Portrait and biographical record of Portland and vicinity, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 93

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 93

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Though successful in a gratifying degree in his Iowa home, Mr. Horton was not entirely satis- fied, and in 1886 he came to Oregon in search of larger opportunities than his former home had afforded. Shortly after his arrival he bought a farm near Needy and at once turned his atten- tion to the improvement of the tract of eighty acres. In 1892 he settled in Oregon City and during the same year received from the Republi- cans the nomination for county clerk, to which he was elected by a good majority. At the ex- piration of his term, in 1894, he was re-elected county clerk, serving altogether from July of 1892 to July of 1896. Next he embarked in the grocery business, which he followed for six months, and then disposed of the store. His services in behalf of the Republican party re- ceived fitting recognition January 31, 1898, when President Mckinley appointed him postmaster at Oregon City, the nomination being conferred up- on him over several other applicants. On the Ist of April he assumed the duties of the office, which he has filled in a manner satisfactory not only to those of his own party, but to the general public, irrespective of political affiliations. His party has received special service from him as a member of the county central committee and, in 1896, as a member of the congressional comt- mittee.

The marriage of Mr. Horton, in Martinsburg, Iowa, united him with Susan Eyestone, who was born at Lagro, Ind., and in childhood settled in Iowa, from which state she accompanied Mr. Horton to Oregon. In religion she affiliates with the Methodist Church. The two sons born of her union are Gilbert H. and Eugene B., both gradu- ates of the Oregon City high school and bright, promising young men. The older son is now a clerk in the postoffice. In memory of his days of service at the front. Mr. Horton holds connection with the Grand Army of the Republic, his mem- bership being in Meade Post No. 2. Before leav- ing Iowa he became identified with Martinsburg Lodge No. 106. A. F. & A. M., and now affiliates with Multnomah Lodge No. I. He is also con-

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nected with Clackamas Chapter No. 2, R. A. M., ginia. The elder Bush removed from his native and is associated with the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

J. P. WEST, a farmer of Columbia county, and one of the seven children of W. W. and Maria ( Bailey) West, was born in Portage county, Wis., September 9, 1853, and with his parents crossed the plains during the latter part of '60 and the spring of '61. His father, men- tioned at length in another part of this work, was born in Broome county, N. Y., and became one of the very prominent upbuilders of Colum- bia county, being both a farmer and merchant.

Equipped with a common school and Pacific University education, J. P. West left the paternal ranch half a mile from Scappoose, at the age of twenty-one, and engaged in stock-raising in eastern Washington. He was well impressed with the place, remained for ten years, and experi- enced considerable success in that fine grazing section. In the state of Washington, April 24. 1877, he was united in marriage with Eva M. Johnson, who was born in Oregon, and with whom he removed to this state in 1885, taking up his residence at Scappoose. In 1887 he located in Portland, lived there for nearly six years, and in 1892 bought the place where he now lives, and which comprises one hundred and thirty acres. Originally the farm was entirely without improvement, and the present aspect of prosper- ity and neatness is due entirely to the indefatig- able energy and good management of Mr. West. A model dairy is one of the departments in which the owner of this property takes most interest, he having a high grade of dairy cattle, and milking about twenty cows.

Although independent in politics Mr. West takes a keen interest in the politics of his neigh- borhood, and has materially aided in the election of many of his worthy friends. Fraternally he is associated with the Artisans. Five children were born to himself and wife, of whom Willian WV. and Dessie are living at home, while three children died in infancy. Mr. West is energetic and progressive, and is accounted one of the reliable and conscientious members of the com- munity.

H. M. BUSH. The foreman of the mill of the J. H. Jones Lumber Company has not se- cured his responsible position through any par- ticular favor, but through long years of ex- perience in learning the business from the bottom up. Mr. Bush is a native son of Ore- gon, and was born on his father's farm near Hillsboro, Washington county, April 22, 1867, a son of John H. Bush, a native of West Vir-

state of Illinois, and in 1862 crossed the plains with ox teams, settling on a farm in Washing- ton county. His wife, Hannah (Osborn) Bush, was born in Harrisville, N. Y., and came to Oregon with her sister in 1862 or '63, the lat- ter of whom died in the city of Portland.

On the home farm Mr. Bush acquired that independence which comes from making a good living, from leading a well directed life, and cultivating health through the medium of plenty of exercise and healthful food. At the same time he absorbed such knowledge as was dis- pensed at the near-by district school, and which went well with his natural thrift and industry. When of age he became identified with the J. H. Jones Lumber Company, and through all the intervening years has continued with them with the exception of one and one-half years with the Northern Pacific Saw Mill Company and the same length of time with the J. A. Martin Com- pany. Beginning with the most menial and ir- responsible work in the mills, he progressed gradually and intelligently, and when a foreman was needed in 1898 it seemed a very natural thing for him to be asked to undertake the task. Mr. Bush understands dealing with men, and his tact. and wide knowledge of human nature enable him to amicably adjust what to many would be regarded as cause for friction.

Although leading a very busy life, Mr. Bush has found time to interest himself in the affairs by which he is surrounded, both political and social. His first presidential vote was cast for a Republican candidate, and he has since stanchly upheld the principles of that party. He is a member of the Republican Club, and was presi- dent of the Seventh Ward Republican Club for seven years. He has also served on the county central committee for one term. Fraternally Mr. Bush is connected with the Willamette Lodge No. 2, F. & A. M .; the Artisans; and the Abernethy Cabin, Native Sons of Oregon.

GEORGE W. HOYT. A well known figure in both the earlier and later stages of Port- land's development was that of George W. Hoyt, for about forty years identified with shipping and shore interests, and a shareholder in the Oregon Railroad & Navigation Company from the time of its organization until three years before his death. September 9, 1892. Mr. Hoyt possessed the steady and reliable characteristics of his Dutch ancestors, and while his career was at no time exceptional, it was worthy of emulation from the standpoint of substantial and well founded success.

The Hoyt ancestors were among the very early settlers of New England, and George W.

A Holaday Sr.

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represented the eighth generation from John, who came from Holland with his brother Simon, and settled at Salisbury, Mass. Born in Albany, N. Y., he was a son of Richard, and grandson of Stephen Hoyt, the latter of whom was a lieu- tenant in the Revolutionary war, participating in the battle of Bunker Hill, and being present at the surrender of Burgoyne. Stephen was a son of Stephen, who was killed in the Indian wars prior to the Revolution. Richard Hoyt was an educator during the greater part of his life, his last years being spent at the home of his son, George, where his death occurred in July, 1866, at the age of seventy-eight years. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. Con- sidering his time, George W. Hoyt received a good education, and his life would probably have been spent in the east had not Capt. Richard Hoyt, who had come to Oregon at an early day, sent for him to bring his wife and children on to Oregon. This he did, making the journey by way of the Isthmus in 1851. From San Fran- cisco he went to the mines of California, and in 1852, somewhat richer for his mining ex- perience, came to Oregon, joining his brother, who was extensively engaged in the steamboat business in Portland. For a number of years he worked on his brother's boats in one capacity or another, and also spent some time in the mines of the southern and eastern parts of the state. At the time of the merging of the Ore- gon Steam Navigation Company into the Ore- gon Railroad & Navigation Company, he was in the employ of the former as wharf clerk in the freight department, and he continued with the new company, finally succeeding to a con- siderable share of the company's stock. His entire association with boating interests covered a period of forty years, and during that time it is safe to say no one ever more faithfully or disinterestedly performed his duty.

In 1863 Mr. Hoyt returned to the east for a visit, and on this trip had quite an exciting ex- perience, the steamer upon which he traveled being chased by the pirate boat Alabama. No- vember 30, 1865. he was united in marriage with Martha A. Graham, who was born at Corn- wall, near Newburg, on the Hudson river, in July, 1836, and who is of English descent. Mr. Hoyt removed to the house now occupied by his widow, at No. 153 North Sixteenth street, in 1883, and here the last three years of his life were spent in comparative retirement. He was politically allied with the Republican party, and although never an office seeker, served in the city council one term. His well known ability caused his friends to turn to him for important offices, but he invariably declined, having no special liking for the stress and uncertainty of public life. He was sincerely devoted to his

family, his friends, and his business interests, and few men possessed more lovable or trust- worthy characteristics. To him, personal honor meant more than popularity, influence, money or the praise of the multitude, and he calmly took his way among the ever changing condi- tions, impressing all with his rectitude and calm conservatism. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hoyt, of whom the oldest son, George WV., was born October 15, 1866. He married Pearl M. Shaver, daughter of Capt. G. W. Shaver, and has a daughter, Martha S., born in 1897. Martha A., the second child and oldest daughter, is a graduate of St. Helen's Hall, and is making her home with her mother. Susan G. was born February 6, 1871, and died in 1873. Frances G., who graduated from Wellesley Col- lege, Mass., became the wife of Robert W. Lewis, and has two children, Cicero Hunt Lewis and Robert Wilson, Jr.

ASA HOLADAY. The Monte Vista Nur- sery, located one and a half miles south of Scap- poose, was founded by Asa Holaday, an expe- rienced man in his line, who has built up a really creditable industry. In 1894, however, he turned the management over to his son Asa, Jr. The father came to the farm in 1885. bought fifteen acres in the rough, and converted ten acres into apple, pear and prune trees, while the balance is devoted to the nursery. This well managed and thoroughly established enterprise has more than a local reputation and patronage and has netted its ambitious projector a hand- some income.

Of southern Quaker ancestry, Mr. Holaday was born in Rockville, Ind., August 18, 1828, and his youth passed without particular incident in the town of his birth. The education acquired about this time was that of the public schools, where he diligently applied himself during his leisure hours, and where he laid the foundation for the deeper research of more recent years. While still a lad he began to work in a neighbor- ing nursery, and became so interested in this continually enlarging occupation that he later de- voted all of his time to it. Armed with a prac- tical experience acquired in this nursery he came to the west in 1853, making the trip overland with ox teams, and locating in Placerville, Cal .. for six and a half months. For about four years he followed fickle golden fortune in the mines of California, meeting with average, rather than exceptional, success. 1857 found him in the neighborhood of John Brown in Kansas, becom- ing prominent in his locality, and ardently working to make Kansas a free state. In Frank- lin county he took up a large land claim, and while improving the same, filled some positions

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of trust in the community. He was a member of the state militia Home Guards in Kansas, and was fairly successful in his business projects.

In 1872 MIr. Holaday took up his residence in Denver, Colo., where he engaged in gardening for about twelve years, meeting with deserved success. From Denver he came to Oregon in 1883. While in Kansas he was united in mar- riage, December 4, 1858, with Mary E. Whytal, who was born in Nova Scotia, and who removed to Kansas with her brother in 1857. Of this union there have been born four sons, of whom Samuel Leslie is living at home; Duncan is in Denver; Joseph lives in Columbia county; and Asa, Jr .. has charge of his father's farm. Al- though reared in the Quaker faith, Mr. Holaday is a member of the Congregational Church. He is a Republican in politics, and while in Kansas was justice of the peace for several years.

JAMES F. MARKLE. As much as any de- veloping agency in Oregon, the occupation of sawmilling has offered inducements to men of business ability and large expectations, and has seemed to fascinate with its possibility and near- ness to nature, the devotees of its noisy but clean activity. To James F. Markle, superintendent of the Portland Lumber Company's mill. saw- milling is second nature, and it is doubtful if his genial and optimistic nature could retain its charm. could he not breathe the sawdust laden air, and hear continually the whirr of saws and the groans of active machinery. Many years ago Mr. Markle passed the age of experimental saw- milling, and is today one of the most expert in his line in the state of Oregon, and one of the best in the United States.

In all truth it may be said that Mr. Markle's appreciation of everything connected with forests is partly due to inheritance, and therefore the more deeply seated. He was reared on forest land near Belleville, Canada, where he was born August 19. 1848. and where his family was es- tablished by his paternal grandfather, Jacob, a native of Pennsylvania. This early settler among the Canadian timber land owned large tracts near Belleville, which his son, William, the father of James F., and himself a native of Pennsylvania, utilized to the full in his capacity of miller. William Markle was a millwright by trade and built and operated various mills in Ontario, eventually removing to Menominee, Mich., where he continued to operate mills. After living for a time in Minnesota he removed to Seattle in 1886, and at the present time is living retired, at the age of eighty-six. after an unusually active life as a millwright. During the Civil war he served in the Twenty-ninth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, participated in many important battles,

and was wounded while in the service. His wife, formerly Sarah Bridges, was born in London, England, a daughter of Rev. John Bridges. a Baptist clergyman and early settler in Ontario: she died in Ballard, Wash., after rearing a fam- ily of eleven children, of whom James F. is the oldest.

From his fourth year James F. Markle was reared in Madison. Wis., afterward going to Watertown. Wis., where his more advanced edu- cation was received. The opportunity to serve in the Civil war was a grateful change in an otherwise uneventful youth, and he enlisted as a private in the Forty-seventh Wisconsin Volun- teer Infantry. Company G, and was mustered in at Camp Randall. With Sherman's army he was sent to Tennessee, and there participated in the battles of Missionary Ridge, Lookout Mountain. Chickamauga, all the battles of the Atlantic campaign, and later the battles of Spring Hill, Franklin and Nashville, being mustered out of the service November 23. 1865.

Following his military experience Mr. Markle engaged in sawmilling with his father, and also learned the millwright and machinist's trade in Fond du Lac. Wis. For three years he lived in Green Bay, where his father built the great mill, of which the son became foreman, and he after- ward assumed charge of a mill in Menominee, with which he was connected for fifteen years. For twelve and a half years he was with the Menominee River Lumber Company, and for two years with the Detroit Lumber Company. Later he went to Garden Bay, Mich., and had charge of the mill for the firm of Van Winkle & Montaugute for five years, and for the follow- ing year was with the Detroit Company in Me- nominee. Mr. Markle was superintendent of construction for the Interior Lumber Company of Interior, Mich., for five years. and afterward was with the Marinette Lumber Company and the T. L. Thompson Lumber Company of Washburn. Wis .. remaining with the latter for two years. He next ran the mill on the Thomas Nestor es- tate at Baraga, Mich., and when four years had transpired went to Ackley, Minn .. and built a mill for the T. B. Walker Lumber Company. After having charge of this mill for two years he came west to Washington, remaining at Clear Lake from 1800 until November, 1901. after which he built the sawmill for the Larson Lum- ber Company at Whatcom, remaining in charge thereof until resigning to accept his present posi- tion as superintendent of the mills of the Port- land Lumber Company.

In Green Bay, Wis., Mr. Markle married Mary Parish, a native of Green Bay, and of this union there were born eleven children, four of whom arc living: Mary, now Mrs. Armstrong of Everett, Mich .; Jemima, now Mrs. Willett of

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Washington ; James C., Jr., engaged in lumber- ing in Ackley, Minn .; and Florence, living at home. Fraternally Mr. Markle is connected with the Marinette ( Wisconsin) Lodge No. 182, F. & A. M., of which he has been past master for three years; and with the Grand Army of the Republic No. 266 of Menominee, Mich. Mrs. Markle is a member of the Episcopal Church.

PRESTON CARTER SMITH. But a few years have elapsed since the death of one of Portland's fine characters, embodied in the life of Preston Carter Smith, a native of the city wherein so many of his years were spent and where men came to know and appreciate the noble qualities which distinguished him. He was one of the most progressive young men of the community during his brief life, for he was but thirty-nine years old at the time of his death, and having as an inheritance a keen and dis- criminating business talent and clean cut, decisive methods he gave, for a time, a strong impetus to the commercial activity of Portland. He was also endowed with that higher, more evanescent power of mind that speaks through the pen, and though he never aspired to authorship the talent was visible in his mode of living, directing his thoughts toward an ideality which made him in- finitely dear to those who came in close contact with him.

Mr. Smith was born in Portland, June 19, 1857, the youngest son of Joseph S. and Jane (Carter) Smith, two well known and honored pioneers of Oregon. At an early age he evinced a fondness for reading which always placed him in the front ranks in his school work, his pre- liminary education being received through the medium of the public and private schools of this city and Santa Clara College, California. On completion he went to Carlisle, Pa., and was there graduated from college. after a pleasant and profitable sojourn under the hospitable roof and among the pleasant scenes of Dickinson Col- lege. Mr. Smith there became one of the most popular students, his cordial, courteous manner winning him many friends. While a student he took a very prominent part in all sports, excel- ling as an athlete and especially as a member of the ball team. He was also very active in the Chi Phi fraternity to which he belonged, that being the only order with which he ever affil- iated. After his graduation Mr. Smith did not return to Portland, but settled down in Alabama to a business career, having previously traveled throughout the United States for several months, and he there married Miss Jeannie Williamson. who was of Scotch and English ancestry, and of a very old and respected family of the south.

To his old home in Portland, Mr. Smith re-

turned about a year later, recalled by the ill health of his father who required an assistant in looking after his extensive business interests. The management of the affairs passed entirely into the hands of our subject and that they were ably managed is the verdict of all who were in- timate with the family at that time. Upon the death of his father he settled up the estate and each of the three children were left independent. At one time Mr. Smith had taken up the study of law, but on account of failing eyesight was compelled to forego the pleasure of a complete mastery of the subject, and through a rather delicate organization he was also unable to en- gage unreservedly in business ventures. Pos- sessed, however, of a wonderful vitality, he gave himself entirely to whatever he had in hand, with a determination to bring his projects to a successful termination if it lay within the bounds of human possibility, and this trait has left be- hind him a memorial in the minds of mature business men, for a recognition of his executive ability and far reaching judgment was compelled by the masterly manner in which he completed his work. It was with men of this character that Mr. Smith associated in the settlement of his father's estate and they looked upon him as a companion and an advisor, for he not only in- herited from his father the qualities which make successful business men but his natural tendency was for a business career.

With his share of the property Mr. Smith be- gan making investments which brought him large returns. In 1891 his real estate was rated at over a half million dollars. He engaged exten- sively in the lumber business of the city and be- came part owner of the largest saw mill in Port- land, which was inherited from his father and to the management of which he gave his personal attention. He was also one of the organizers and incorporators of the Ainsworth National Bank and one of the largest stockholders in the institution, of which he became a director, hold- ing the position until compelled to retire on ac- count of failing health. He disposed of his in- terests in 1891. One business venture of Mr. Smith's was his championship of the cable road of Portland, which had been tried by others and given up as a poor investment, and with the same courage and determination which had al- ways distinguished his efforts he fought his way against opposition and brought the work to a successful termination. He had won, but success was quickly followed by failure, for the financial crisis of 1892 interrupted commercial and indus- trial activity all over the country and no place more than in the growing west, and electricity then succeeded the cable and he lost heavily in the transaction. Being now compelled to with- draw entirely from business activity. he sought

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in every way to recover his health but his life span was complete, for he passed away February 13, 1897.

In all business dealings Mr. Smith had acted ever with straightforwardness and honesty, and once taking a stand he believed to be right he never retreated. As a stanch Democrat politi- cally he was an active party man but never cared to receive official recognition. He was tendered the nomination for governor at a convention held at Astoria, and not being present through the illness of his wife and also his own ill health, he received a telegram asking if he would be a candidate and he replied that he would not, though the convention delayed three hours en- deavoring to persuade him to rescind his answer. At the time the leaders of the Republican party declared that had he become a candidate he would have met with no opposition. As to the charity in which Mr. Smith had acted upon no man can say, for though it was known that no one ever sought in vain for assistance, the number who found the helpful and ready hand of Mr. Smith reached toward them in their need can never be known. He evidently believed in the biblical injunction and kept the record of his own good deeds hidden in the recesses of his own soul. That his friends are numbered in all sta- tions of life speaks eloquently of the work which he accomplished during his too brief years. So- cially he was a charter member of the Arlington Club for many years, serving as president one term. Public spirited, he gave liberally of his means toward the accomplishment of all worthy movements calculated to increase the general wel- fare and was vitally interested in the prosperity of his native city. Personally he was a man no one could fail to respect and like, for he was possessed of many qualities which were admir- able in themselves and contributed to the pleas- ure and enjoyment of others. He was an accom- plished musician and the best billiard player in the northwest, and also possessed such excellent command of the English language that he was an eloquent speaker and writer. A letter written by him to his wife and shown to Clement C. Clay, a scholar and a member of the cabinet of Jefferson Davis, called forth the remark: "He ought to be an author as he combines the humor of an Irving with the diction of a De Quincey, and you should prevail upon him to turn his at- tention to literary work."

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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 93

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