along the criminal path. Of splendid physicial proportions, he towers six feet and a fraction, his shoulders being developed to a re- markable degree. Everything about him, his personality, manner, voice, gesture, and eye, sug- gest resolution and determination not to be out- witted by any ordinary means. He is a stanch Republican, and since his first voting days has taken a keen interest in the local and other un- dertakings of his party. Through his marriage with Julia M. Lee, of Providence, R. I .. one daughter has been born to Chief Hunt, Fannie, the wife of Charles W. King, the latter a mem- ber of the firm of Olds, Wortman & King.

JEREMIAH STANLEY. Howard county, Mo., was the scene of the early life of Mr. Stan- ley, and there he was born January 25, 1829. Until he was seventeen years of age his time was spent in gaining such an education as the schools of the locality afforded and in assisting in the duties of the farm. About the year 1844 the father removed to Texas with his family, locating in Grayson county. In that early day the woods were filled with wild game, and with his trusty rifle in hand Jeremiah was enabled to secure many a prize. In the winter of 1848 alone, he killed as many as eighteen bears, and during the time he was in Texas he is confident that he killed over two thousand deer. Indians were very troublesome, so much so in fact that it was deemed necessary to build a block house as a place of defense. In 1851 Mr. Stanley returned to Missouri, remaining but a short time, however, and in the spring of 1852 he started across the plains with Oregon as his destination. The trip was laborious, indeed, and not without experi- ences which will be remembered by all of the party, among whom were the father and five children besides Jeremiah. In Multnomah county the father took up a donation claim of three hun- dred and twenty acres, the same property upon which Mr. Bowman now resides, twelve miles from Portland, and here he erected a log house.

In 1853 Jeremiah Stanley took up a donation claim of one hundred and sixty acres, near Rock- wood, on which he now makes his home, and here he erected a log house in which he lived alone for ten years. Bears and deer were plenti- ful and with a bowie knife he brought down seven bears. His first wife, to whom he was married in 1865. was in maidenhood Miss Lucinda Rus-

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sell. They became the parents of six children, only two of whom are living, Joseph and William. Mrs. Lucinda Stanley died July 5, 1895, and August 6, 1896, Mr. Stanley married Mrs. Clar- issa Thorp, the widow of C. H. Thorp. Mr. and Mrs. Thorp started from Warsaw, Ill., in 1864, across the plains and landed first in Idaho, but after residing there for three years came to Portland to make their home. Mr. Stanley has fifty-five acres in his farm, thirty-four of which formed a part of his original donation land. When he settled on it it was heavily timbered, but by persistent efforts he transformed it into a productive tract, upon which he is now suc- cessfully engaged in general farming and fruit raising. Politically Mr. Stanley is a Democrat. For thirteen years he served in the capacity of school director.

WILLIAM M. LYDA. The name of Will- iam M. Lyda is a familiar one in Washington county, and carries with it an impression of sub- stantialty and all around success. For many years his saw mill has been one of the landmarks of this section. It was the second of its kind to be erected anywhere around, and the only one now in existence in this locality. This water power mill still stirs itself into activity when the now aged owner feels physically capable of manip- ulating it, although its resting spells have in- creased with the passing of years. At present Mr. Lyda owns about four hundred acres of land, mostly under timber, and for years he has con- ducted general farming and stock-raising. The improvements which greet the visitor on all sides are entirely the result of application and enter- prise on the part of Mr. Lyda, who has progressed with the times, and justifiably prides himself upon his practical and scientific farming. Fine barns, good outhouses, a pleasant and comfort- able two-story frame house, besides modern im- plements, add to the many excellencies of one of the best improved properties in Washington county.

A native of White county, Tenn., Mr. Lyda was born May 19, 1826, and is of French-German descent. His father, Gideon, married Miranda Devries, a sister of the United States senator from Texas, and thereafter lived in Tennessee until 1837. He then became identified with Cooper county, Mo., two years later removing to Macon county, where his death occurred at the age of seventy-three years. He was known as Captain Lyda, owing to his position with the mustering corps during the war. It is said that he visited St. Louis in 1818, and at that early age engaged in educational work for some time. To himself and wife were born fourteen children,

all of whom grew to maturity, and all of whom married and had homes of their own.

Until his marriage William M. Lyda lived on the paternal farm, and at a very early age evinced habits of thrift and industry. As opportunity offered he attended the early subscription schools, and in time became his father's chief assistant. With his wife, formerly Martha Jane Daugherty, a native of Kentucky, he went to housekeeping in Macon county, Mo., and in 1861 removed to Nebraska, which continued to be their home for fourteen years. For the following three years Mr. Lyda lived in New Mexico, and in 1879 came to Oregon, settling between Hillsboro and Cornel- ius, where they lived for about three years. He then bought one hundred acres of his present farm, erected a sawmill, and later bought the balance of his land, making in all over one thou- sand acres. He now has about four hundred acres.

In political affiliations Mr. Lyda is a Democrat. He is fraternally connected with the Masons, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Lyda, the order of their birth being as follows: Mary F., wife of Daniel Wadham, of New Mexico; Gideon P., of Texas ; Miranda P., wife of George Jones, of Los Angeles, Cal .; Joseph D., of Wash- ington ; William H., of Washington county, Ore. ; Lewis F., deceased ; and an infant deceased. In his personality Mr. Lyda embodies the funda- mentals of typical western citizenship, and though approaching the evening of life, he still maintains an interest in the things that have brought about his success, and in the management of which he has won the respect, honor and good will of his friends and associates.

JOSEPH KRONENBERG. The farm of one hundred and seventy-seven acres owned and occupied by Joseph Kronenberg has proved a profitable investment, the principal value at pres- ent lying in the fact that his industry and ap- plication have accomplished the clearing of one hundred and thirty-five acres. The magnitude of this undertaking can be appreciated by those who settle in the timbers of Oregon, and must labor long and faithfully before the first crop rewards their efforts.

The youth and early manhood of Mr. Kronen- berg were spent in his native land of Germany, where he was born in Fernich, April 28, 1838, and lived on a farm in one of the best agricul- tural districts. His father, Peter K. Kronen- berg, was a saddler by trade, and died when his son Joseph was but six years of age. The youth lived with his mother on the old home place and attended school, and when thirteen years of age accompanied his mother and step-father, one

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brother and two sisters to the United States, where they located on a farm near Milwaukee, Wis. Before immigrating to this country the mother had married William Weck. The family lived in Wisconsin, where Joseph Kronenberg remained until twenty-one years of age. He then went to the Lake Superior copper district, where he worked in the mines for one year, at the end of which time he returned to Wisconsin and en- gaged in farming for a short time. This was followed by a short term at the carpenter's trade. In 1862 he engaged in farming about twenty-five miles north of Milwaukee, and at the expiration of four years removed to Oshkosh, where he be- came the owner of a farm and stone quarry, which combined occupation he maintained until 1876. While a resident of this place he served as councilman from the sixth ward for two years.

In 1877 Mr. Kronenberg came to Oregon, and after a month spent in Portland, came to his present farm, first purchasing one hundred and sixty-five acres. Later he gave twenty acres to his son, and then purchased thirty-two acres of adjoining land and is now the owner of one hun- dred and seventy-five acres.

In 1862 Mr. Kronenberg was united in mar- riage with Miss Magdeline Lutz, of Saukville. WVis. As a result of this union twelve children were born, eight of whom are living. Mr. Kron- enberg has taken a prominent part in the general development of his district, and though not sub- scribing to any political creed, has held several offices within the gift of his fellow townsmen. For a number of years he has been school direct- or and clerk and has faithfully performed his duties in the interest of the community. In 1892, through the efforts of our subject a postoffice was established near his residence, which was given the name of Kronenberg. For four years Mr. Kronenberg served as postmaster, at the end of which time the office was abolished. In 1887 he gave one and one-half acres of ground on which was erccted the St. Joseph Catholic Church. With the exception of two years spent in Califor- nia, Mr. Kronenberg has devoted his whole time to the development of his farm, and it is one of the best improved places in the county.

O. J. EVENSON. One of the largest mills in the Willamette valley is owned by the Portland Lumber Company, of which Mr. Evenson is sec- retary and purchasing agent. When he settled in Portland, in January of 1900, he became inter- ested in the Portland Lumber Company as sec- retary and superintendent of the saw-mill. Under his supervision the work of remodeling was car- ried forward and the mill made ready for active operation. Previous to this about three years he had visited Portland and, with O. A. Ritan, of

Wisconsin, had thoroughly inspected the plant, the result being so satisfactory that they acquired the property by purchase in November, 1899, and a few months later began the task of remodeling the mill, which had been idle for six years. A planing mill was built, dry kilns, docks and sheds put in as needed, and modern machinery added to the equipment of the plant. In 1901 Mr. Even- son was transferred from the position of super- intendent to that of purchasing agent, which he has since filled, and he is justly proud of the fact that the mill has reached a capacity of two hun- dred and fifty thousand feet per day.

Mr. Evenson was born in St. Croix county, Wis., March 17, 1868. His father, W. T., a na- tive of Lillesand, Norway, came to America in young manhood and was later joined by the grandfather, Even, who afterward lived retired until his death. W. T. Evenson began in Wis- consin in a very humble capacity, grasping any opportunity that would add an honest dollar to his savings. Early turning his attention to mill- ing and lumbering, he erected the first saw-mill built at Woodville, Wis., and there he manufac- tured lumber. The Lee & Ingram Lumber Com- pany, which was organized under his supervision, built a mill on the Iron river in Wisconsin, and he was interested in it until two years before his death. Settling in Wisconsin during its terri- torial days, he witnessed and contributed to its development into a prosperous state, and contin- ued until death to make his home at Baldwin, although he died in Minneapolis. Scarcely a man in St. Croix county was more prominent than he. and his prominence in local affairs was especially noticeable in his support of the Republican party and the Baptist Church. All through his life in America his brother, J. C., was interested in business with him at Baldwin, and almost the last benevolence of his life was the contribution, with this brother, of sufficient funds to build a church in Baldwin and one in their native place in Nor- way.

The marriage of W. T. Evenson united him with Esther Lythson, a Norwegian girl who came to America with her parents in 1854 and settled in Stoughton, Wis. Her arrival in that town was fraught with the deepest grief, for her father. mother and two oldest brothers died of cholera in the depot there, leaving her, a fourteen-year- old girl, and the oldest of four children. The responsibility was not too heavy for her youthful years. She secured places for the others and al- ways maintained a careful oversight regarding their welfare. She is still living and makes her home in Baldwin, Wis. Of her family there are ten children, the eight sons being named as fol- lows: J. O., of Woodville, Wis .; E. C., a lum- berman at Ashland, Ore .: S. B., a contractor and builder in Tacoma, Wash .; O. J., of Portland ;

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F. M., a lumberman, of Knappton, Wash .; W. E., a millwright in Multnomah county ; J. A., who is night engineer for the Portland Lumber Com- pany ; and L. F., a band-saw filer, also employed in this mill. The two daughters remain in Wis- consin.

The earliest recollections of O. J. Evenson are associated with the lumbering business. It is im- possible for him to recall when he acquired huis first knowledge of the occupation. On leaving River Falls Academy, at the age of seventeen, he went to Barronett, Wis., and for four years worked in a saw-mill, where he filled various po- sitions ranging from the smallest salary up. In 1890 he came to the northwest, settling in Ta- coma, where he engaged at millwrighting. On his return to Wisconsin, in 1891, he assisted in erecting a mill at Iron river, and on its comple- tion was made superintendent, in which capacity he continued until his removal to Portland in 1900. While in Tacoma he married Mulvina Govertson, who was born in Blicksund, Norway, and they have three sons, Willard, Franklin and Clarence. Politically he votes the Republican ticket. In religion he is connected with the Im- manuel Baptist Church and a member of its board of trustees.

JOHN HARRIS, who' until recently was en- gaged in general farming, was born in Oneida county, N. Y., January 29, 1833, and the days of his early boyhood were passed upon the farm where his birth occurred. There he remained until thirteen years of age, when his parents re- moved to Marquette county, Wis., settling upon a farm, and to agricultural pursuits in that state John Harris devoted his energies until December, 1861, when, prompted by a spirit of patriotism, lie responded to his country's call and became a private of the Ninth Wisconsin Artillery. The regiment was sent to Kansas to serve upon the frontier and did duty in that state and in Colo- rado, also going to Fort Union, Mexico. Mr. Harris participated in a number of engagements with the Indians and on one occasion he was accidentally wounded in the left shoulder. He served for forty-seven months upon the frontier and after the cessation of hostilities he returned to his Wisconsin home, where he remained until 1867, when he removed to Dodge county, Iowa, there living for eighteen months. On the expira- tion of that period he took up his abode in Mar- shall county, Iowa. While residing there Mr. Harris was united in marriage to Miss Mary Bell, and of this union six children have been born : Emma, the wife of Clyde Atkins; William A., who operates his father's farm; John L .; Al- fonzo; Lorenzo, who is in California ; and Fredd.

In 1875 Mr. Harris left Iowa for Oregon and

took up his abode in Yamhill county near West Chehalem, where he secured one hundred and thirty-six acres of government land, which he transformed into a good farm. In November, 1903, he moved to a farm of one hundred and forty-seven acres located partly in Yamhill and partly in Washington counties. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and in his political views is a Republican, but while he be- lieves firmly in the principles of the party he has never had time nor desire for public office and has given his attention entirely to farm work, with the result that he has secured a comfortable competence and become the possessor of a good property. The work of the farm is now largely carried on by his sons, he having retired from active business.

ARCHIE CORNUTT. Of the struggles of the pioneers who came to the western states and battled with obstacles in order to gain a foothold one who has not experienced the life can scarcely form an idea. About 1844 Alfred and Polly Cor- nutt, with their ten children, started from Grayson county, Va., and landed first in Jackson county, Mo. This was their home for some time, but they later moved to Van Buren county, that state, making it their abiding place until the spring of 1853. In the latter year they started across the country with three yoke of oxen and two wagons and landed first at Fort Bridger, from there work- ing their way to Powder river. During the jour- ney their money gave out, and provisions be- came low, and they were obliged to subsist almost entirely on dried fruit. At what is now Baker City the father traded his oxen for provisions for the sustenance of the family and to furnish trans- portation to Portland or Scott's Landing. From there they went to Hillsboro, Washington county, and there they were also obliged to undergo pri- vations, as during the winter which they spent there they could obtain no flour, and potatoes had to answer the purpose of bread. Taking up land there, the father made it his home from 1854 until 1857, in which year he bought one hundred and sixty acres where Cotton's dairy now stands, near Gresham. He sold this, however, in 1868 and went to southern Oregon, where his death oc- curred when he was sixty-seven years of age.

Archie Cornutt was born in Grayson county, Va., May 8, 1837. Moving with his parents in their migration to the west, he found it necessary to find employment to help in the maintenance of the family, and at sixteen years of age began working for wages. In the spring of 1862 he went to Baker City, Idaho, engaging in mining during the summer, and in February following he went to Basin, that state, and was interested in mining operations for two years. At the ex-

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piration of this time he went back to Oregon and purchased the farm on which he now resides, near Gresham. The tract comprises eighty-three acres, and though it is not a large farm it is well im- proved and a credit to the owner.

In May, 1887, Mr. Cornutt married Miss Mag- gie Taylor and they have two children : John D. T. and Thursey. In his boyhood Mr. Cornutt was quite an expert with his gun and brought down many deer, bear and elk, the latter being especially plentiful. On one occasion he killed a bear by the light of a lantern. Politically he is a Democrat, and holds membership in the Metho- dist church, of which he has been deacon for a number of years.

R. A. MARSHALL. Preceded by many years of almost unparalleled success as a cement and art stone contractor throughout California, with headquarters in Oakland, R. A. Marshall came to Portland in the spring of 1902, and has since been in partnership with his brother, J. A., in conducting the largest and most profitable cement contracting business in this town. How- ever, this statement of facts but inadequately defines the position of Mr. Marshall, nor does it convey the proper impression of his versatility, popularity, or broad citizenship.

The Marshall ancestry is an interesting one. and has been connected with the vital events in American history. Years before the Revolu- tionary war, one William Marshall came from England and settled in New York state, where his children became known as land owners and promoters of general prosperity. The great- great-grandfather, William, was a soldier during the Revolution, and the great-grandfather, an- other William, owned a line of vessels through the capture of which, by the French, he lost heavily during the war of 1812. The paternal grandfather, the third William in the family, was born in New York state, and when a young man settled near Cincinnati, Ohio, in which city he afterward became a general merchant. William Albert Marshall, the father of R. A., was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and after removing to Henry county, Ill., engaged in the mercantile business. During the Civil war he enlisted as a private in the Fifty-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and finally became captain of his company. He was in the service for four years and three months, and while in Missouri was wounded in the skir- mish with Generals Price and Van Dorn. This disaster proved his death warrant, for though he lived three years after the restoration of peace, his end was directly traceable to the wound. His wife, who now lives in Oakland, was former- ly Sarah J. Rouse, a native of Cincinnati, and daughter of Derrick Rouse, a native of Penn-

sylvania, and who settled in Ohio when a young man. Mr. Rouse was for many years engaged in mining in the west, principally in Idaho and Arizona, in which latter state his death occurred.

A native of Woodhull, Henry county, Ill., R. A. Marshall was born December 23, 1861, and eight years later, in 1869, removed with his mother to San Francisco, via Panama, and from there to San Leandro, Alameda county. He received a limited education in the public schools, and it developed that he was the sort of youth who learned more from experience than books, and more from observation than in any other way. That he was precocious was demonstrated by the fact that at the age of fifteen he started in upon a journalistic career, and for about ten years was the moving spirit in the office of the San Lean- dro Reporter, a periodical still distributing news to an appreciative public. In 1887 he sought for broader fields of newspaper activity, and found his desire in Los Angeles, southern California, where he started the Burbank Times and in connection therewith managed also the New- hall Times and the San Fernando Times.

While still managing his triple newspaper en- terprise, Mr. Marshall became interested in the Providential Land, Water & Development Com- pany, and also held various political offices, among them being that of justice of the peace of Los Angeles township, and city justice and police judge. At the expiration of three years he was obliged to surrender his other interests to accept the office of deputy county clerk under T. H. Ward, and in 1894 he became chief dep- uty clerk of the supreme court of California, this necessitating his removal to the headquarters in San Francisco. in January, 1895. In 1899 Mr. Marshall was appointed secretary of the supreme court. from which office he resigned April 5. 1901. In the meantime. for a number of years, he had been interested in the cement contracting business with his brother. J. A. Mar- shall, who was unquestionably one of the most expert in his line in the state. and who had filled many of the most ambitious and heavy contracts to be found in California. The enor- mity of the business called for more time and energy than the brother found it possible to expend, and this fact was the prime reason for the resignation of R. A. from his political hon- ors. In 1902 Marshall Brothers sold their Cali- ifornia interests and removed to Portland, where a repetition of their former success was a fore- gone conclusion. Here they have accomplished some of the most substantial and artistic con- crete work to be found in any country, and they are unquestionably among the most resourceful in their line of any on the coast.

In Benicia, Cal., Mr. Marshall was united in marriage with Emma S. Fleming, of Alameda

Dabarstens

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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 88

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