Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 25

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 25

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in which he engaged. The humble successes that came to him were received with a grateful heart.

Though stanch in his allegiance to the Protes- tant Episcopal Church, Mr. Sellwood was not a bigoted churchman. On the other hand, he pos- sessed a broad and catholic spirit and saw the good in all, ever praying for the reunion of a divided Christendom. As a preacher he was earnest and forcible, never led aside into sensa- tional subjects, but clinging closely to "Christ and Him crucified." A text was chosen only after careful and prayerful deliberation, and the subject matter of the sermon was presented after much prayer. When before his people he lost himself so wholly in his subject that no trace of self-consciousness could be discerned. Indeed, he forgot himself in the message he was to de- liver.

After fifteen years of labor in Oregon City Mr. Sellwood accepted the pastorate of St. David's Church in East Portland, where the last ten years of his busy life were passed. From a small con- gregation, St. David's has grown into a large and well organized parish, and this happy result is largely due to his efforts in those days of small beginnings. While he was pastor of that flock, on Christmas eve of 1899, after a day of severe illness, he insisted upon speaking to the children at their Christmas exercises, saying, when his family protested, "I feel I must look into their dear, bright faces once more." The next day he again went to the church, hoping to administer the holy communion to his loved con- gregation, but he was taken with a chill and was carried from the church, never more to enter it in life. Weeks of pain and illness were met with his accustomed cheery and bright patience, and finally, March 12, 1890, with the parting words upon his lips, "All is peace," he entered into the unknown. A large concourse of those who loved him attended the funeral services, where Bishop Morris, in the memorial sermon, paid a deserved tribute to his years of patient and self-sacrific- ing toil. The organizations with which he had been connected passed resolutions of respect. The bishop and clergy of the diocese of Oregon adopted resolutions bearing testimony to his goodness of heart and gentleness of spirit. Other organizations who took similar action were St. David's Vestry, Women's Guild of St. David's parish, Daughters of St. David's, Young Men's Guild of St. David's Church, St. Paul's parish in Oregon City and the convention of the diocese. Since his death his wife, who had been his constant and successful co-laborer in the min- istry, has devoted herself largely to missionary work in the Protestant Episcopal Church in Oregon, and is now registrar of the diocese of Oregon, and is also the diocesan secretary of the Women's Auxiliary.

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

HON. THOMAS G. HENDRICKS. The name of Hon. Thomas G. Hendricks has been associated for many years with all that is sub- stantial and progressive in connection with the best interests of the city of Eugene and the Willamette valley. The power to act intelli- gently, as well as to think, to marshal his forces at the right time and place, to concentrate, to lead and to infuse others with his own indom- itable courage and determination, are attributes which have contributed to the successful career of Eugene's most representative citizen.

While Mr. Hendricks' financial stability rests upon his achievements as a merchant and banker, his greatest claim upon the consideration of posterity is his association with the building, or- ganization and subsequent management of Ore- gon's greatest institution of learning --- the Uni- versity of Oregon at Eugene. It is doubtful if any other undertaking of his life has been the source of so great a measure of personal satis- faction, so earnest and absorbing an interest, as the development of this ambitious project, the realization of which will be the proud heritage of the coming generations. Mr. Hendricks is one of those far-sighted men who saw the neces- sity for just such an institution, and in the be- ginning of the seventies he accepted the responsi- bility of raising funds for its erection, the state not yet having arrived at an appreciation of its duty in the matter. The few who helped him t" raise the required fifty thousand dollars, and who as members of the building committee, overcame gigantic obstacles, ignored discouraging influ- ences and conditions and with singleness of pur- pose made straight for their goal, are entitled to rank with the state's greatest benefactors. That Mr. Hendricks was the life and soul of this little band, the far-sighted adviser and friend, redounds to his lasting honor and invests his career with additional dignity and nobility. After the state had accepted the institution he became a member of the board of regents, being appointed consecutively for twenty-four years, or until the stable condition of the university justified him in withdrawing his active support. During all of these years he was chairman of the executive committee, and it was largely due to his judgment that the university took on the methods and the prestige of institutions of historical renown and established usefulness. Thus has the greatest ambition of this pioneer Oregonian been realized ; vet broad and comprehensive as is its scope, it has been but one of the numerous avenues in- vaded by his business sagacity and genius for or- ganization and development.

Mr. Hendricks comes of a family of which much might reasonably be expected. Born in Henderson county, Ill., June 17, 1838, he is a son of James M. and grandson of, Abraham

Hendricks, the latter of whom established his family in Kentucky at an early day, and died in Illinois. James Hendricks was born in Ken- tucky and married Elizabeth Bristow, of Vir- ginia, daughter of Elijah Bristow, the first set- tler of Lane county, Ore. With his wife he set- tled on a farm in Henderson county, Ill., and while there served with distinction in the Black Hawk war. Five children were born to him and his wife in Illinois. In 1848 he outfitted for the journey across the plains, having three wagons, eight yoke of oxen and a number of loose cat- tle. Leaving the familiar scenes behind them in March, and pushing forward to the uncertainties of the west, they crossed the Missouri river at St. Joseph, and were soon after obliged to stop for a couple of weeks, in order that the grass might grow and supplement the scant supply of feed for the stock. Fortunately the members of the train escaped many of the discomforts and dangers which surrounded the early emigrants, their chief drawback being the stampeding of their cattle by the Indians and Mormons. Cross - ing the Cascade range by the Barlow route, they arrived at Pleasant Hill, Lane county, in October. Here they found Elijah Bristow joyfully awaiting them, he having preceded them to Oregon in 1845. Mr. Hendricks settled on a section of land twelve miles southeast of the site of Eugene, his only neighbors being Eugene Skinner, Jacob Spores, Messrs. Isaac Briggs, P. F. Blair and their families, and William Dodson, a bachelor Mr. Hendricks at once set about the task of clear- ing a farm out of the wilderness tract, and en- gaged in farming and stock-raising on an ex- tensive scale. In 1851 he crossed the mountains and for a time was engaged in gold-mining in California. He took an active part in the affairs of government, and in religious and educational movements, and became a member of the first church to be organized in Lane county, a church of the Christian denomination, which erected its house of worship near his home. The first school in Lane county was built within sight of his farm, and was established by his father-in-law, Elijah Bristow. It became known as School District No. I. Mr. Hendricks died in 1876. His wife's death occurred the year previous. They were the parents of eleven children. Of these Benjamin F. is maintaining the gunshop at Fort Bragg, Cal .; Susan J. married John A. Winter and died in California ; Sarah A. married J. W. Skaggs and resides in Santa Cruz, Cal .; Elijah B. is engaged in the drug business in Cheney, Wash .; James M., who died in Lane county, was for many years engaged in the hard- ware and implement business in Eugene ; Colun- bus C. is a capitalist residing in Pendleton, Ore. : LaFayette is a farmer of Lane county; Albert M. is engaged in painting in Eugene; and Olive

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E. is the wife of F. P. Close, a farmer of Lane county.

Hon. Thomas G. Hendricks, the second child in the family, received his rudimentary educa- tion in the district school established by his grand- father, Bristow, conducted in a small log struc- ture which, for many years, was the seat of learn- ing in Lane county. At a later period Cascade Academy was established at Cloverdale, and he entered this school in 1853, remaining for three years. In the meantime the general mercandise business of Mr. Bristow became firmly estab- lished, and Mr. Hendricks began his business career in 1857 as a clerk in this pioneer store. By 1860 he had advanced to an interest in the firm, thereafter conducted under the name of E. L. Bristow & Co. The firm contributed to the commercial stability of the town of Eugene by building the first brick store there in 1866. This was likewise the first brick structure in Lane county. In 1874 Mr. Bristow sold his interest in the store to his brother, W. W. Bristow, and after the death of the latter in the same year, Mr. Hendricks became sole owner and proprietor. In 1884 he disposed of his stock, but retained pos- session of the building, and the same year organ- ized a banking business under the firm name of Hendricks & Eakin, his partner being S. B. Eakin. With true western enterprise the bankers erected a two-story building on West Willamette street, between Eighth and Ninth streets, with the first plate glass front in Lane county. The bank started business in January, 1884, with a capital stock of $50,000. In February, 1886, the con- cern was reorganized as the First National Bank of Eugene, with a paid-up capital of $50,000. The splendid business standing of the bank sug- gested numerous innovations, and the delibera- tions of the owners resulted in the erection of a handsome edifice in 1898-a two-story building with a stone front.

As a practical demonstration of his faith in the future of this section of the Willamette valley, Mr. Hendricks has invested heavily in town and country property, including Hendrick's Addi- tion in College Hill Park and other valuable residence and business sites. His public spirit has found vent in the promotion of many local enterprises, among them being the city water works, of which he was one of the builders, and a director until disposing of his interest therein. He was elected one of the first councilmen of Eugene, and has since served many times in that capacity. He has also been mayor of the city for two terms. From 1880 to 1884 he was a member of the Oregon state senate, having been elected as the nominee of the Democratic party. During that time he served on the committee on educa- tion. He was not at home when elected by a good majority in a Republican county. During

the two terms of his service in the senate he ad- vocated many measures demanded by the most thoughful of his constituents, and secured the passage of considerable judicious legislation. In 1872 Mr. Hendricks received from the county court the appointment to the office of county superintendent of public instruction to fill a vacancy. He was twice re-elected to this office, serving in all six years, and was the first in- cumbent of the office to take an active interest in the welfare of the schools and to visit them in official capacity. The experience thus gained formed the foundation of his interest in the cause of education, and particularly in the cause of higher education.

Mr. Hendricks is a member of the State His- torical Society, and of the Lane County Pioneer Association, of which he has served as secretary. Fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is past noble grand of the lodge at Eugene. In 1865 he became a member of the Christian Church, and for many years has been a member of its board of trustees.

October 20, 1861, Mr. Hendricks was united in marriage with Mary J. Hazelton, daughter of Harvey Hazelton, who settled in Lane county in 1852 or 1853. She died in Eugene in 1866. They were the parents of two children: Harry A., who died in infancy ; and Ida B., wife of Frank L. Chambers, of Eugene. The second marriage of Mr. Hendricks was solemnized January 3, 1869, and united him with Martha A. Stewart, a native of Missouri, and a pioneer of 1852. (Sce sketch of Elias Stewart, which appears elsewhere in this volume.) They are the parents of two children : Ada A., a graduate of the University of Oregon, class of 1896; and Ruby V., a grad- uate of the same institution, class of 1903.

In closing this necessarily brief outline of the life and services of Thomas G. Hendricks, it is but just to make a permanent record of the es- teem in which he is held by the people of Oregon. At no time during his long, honorable and use- ful career has his position as an influential factor and high-minded man of affairs been brought into question ; and with the progress of years and the development of the spirit of public utility which he has always exhibited, those who have been able to keep most closely in touch with his daily life accord him a post of eminence among the men of the Pacific northwest. Many men of in- telligent discriminating powers have expressed the conviction that in naming two living men who properly may be regarded as the first citizens of the Willamette valley, the name of Thomas G. Hendricks should thus be perpetuated. In the history of the city of Eugene, no man has done more toward the advancement of its highest com- munity interests-social, moral, intellectual and commercial. Every act on his part whose

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tendency has been to add to the prestige of the city in any way has demonstrated his unselfish and gracious public spirit. The record of his entire life exhibits no taint or blemish ; its purity and integrity, in both its public and private phases, has been beyond question. Assuredly the career of this useful and high-minded man of affairs should prove a never-diminishing source of inspiration to the youth of the present and future generations, as well as of great pride to those bound to him by ties of blood.

THEODORE THURSTON GEER. The history of a state as well as that of a nation is chiefly the chronicle of the lives and deeds of those who have conferred honor and dignity upon society. The world judges the character of a community by that of its representative citi- zens, and yields its tribute of admiration and respect for the genius, learning or virtues of those whose works and actions constitute the record of a state; and it is their character, as exemplified in probity and progress, in kindly virtues and in integrity in the affairs of life, which is ever affording worthy examples for emulation. Perhaps there is today no man bet- ter known in Oregon than Theodore Thurston Geer, recently governor of the state, a man who is leaving the impress of his individuality upon the commonwealth, who has aided in framing important legislation and who in his recent ser- vice as chief executive promoted the welfare of the people of the state through an admini- stration that was progressive, yet practical, and upheld the best interests of the majority.

Governor Geer is a native son of Oregon, his birth having occurred in Marion county, seven miles from Salem, March 12, 1851. His father, Heman J. Geer, was born in Madison county, Ohio, while the grandfather, Joseph Cary Geer, was born in Windham county, Conn., February 5, 1795. When seventeen years of age the latter enlisted for service in the war of 1812, and in 1818 he became a resident of Madison county, Ohio, casting his lot among the pioneer farmers. In 1840 he removed to Galesburg, Knox county, Ili. The ancestry, however, can be traced farther back than this, for it is defi- nitely known that two brothers, James and George Geer, came from England about 1630 and settled in Windham county, Conn. Joseph C. Geer was united in marriage to Miss Mary Johnson, who was born in Rhode Island and was of English descent. When he came to Ohio in 1818 he was accompanied by his wife and two children, the journey being made in a wagon. They went to Illinois in the fall of 1840, making the trip down the Ohio and up the Mississippi rivers, and after seven years spent in Knox

county they again started westward in a train commanded by Capt. Joel Palmer. All of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph C. Geer also became residents of Oregon. The second son, Fred, had crossed the plains in 1846, and the third son, Joseph Cary, Jr., had come overland in 1845 and now lives in Modesto, Cal. Three others, Isaiah, Ralph C., and Heman J., came in 1847. The grandfather settled in Clackamas county, directly across the river from Butteville, Marion county, where he secured a donation claim of six hundred and forty acres, which he improved, continuing to carry on farming there until his death, which occurred in August, 1881, when he had reached the age of eighty-six years and six months. During the last twenty years of his life he was blind. He was always a Republican, but never cared for or sought of- fice.

Heman J. Geer was born September 23, 1828, in Madison county, Ohio, and was educated in the schools of that state and Illinois. In 1847 he crossed the plains with an ox-train, driving from Illinois, and reached Marion county after six months of travel. In October, 1848, he was married here to Cynthia Ann Eoff, who was born in Illinois, November 4, 1833, a daughter of John Leonard Eoff, who was born in Pulas- ki county, Ky., July 2, 1812. He removed to Indiana, then to Illinois, went to Iowa in 1841, and in 1847 brought his family over the long trail to Oregon, the train being commanded by Capt. L. N. English. He settled on Howell Prairie, in Marion county, securing a donation claim of one section, of which he was the owner until his death. His father, John Eoff, was a native of Virginia, became a pioneer of Ken tucky and there died. Our subject visited his grave in 1887. Mr. Eoff was of German de- scent and took part in the Indian wars with Daniel Boone. At the time of their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Heman J. Geer located on a claim of six hundred and forty acres in the Waldo hills, Marion county, and there Mr. Eoff fol- lowed farming for four or five years, after which he sold that property and located in Sil- verton, where he established a nursery business. His oldest brother, Ralph, established the first nursery in the state, from seeds he had brought with him. In May, 1861, Heman J. Geer re- moved to Salem, and in 1862 went up the Fraser river at the time of the gold excitement. In 1866, however, he went to Union county and located on the place where he now resides. He was joined by his son, Theodore, and together they converted the wild land into an excellent farm. Heman J. Geer has since been success- fully engaged in the nursery and horticultural business and is well known as a fruit grower. He has demonstrated the possibilities of the

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state in this direction, and through his well di- rected efforts has met with gratifying prosperity. In political views he is a Republican. An hon- ored pioneer, he is familiar with the history of the state from an early epoch, and experienced many of the hardships of life here before rail- roads connected this section with the older east. He served in the Cayuse Indian war and watched with interest the advance of civilization as the Indian wigwam was replaced by the tasteful residence of the white man. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Geer were born five children, of whom two are living, Theodore T. and Mrs. Theodosia Janes, of Salem.

Theodore T. Geer was reared in Oregon. After attending the district school, on the 5th of September, 1863, he entered Willamette Uni- versity, where he remained until April, 1865. He afterward worked with his uncle, Ralph Geer, on a farm in the Waldo hills, making his own way from the time he left college, and he has never been too proud to remember the man- ual labor he performed in reclaiming portions of Oregon's wild land for civilization. In De- cember, 1866, he joined his father at Cove, in Union county, and assisted him in developing a farm from the wilderness.

On the 16th of June, 1870, Mr. Geer was united in marriage to Mrs. Nancy (Duncan) Batte, and the following year he secured a home- stead at Cove by buying a right. This land he farmed until he had perfected his title, and in May, 1877, he sold the property and located near Salem on a place adjoining that upon which he was born, eight miles east of the city. Here he had three hundred and twenty acres of land, some of which had been broken by his father with ox-teams in 1848. Mr. Geer there began general farming and stock-raising, and his pro- gressive, systematic methods of agriculture have made the property valuable and productive. Mrs. Geer was born in Calloway county, Mo., October 22, 1841, a daughter of F. W. Duncan, who was born in Prince Edward county, Va., February 26, 1816. When two years old he was taken to Kentucky, and in 1829, at the age of eleven, went to Calloway county, Mo., with his parents. There he followed farming until 1864. when, on account of his Union sentiments, he was forced to leave his home, and with his fam- ily he then crossed the plains to Oregon. Here he followed farming for some time in Union county. His death occurred at the home of Mr. Geer in Marion county, in 1881. Three children were born to Theodore T. Geer and wife: Maud A., Theodosia A. and Frederick He- man, the latter an express messenger on the Southern Pacific railroad for Wells-Fargo Ex- press Company, making his home at Portland. In 1898 Mrs, Geer started to visit her old home

in the east and stopped to see the Omaha Expo- sition. The same night she was taken ill and died in Omaha on October 13, and her remains were brought back to Oregon for interment.

Mr. Geer has always been an active Repub- lican, fearless in defense of his honest convic- tions, not bitterly aggressive, but unequivocal in his statements, so that no one need question his position. He has always been a close and earnest student of the issues which have divided the people into great national parties and his views have many times been expressed through the papers. When seventeen years of age he began writing for the press upon political and other subjects, during the Grant campaign in 1868, and there is probably no man in the state, who is not a journalist by profession, who has been a more frequent contributor to the press. In 1880 he was elected to the legislature from Marion county, serving in the session of that year, when Governor Moody was speaker of the house. Mr. Geer was instrumental in passing the bill locating the insane asylum at Salem and providing a building for it. In 1888 and again in 1890 and 1892 he was re-elected, and in the session of 1891 he was chosen speaker of the house, acting in that capacity when the Aus- tralian ballot law was passed. An excellent par- liamentarian, his rulings were strictly fair and impartial, and his legislative service throughout proved of benefit to the entire state as well as to his local constituency. In 1896 he was nom- inated presidential elector on the Republican ticket and received the highest popular vote given any elector in the state. He took a most active part in the campaign, being on the stump for seven weeks, working untiringly for the suc- cess of his party. By the state electors he was chosen to carry the vote to Washington, in January, 1897, and visited President Mckinley in Canton. After his return he was nominated by acclamation in the state convention, in April, 1898, as the candidate for governor, although he was not present on that occasion. During the campaign he visited every county in the state but one, addressing the people on the issues of the day, and as his legislative service had been such as to warrant public confidence, he was elected by a plurality of ten thousand five hun- dred. On January 10, 1899, he took the oath of office, thus becoming the chief executive of his native state for a term of four years. His administration was free from misrule in state affairs, and no matter what his enemies might say against him-and no man in public life is without enemies-they have never urged against him that he has been the tool of others, but on the other hand every one acknowledges his loy- alty to his honest convictions, and the state at large endorses his administration as that of a

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Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 25

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