Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 110

Author: Chapman Publishing Company, Chicago
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago, The Chapman Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1622

USA > Oregon > Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present > Part 110

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

WILLIAM FRY. A venerable and very highly esteemed citizen who was formerly closely identified with the colony at Bethel, Mo., and later at Aurora, and who is still a resident of this favored city, is William Fry, a blacksmith by trade, and a man of sterling characteristics. Mr. Fry passed the first years of his life in Hunt ington county, Pa., where he was born Septem- ber 16, 1835. About 1845 he removed with his parents to Bethel, Mo., and at a later period moved to Adair county, Mo., where he plied his trade as blacksmith, and also engaged in farm- ing.

In 1863 Mr. Fry became a resident of Aurora, Ore., having crossed the plains with ox teams, and taking five months for the journey. His experiences on the plains were of a more peace- ful nature than those which characterized the journeyings of earlier emigrants, and he arrived at his destination in good health and spirits. He at once started up a little blacksmith shop, the first in the city, and he has never had a com- petitor in the business. Needless to say he has a flourishing business, and is known as a master workman throughout the surrounding country. He is the owner of a ten-acre home near the town, where he raises staple commodities, and has a pleasant and home-like residence. Here live his wife, formerly Anna Miller, a native of Columbi- ana county, Ohio, born in 1841 ; and four children, Andrew M., George W., Matilda. and Walter O.

A Republican in politics, Mr. Frv has held numerous offices of trust and responsibility in the city, including that of councilman for nine terms, an office which he still occupies with great credit. He has always taken an interest in the cause of

education, and has served for three terms as a member of the school board. Some military ex- perience has enlivened the career of Mr. Fry, who enlisted in Company E, Missouri Home Guards, at Kirksville, Mo., and was elected Scc- ond lieutenant and served until his leave of ab- sence in order to come to Oregon. Mr. Fry is a natural mechanic, and a large share of his success along this line is due to the fact that congenial work makes the successful workman. His business methods are above reproach, and his name stands for integrity and reliability.

GEORGE W. L. VINTON. Of fine old Co- lonial ancestry, George W. L. Vinton, one of the foremost farmers of Marion county, was born in Boston, Mass., December 25, 1823. From an industrious and worthy sire he inherited traits of industry and thrift, his father being a cooper by trade, and a fairly successful man. The elder Vinton was not unmindful of his duties as a citi- zen of a grief-stricken republic, and in 1812 re- sponded to the call for soldiers, serving the American cause as became a strong and rugged personality. He was three times married, and his useful life extended beyond the biblical al- lotment of seventy years.

The advantages of the public schools fell to the lot of George W. L. Vinton, and he naturally connected the future with some one of the useful trades, finally selecting that of the painter, for which he served an apprenticeship of three years. Thereafter he plied his trade for about five years. In 1848 he removed to Illinois, locating on a farm in Bureau county. In 1853 he was united in marriage with Alfreda Wilbur, who was born in Pennsylvania. They resided in Illinois until 1861, when they removed to Iowa, where they remained until 1864. Of ambitious tendencies, Mr. Vinton foresaw in the far west opportunities not found in Iowa, and therefore emigrated to Oregon in 1864, being one of a train of one hundred and twenty-four wagons under command of Captain Hulbert. Mr. Vinton himself had eight yoke of oxen, and was on the way about seven months.

In Marion county Mr. Vinton settled on a claim twelve miles east of Salem, and at the expiration of eighteen months rented a place on Howell prairie for about a year. Following this he worked at his trade for about four years, and in 1870 bought his present home of three hundred acres fourteen miles from Salem, on the Howell Prairie road. The clearing of his land presented a large labor problem. but the present owner has succeeded to the extent of about fifty acres, which is devoted to general farming and stock-raising. A well appointed home, substantial barns and out- buildings, and up-to-date agricultural implements

796

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

are among the additions inaugurated by the en- terprise and thrift of this successful farmer.

Politics have not escaped the attention of Mr. Vinton, who is a stanch upholder of Repub- lican principles, and who has acceptably served as supervisor and school clerk. Eight children have been born into this family, of whom Charles W. is a resident of Albino; Cora A. was married to William Ramsdon, but is now deceased ; Mary B. is the wife of John Waltman of this vicinity ; H. Almina is the wife of C. McElwain, of Fruit- land ; Anna Eva became the wife of E. Stevens, but is now deceased ; George W. L., Jr., lives at his father's; Walter Augustus lives on North Howell prairie; and Arthur G. is still at home.

HENRY J. MILLER is one of the young men of Aurora who, recognizing an opportunity, has taken advantage of it, and by sheer force of will power and business judgment has dignified his undertakings with large success. Ten years ago Mr. Miller started, with a capital consisting of brains and determination, to buy hops on a small scale, and so well has he succeeded that he is to-day a large property owner, and one of the most substantial men in the town. The adapta- tions of the surrounding country to the raising of hops has been his great opportunity, and he buys in large quantities, and ships to the mar- kets of New York and London. He is one of the best judges of this commodity in the county, and his operations influence the price of hops to a material extent.

Mr. Miller is a native son of Aurora, of whom his fellow-townsmen are justly proud. He was born here January 14, 1873, his father, Joseph Miller, having been born in Bethel, Mo. The elder Miller came to Oregon in 1863 with a col- ony, bringing his possessions with ox teams, and experiencing the usual number of adventures on the way. He located with his family near Aurora, and is at present a resident of the town. being sixty-three years of age. His wife, Gert- rude (Schuele) Miller, was born in Missouri, . and crossed the plains in 1863. She is the mother of a son and five daughters.

Henry J. Miller was educated in the public schools, and at the age of twenty began his ac- tive business career. In Aurora he owns the property upon which the postoffice is erected, and he also owns property on the corner of Washing- ton and Twelfth streets, Portland. This prop- erty has all been bought with the money earned from his hop enterprises, and certainly reflects vast credit upon this enterprising and popular young man.

In politics Mr. Miller is a Republican, but as vet he has taken no special interest in the local undertakings of his party, aside from serving as

clerk of the school board. Fraternally he is con- nected with the Knights of Pythias and the Rath- bone Sisters. Mr. Miller is unmarried and lives with his parents.

ELMER W. FINZER, D. D. S. A lucrative practice is always the aim of the professional man, and the subject of this review has attained a position in Woodburn, Ore., of which many men of maturer years and time of service might well be proud. A member of an old and much respected family, the ancestral history is covered in the review of a brother, Capt. W. E. Finzer. The name of Finzer retains in a marked degree the business and moral worth so characteristic of the children of Switzerland.

Dr. Finzer is the third of nine children born to Benjamin and Elizabeth ( Hostettler) Finzer, and was born near Shanesville, Tuscarawas coun- ty, Ohio, June 22, 1871. While his father was engaged in working at his trade of carpenter, Elmer Finzer was attending the public schools of that place, preparing himself for the future. In 1888 he accompanied the family to Oregon. They settled in Woodburn, and here he com- pleted his education, and was employed as a clerk in a general merchandise store where he gained a practical business education. He was one of those enterprising lads who have the ability to succeed in the face of many obstacles, and after due consideration of the lucrative pro- fessions, the possibilities of dentistry appealed to him. In 1894 he began as assistant to Dr. George L. Fox of Woodburn, remaining for two years, then with Dr. G. H. Marker of this city, where he remained three years, and in June, 1899, successfully passed the examination before the State Board of Dental Examiners. Upon receiv- ing his certificate he at once opened an office in Woodburn, where he has built up a practice in a short time far beyond his expectations. To keep in touch with the advanced methods he took a post-graduate course during May and June, 1902, at the Northwestern University of Dental Surgery at Chicago, Il1.

Dr. Finzer was married in Woodburn May 5. 1898, to Miss Minnie Tasker, an estimable young lady, who was born in Mitchell, Canada, Octo- ber 10, 1875, a daughter of William Tasker, a native of Yorkshire, England. He emigrated to Ohio at an early day, and located in Akron, where he was engaged as machinist. Some time later he removed to Canada, and while there his daughter was born. Returning to Akron, she was reared and educated in the public schools. Mrs. Finzer completed her education in Salem, and at the age of seventeen began teaching school, and continued until her marriage. In 1886 Mr. Tasker and his family removed to Ore-

797

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

gon, and conducted a general merchandise store in Salem for a time. For a long time Mr. Tasker had been deeply interested in Socialism. In order to study social conditions under a regime of this character, he went to New Zealand in January, 1900, and, with his wife is now making that their home. His son, Charles, is living in Peoria, Ill. ; Walter in Denver, Col ..

One child has been born to Dr. Finzer and his wife, Beatrice Irene, born March 9, 1899. In his fraternal relations Dr. Finzer is a member of Woodburn Lodge No. 102, I. O. O. F., and, with his wife, is a member of Daughters of Re- bekah, Woodburn Camp, No. 47, W. O. W., and Woodburn Lodge No. 106, A. F. & A. M. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and in politics is a Democrat. He is very conscientious® in his work, and has set a high standard of pro- fessional ethics for his own guidance.

JOHN J. FINN. Immediately identified with the agricultural interests of Polk county, Mr. Finn is carrying on general farming with signal success at McCoy. An active, enterprising man, he has won his way in the world by his own efforts, and has made a good record as an in- dustrious, intelligent citizen, and as a business man of ability. A son of the late John Finn, he was born June 27, 1852, at Canton, Mass.

John Finn, the father of John J., was born in County Limerick, Ireland, about 1788, and spent the earlier part of his life in the Emerald Isle. Crossing the Atlantic in 1847, he located in Massa- chusetts, where he was successfully employed in agricultural pursuits until his death, which oc- curred in the town of Stoughton, Mass., in 1864. He married Mrs. Annie (Dunn) Fitzpatrick, who was born in Queens county, Ireland, in 1816, and is now living in Massachusetts, a venerable woman of eighty-seven years. Of the five sons and four daughters born of their marriage, John J., the second child, and his brother William, are the only survivors.

Leaving the district school at the age of eleven years, John J. Finn worked for a year in a woolen mill, remaining meanwhile with his wid- owed mother. The following year he left home, and from that time until twenty years old wan- dered around through New England, working at whatever he found to do. Enlisting in 1872 in the Fourth United States Cavalry, he served in Texas and the Indian Territory until dis- abled by injuries received by being thrown from a horse, when, in 1876, he was honorably dis- charged from the service. After making a short visit in Massachusetts, Mr. Finn came to Polk county, Ore., locating on Mill creek, where he worked for wages for a number of years. Being prudent and thrifty, he saved his money, bought

a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on Mill creek, sixty acres of it being timber land, where he remained until 1882. He then took passage from Portland on the vessel "Ivy," and went around the cape to Queenstown, Ireland. Re- turning via Boston, Mass., he visited his mother at Stoughton, reaching Oregon again in the spring of 1883.

In 1884 he married Mrs. Julia A. (Rider) Da- vis, and moved onto her farm of one hundred and forty-eight acres near McCoy. Mrs. Finn's father, Dr. James Rider, moved in 1876 from Minnesota to Oregon, locating in Polk county, where he resided until his death on May 30th, 1900.

By her first marriage, Mrs. Finn has three children, namely: Capt. Milton F. Davis, U. S. A., a graduate of West Point, who served with the first cavalry in the Cuban campaign, after- wards was assistant adjutant general on the staff of Brigadier General Bell in the Philippine Isl- ands, and now stationed at Fort Leavenworth; Myrtle, living at home; and Richard, who en- listed as a private in the Fourth United States Infantry, rising from the ranks to a first lieu- tenancy in charge of a company of Filipino scouts. Mr. and Mrs. Finn have one child, J. Waldo Finn.

Mr. Finn is independent in politics, voting for the best men and measures regardless of party restrictions, and has served as road supervisor. Fraternally he is a member of Amity Lodge No. 20, A. F. & A. M., Oregon Consistory No. I, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rites, and Mc- Coy Lodge, I. O. O. F.

WILLIAM A. WENGENROTH. The standing and importance of the Wengenroth family in .Germany is best understood when one recalls the picturesque little town of that name on the Rhine, where for several generations mem- bers of the house pursued their various occupa- tions, principally as merchants and manufac- turers. At Wengenroth was born the manager and proprietor of the Valley Manufacturing Com- pany of Woodburn, May 26, 1845, and there also was born his father, Daniel, a wagon and carriage manufacturer of his native town. The father amassed quite a fortune by: reason of well applied industry, and the frugality charac- teristic of his people, and his name stood for all that was honorable and of good report. He was actively engaged in business almost up to the time of his death in 1897, at the age of seventy-eight years. His wife, Margaret (Schuster) Wengen- roth, was a native of the Rhine province, born at Stalhofen, and her death occurred in Germany in 1870, at the age of forty-five. 't

The eldest of the six children born to his parents, William A. Wengenroth received a prac-

798

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

tical home training, and was educated in the public schools. At an early age he began to learn his father's business, in time taking a re- sponsible position with a large wagon manufac- turing concern. He emigrated to America in 1879, locating at Chiampoeg, on the Willamette river, where he engaged in wagon making for two years. After a short time in Portland he worked in Buena Vista, Independence and Wood- burn, and in April, 1902, started an ax handle manufactory under the firm name of the Valley Manufacturing Company. Though compara- tively in its infancy, this enterprise bids fair to become one of the solid upbuilding forces of Woodburn, location, available material, and mar- ket conspiring in favor of this ambitious new arrival. In addition to ax handles the firm turns out many other kinds of handles, including sledge, adz, auger, hammer, hatchet, and broom handles, as well as neck-yokes.

With him from Germany Mr. Wengenroth brought his wife, formerly Emma Hoefer, a na- tive of the Rhine province, and whose father, Martin, was a blacksmith in Germany. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Wen- genroth, of whom William is with his father in business; Johanna, deceased, was the wife of S. H. Brown of Gervais, Ore., and left one daughter, Gertrude; and Walter is living with his parents.

Mr. Wengenroth in politics is a Republican, and is a member of the Champoeg Lodge No. 27, A. F. & A. M. He is a master workman, and his many years of practical experience here and in Germany have placed him among the most expert in his chosen occupation.

JOHN J. HILL. It is doubtful if any enter- prise in McCoy has contributed more materially to the upbuilding of the town than has the ware- house business of John J. Hill. Since 1892 he has been handling large quantities of grain, wool, hops, and other commodities which flourish in this locality, and by his stanch support of the agriculturists has fostered and encouraged their efforts along these lines. During the year he has handled no less than sixty-thousand bushels of wheat and thirty thousand bushels of oats.

Mr. Hill came to McCoy with a great deal of practical experience behind him, gained in sev- eral busy marts of trade. He was born in Platte county, Mo., November 17, 1839, his grand- father, Spencer, and his father, Archibald, hav- ing been born in Virginia, the latter in January, 1804. Archibald Hill was a man of prominence, especially after removing to Missouri in 1836. Although his entire life was spent on a farm, he filled positions quite remote from that kind of life, and was postmaster of Ridgely, Platte

county, under the administration of thirteen post- master generals. He was successful in farming, and lived until 1876. His wife, Eleanor Mc- Manamy, was also a native of Virginia, and was born February 13, 1807, her marriage occurring in her native state, where her husband was at that time engaged in a general merchandise busi- ness.

Having completed the training of the public schools John J. Hill attended Columbia Univer- sity for a year, and thereafter lived for some time on his father's farm. In 1861 he enlisted as a private in Company E, Thirty-ninth Regu- lar Militia, and was employed in guerilla war- fare in the state of Missouri, eventually attain- ing to the rank of sergeant. October 16, 1863. he enlisted in Company E, Sixteenth Kansas Cavalry, and served under Generals Curtis, Pope and Scofield. In 1865 he was sent to fight In- dians in the Yellowstone Park, Montana, Wyom- ing and the Dakotas, and in December of the same year brought up at Fort Leavenworth, where he received his discharge. Returning to his home he engaged in farming on his own responsibility, and between 1866 and 1870 en- gaged in mail contracting. After completing his mail services he continued to farm in Missouri until 1876, when he came to Oregon, locating near Bethel in Polk county. His farm consisted of two hundred and eight acres, and this he brought to a high state of cultivation, living thereon until taking up his residence in McCoy in 1892.

In Missouri, in 1863, Mr. Hill was united in marriage with Mrs. Jemima Packwood, who was born in Indiana, February 13, 1836. Of this union there have been born two children. Effie and Mattie, the latter being the wife of George Richards, of Portland.

Mr. Hill is a Republican in politics, has been school director and held other offices. Because of services during the Civil war he is identified with Custer Post No. 9, G. A. R., of McMinn- ville. Possessed of sound business judgment and unquestioned integrity, Mr. Hill commands the respect of all with whom he is associated, and it is to be hoped will long continue to be an im- portant factor in the community of McCoy.

FREDERICK W. WILL. A hostelry in Au- rora to which weary and travel-stained tourists are glad to repair, is that owned and managed by Fred W. Will, a native son of Oregon, and who was born in Portland, January 29, 1875. Like many of the present population of the town, Mr. Will owes his principal interest here to his father's pioneer association with the sister colony of Bethel, Shelby county, Mo., from which he emigrated with the other colonists in 1863. The

799

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

elder Will was born in the Bethel colony, and after crossing the plains and locating in Aurora, took up his residence for a time in Portland, where he followed his trade as a wood-turner. In 1883 he again became a citizen of Aurora, and in partnership with A. Kocher, started a general merchandise store. This was a com- paratively short-lived venture, for at the end of a year he bought out his partner and ran the business alone until disposing of it to his son, Allen H. Will, in 1902. He married Henrietta Miller, who was born in Missouri, and who came to Oregon in 1865, settling with her parents in Aurora. Of the eight children born of this union three are deceased, Frederick W. being the oldest of the three sons and two daughters now living.

After completing his education in the public schools of Portland, and graduating from the Portland Business College in 1901, Frederick W. Will engaged in the general merchandise business at Needy, Ore., for six months, selling out at that time to his partner. In Aurora he afterward worked for his father in the general merchandise store, and in January, 1902, bought the hotel which has since been his greatest care. A bar is maintained in connection with the hotel, and the appointments of the entire enterprise are modern, and in accord with successful entertain- ment of the traveling public. Mr. Will has iden- tified himself with important affairs in Aurora, and that he has served as city treasurer argues that his standing in the community is an honor- able and worthy one. He is a Republican in poli- tics, and fraternally is a member of Hermes Lodge, No. 56, Knights of Pythias.

In Needy, Ore., December 25, 1900, Mr. Will married Lettie M. Thompson, who was born in Missouri, and whose father, William Thompson, is an old settler and prominent farmer near Needy. Mr. Will is energetic and prosperous, and his natural qualifications of tact, good na- ture and knowledge of human nature, are such as are most required of the up-to-date hotel man.

HENRY A. SNYDER. Possessed of a ver- satility which would make him an important fac- tor in any community, Henry A. Snyder has found a prolific field of activity in Aurora, where he has many financial irons in the fire, all of which are followed by unquestioned success. Mr. Snyder is a young man to have found his rightful place in the world, he having been born in this town March 10, 1872, the son of Charles Snyder, a pioneer of 1848.

Charles Snyder was born near Canton, Ohio, and is the son of Henry Schneider, a native of Germany, and who came to the United States when twelve years old, settling in Ohio. When

Charles Snyder was a year and a half old his mother died, leaving six other children to the care of her husband, who lived to be sixty-five years old. The father came to Oregon in 1848, and at that time Charles was eleven years old. In 1869 he married Christian Schuele, who was born in Bethel, Mo., and whose parents became members of the Aurora colony. At the time of the disrup- tion of the colony he was working at his trade as carpenter, and he received for his share of the property fifty-seven acres of timberland near the town, while his wife received a house and lot in Aurora. Mr. Snyder has been industrious, thrifty and thoroughly honorable in all his deal- ings, and at present owns a farm much larger than his original grant, besides considerable prop- erty in the town. Nine children have been born to himself and wife, the order of their birth be- ing as follows : Andrew C., Henry A., twin boys who died in infancy; Amelia and Augusta, twins; Ernest and Ida (deceased) twins; and Lawrence J. Mr. Snyder is a Republican in poli- tics, but has never added his name to the mem- bership of secret organizations. He is one of the solid, substantial and thoroughly reliable citizens of this part of the county, and the farm which he is now conducting is a credit to the agricul- tural standing of his section.

Henry A. Snyder received his education in the public schools, and at the age of fifteen embarked upon his first business experience as a clerk in the general merchandise store of F. & J. Giesy. Under these well known merchants he was also assistant postmaster, and after severing this asso- ciation was employed by the Willamette Trading Company, of Aurora. March 3, 1898, he was appointed postmaster of the town, an office which he still holds. He is a stanch defender of the Republican party, and various positions have come his way because of special fitness, among them being that of school clerk, citv recorder for three years, and president of the town council for one year. He has been a delegate to county and state conventions, and has been a prominent and influential political figure in this part of the county.

In connection with the management of the post-office, Mr. Snyder is running a confectionery and tobacco store, and he also has an undertaking establishment, and in partnership with W. S. Hurst handles a large amount of real estate. He has branched out into journalistic prominence as half owner of a local paper known as the Aurora Borealis. Mr. Snyder is social and genial, trait- of character which have made him a welcome member at various lodges in the county, includ- ing Champoeg Lodge, No. 27, A. F. & A. M .: the Knights of Pythias, in which he has passed many of the chairs; the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has passed all of the

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 110

Author: Chapman Publishing Company, Chicago Publication date: 1903 Publisher: Chicago, The Chapman Publishing Company Number of Pages: 1622

Author: Chapman Publishing Company, Chicago
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago, The Chapman Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1622