Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 57

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 57

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In the Hibbard family were eight children, four sons and four daughters, of whom Trenton- R. Hibbard was the eldest. He obtained a com- mon school education and in early life engaged in farming with his father. Upon the latter's death he remained upon the old homestead, and educated and cared for the family until the younger children of the household were able to care for themselves. When all had grown to mature years he sold the property, in March, 1874, and divided the proceeds among the heirs, administering the estate satisfactorily to all. In the fall of 1874 he removed to Silverton and established a general mercantile store, which he conducted with success for several years, or until 1892, when he retired. Since that time he has been engaged in loaning money and in rent- ing farms and other property, but to a large ex- tent is resting from arduous labor. He also owns a stock ranch of one hundred and sixty acres in the mountains, on which he pastures cattle for others. He also has two hundred acres of the original donation claim, and he purchased fifty acres adjoining, so that that farm comprises two hundred and fifty acres, a portion of which is in orchard. Mr. Hibbard also owns town prop- erty, and has improved residence property in Sil- verton. He likewise has a store and house in Silverton and several lots in East Portland, Al- bina and Piedmont, which are unimproved.

In 1878 Mr. Hibbard was appointed postmas-

ter, and filled that office for six years. He was also the first mayor of Silverton, and acted in that capacity for three terms. Politically he is a Republican. He takes a very active interest in the welfare of the party and does all in his power for its growth. He has served as constable of the precinct, and in that position, as in other offices which he has filled, he has ever been found faithful and reliable in the discharge of his du- ties. A prominent Odd Fellow, he belongs to the lodge, encampment and the Rebekah degree. He is also a member of the Masonic Lodge. Mr. Hibbard is a man of striking appearance, stand- ing six feet and four inches in height and weigh- ing two hundred pounds. He is said to resemble Abraham Lincoln, and he possesses many of the sterling traits of character of that great states- man.

WILLIAM M. POWERS and his wife are one of the most interesting couples in Linn county, who have grown old in the service of Oregon, and their many experiences in the early days would fill an interesting volume. Having the advantages of admirable ances- tors, of parents who cherished high ideals for their children, and of Christian training in their youth, they have carried their zeal and nobility of character through the unsettled and oftimes trying conditions in the north- west, stamping their business and social con- nections with the seal of sincerity and success. William Powers is a descendant of a New England family which traces its American lineage back two hundred years, its members located for the greater part in the state of Ver- mont, where was born the paternal grand- father, George Powers. Ezekiel Powers, the father of William, was also born in Vermont, and subsequently became a contractor and builder in Batavia, N. Y. He died when Will- iam was four years old, and about the same time his wife, Esther (Van Ness) Powers, followed him to the silent bourne. The Van Ness family have been distinguished for many years in New York, and claim to be of old Hudson river Knickerbocker stock. William M. is the only child living of this union, Cor- nelius, the oldest son, a shipbuilder, having died in Osage, Iowa; Joseph, an engineer, died in the south, and Daniel W. died after amassing a fortune in Rochester, N. Y.

Until his tenth year, William Powers lived in his native town of Batavia, N. Y., where he was born August 12, 1827. He was then sent to a farm in Mount Vernon township, Knox county, Ohio, and while working hard for his board and clothes, had absolutely no oppor- tunity to attend school. In 1842 he went to

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Iowa with his uncle, Colonel Hall, settling on a farm in Mount Pleasant township, Henry county, where he was busily engaged in farm- ing when the Mexican war broke out. This seemed an opportunity indeed to be of service to his country, and regretfully he returned to the monotony ot tarm life after having his ap- plication rejected on account of age and dis- ability. The following year, 1847, a chance came his way in the guise of the famous Dan Rice circus, an enterprise which opened up wonderful vistas for boys with large ambi- tions and little money. The "great and only show on earth" was then being transported from place to place along the Ohio and Mis- sissippi rivers by a steamer owned by the Company, and William began as cabin boy on this steamer in 1847, and gradually worked his way through the aggregation of mysteries which have dazzled audiences these many years. His circus experiences were varied, and comprised the gamut run by the most re- sourceful in those days, and he became a per- former who won thunders of applause from admiring onlookers. He could do the most daring tricks known to tumblers of that time, and in time he became a horseback performer, excelling particularly in ring work. The fine mare "Fashion" and he were for months asso- ciated together in the minds of an anxious public, and were coupled together in glaring letters on the ingenious posters. Hundreds of times he made his entrance into the sawdust ring, performed his daring and skillful act, and, with the graceful Fashion, acknowledged the plaudits of the audience. These days are recalled by Mr. Powers with much satisfac- tion, and possibly a little regret, for who does not miss vociferous appreciation when once it has rewarded our efforts, of whatever nature?

In 1849 Mr. Powers became imbued with the gold fever, and with a pack train started across the plains in a company of fifty-two men. At Fort Laramie differences of opinion arose, and with three of his companions he left the tran and proceeded alone the rest of the way. The small party were strangely at the mercy of whatever danger lurked on the plains, and each night two of the party were obliged to mount guard during the entire night. The trip from Omaha to Hangtown, now Placerville, Cal., was made in sixty days, a remarkably short time, considering the means of travel. Here the men sold their horses and engaged in mining, and in the fall of that year went to Oregon canyon near Georgetown, going later to the Yankee Jim Diggings, and still later to the Humbug can- von on the north fork of the American river. Mr. Powers was successful as a miner, but,

owing to failing health while on the American river, he was obliged to think about returning home. Arriving at San Francisco, he found that there would be no steamer for fifteen days, so he concluded to return to mining, which he did on the Salmon river. Here he lost eight thousand dollars in the stream, and though he tried to dam it and regain his money, succeeded in getting back just eight dollars. Determined to hold on to the rest of his money, he took a small train of mules to Eureka and engaged in freighting to Reddings Springs, now Shasta, and then con- cluded to buy up a herd of cattle in Oregon and take them down to California. Making his purchases at Oregon City in December, 1851, he went to Eugene, and then drove the cattle over the mountains, having on the way a great deal of trouble with the Indians. However, with comparatively small loss, he reached his destination in Scott's valley, Cal., disposed of his stock, and returned to the Willamette valley, with which he had been much impressed while passing through it with his herd.

In 1852 Mr. Powers took up a donation claim at what is now Shedds Station, but this proved to be school land, and he was obliged to pay five dollars an acre for it. He after- ward bought one hundred and twenty acres ·nearby, and at present has two hundred and eighty acres, which has been improved from raw and unprofitable land, into good cattle- raising and wheat property. In 1853, he en- gaged in blacksmithing and merchandising at Burlington, Linn county. Naturally Mr. Pow- ers suffered greatly from the depredations of the Indians, and like the other settlers, did his duty in subduing them. In 1855-56 he served as packmaster in the Rogue River war, pre- vious to which he had left his farm in other hands and had engaged in freighting flour, coffee, groceries and general provisions over the mountains to California. His permanent location on the farm, in 1854, was temporarily interrupted by the Indian wars, but after the service he devoted himself exclusively to im- proving his land and raising high-grade cattle. In 1860 he located three miles from The Dalles on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, where he engaged in stock-raising, making a specialty of trading horses and cattle until 1862. He then went to Baker City and with a partner built and operated a ferry across the Snake river below the mouth of Powder river, and at the same time was interested in the mining business in the Bannock mines near Idaho City. Here he made considerable money in mining, but unfortunately fell ill with mountain fever. His illness was taken

Adelhelm Odermatt, O.P. 13.

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advantage of by his partner, for during his ab- sence he sold the ferry and disappeared, leav- ing Mr. Powers rich in experience, but poorer in money to the extent of $7,000. The loss through the ferry was much more than made up by the gain in mining, and he settled down on his farm contentedly, charging up the mis- fortune to the inevitable profit and loss in life. In October, 1900, Mr. Powers rented his farm and located in Albany, where he has since lived retired, his home the center of large- hearted hospitality and invariable goodfellow- ship.

In Linn county, Ore., July 19, 1854, Mr. Powers married Mary A. Hogue, who was born in Monmouth, Ill., a daughter of James P., horn near Knoxville, Tenn., and Sarah M. (Finney) Hogue, born near Louisville, Ky., and daughter of James Finney. Mr. Hogue was a carpenter and builder in Monmouth, Ill., and afterward settled on a farm in Mc- Donough county, where he lived until 1853. He then crossed the plains with his family, being five months on the way, and located on a claim in Linn county, Ore. His wife, who died in Albany in 1899, bore him eight chil- dren, of whom Harvey A., a lumberman of Portland, died in Boston, Mass., August 15, 1902; Frances J., the wife of Silas B. Story, died in Umatilla county ; Mrs. Powers, Emily M., deceased, the wife of David Layton, the latter a major and veteran of the Indian wars ; Eliza died in Linn county in 1857; Charles P. is a saw-mill man of Sellwood, Ore .; Inez, widow of John M. Irving, lives at 545 Rodney avenue, Portland; and George M. died at the age of seventeen years.

Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Powers : Izzie M., the wife of H. B. Springer, of Linn county ; Stiles Burr, a farmer of Linn county ; Guy M., engaged in horticul- ture near Missoula, Mont., and Frank H., a salesman for Woodard & Clarke, of Portland. In 1852 Mr. Powers was made a Mason in Salem Lodge No. 4. He was a charter mem- ber of Shedds Lodge No. 79, A. F. & A. M., and charter member and served as master sev- eral times of Shedds Grange. In 1873 Mr. and Mrs. Powers assisted in the organization of the State Grange. Mrs. Powers is also a mem- ber of the Eastern Star. Formerly a stanch Republican, the silver question materially changed the attitude of Mr. Powers regarding his party, and he is now independent of any party. With his wife, he is a member of the Oregon Pioneer Association, and of the State Historical Society. He is also a member of the Indian War Veterans' Association.

Kindly in manner, courteous and consider- ate towards all with whom he comes in con-

tact, Mr. Powers is honored for the unswerv- ing integrity which has characterized all of his transactions in the west, and for that pub- lic-spiritedness which has dictated an interest in all that pertains to the upbuilding of his adopted state.

REV. ADELHELM ODERMATT, O. S. B., the founder of Mount Angel, by far the strongest moral influence in this part of the state, and the instigator of every good work which has for its object the upbuilding of his people, was born in Stanz, the capital city of Canton Unterwalden, Switzerland, December IO, 1844. His ecclesiastical training was re- ceived at the Benedictine Abbey of Mount Angel, Switzerland, which he entered in 1865, and from which he was sent as a missionary to the United States in 1873. Until 1881 he was located at Maryville, Mo., and August 2 of that year he arrived in Portland to found a Benedictine priory. In search of a desirable location he traveled extensively over the north- west for six months, and subsequently as- sumed charge of the parishes of Gervais, Fill- more, and Sublimity. May 9, 1882, Father Odermatt left for Switzerland, and after hav- ing been appointed prior by the Right Rev. Abbot Anselm, O. S. B., of the mother house of Mount Angel, he returned to America October 29 of the same year, to found the Benedictine priory at Gervais.

The priory of Gervais consisted of five fathers, one lay brother, and five candidates for the monastery, in connection with which was maintained the St. Scholastica Convent, with ten sisters, of which Rev. Mother Ber- nardine, O. S. B., was the head. July 14, 1884. Father Odermatt moved the monastery to what was then called Fillmore, where he erected a new building and church and called the place and railway station Mount Angel, after the mother house in Switzerland. In 1886 the Benedictine sisters also removed their mother house to Mount Angel. In 1888 the Benedictine fathers built a new college, and the following year a seminary was erected for ecclesiastical students. So well founded was this enterprise, and so prosperous did it be- come, that in 1889 the fathers were obliged to build a new college, 150x50 feet, ground dimen- sions, and four stories high. The new build- ing was modern in construction, and admir- ably filled the needs for which it was intended, and no more promising religious center existed in the state. However, a great disappointment was in store for those who had so zealously labored in the cause of humanity, for May 3. 1892, between the hours of two and four in the

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afternoon, the entire monastery, church, old college and seminary, as well as carpenter shop, flour mill, and engine house, were reduced to ashes, but one building remaining of the splen- did work of years. Nevertheless, neither the founder nor his co-laborers were utterly cast down, but continued their school in the only building available to them.

Characteristic of the energy and resource which have dominated his career was the course of Father Odermatt in the face of this crushing calamity. He at once left for the east Lo engage in missionary work, and collect funds for the re-building of the institution, which was to represent in its completion and great opportunity for usefulness, the most am- bitious project of a well directed life. Father Odermatt preached throughout the entire east, visiting all the large cities, and availing him- self of any pulpit at his disposal. In spite of the general depression of the times, and the remoteness of the enterprise to which the easterners were asked to contribute, he suc- ceeded beyond his expectations, the result of his six years' tour being eminently satisfac- tory. June 21, 1899, the cornerstone of the new monastery was laid by Archbishop Alex- ander Christie, D. D., of Portland, Ore., and by New Year's day, 1902, the monastery proper was roofed. At the present time there are seventeen fathers, three scholastics and thirty- four professed lay brothers in the monastery, and the good accomplished by them as a body is beyond calculation. The premises contain about one thousand acres of land, much of which is excellent farming land, while timber abounds, and pasturage permits the raising of large quantities of stock. The institution in- cludes a dairy farm of extensive acreage in the foothills of the Cascade mountains, where the cattle are pastured in summer. Innumerable departments of industry are represented in this religious community, and the visitor who is permitted to observe them is impressed with the neatness, thrift and industry everywhere apparent, as well as by the Old World courtesy which he receives at the hands of those in authority. It is not strange that Father Oder- matt ranks with the great material and relig- ious upbuilders of the northwest, nor that his life work is typical, in its extent, of what may be accomplished in the face of great obstacles, and by the light of a supreme and unalterable guidance.

CONRAD MEYER. Among the many earnest and reliable citizens which Germany has contributed to the upbuilding of the Amer- ican statehood is to be named Conrad Meyer,

who is now a successful grocer of the city of Albany, Linn county, Ore., his residence in this country having dated from 1866, and in this city from September, 1872. Like the many other emigrants to the great northwest, Mr. Meyer came with only his determination to win in the battle of life to encourage him to put forth his best efforts, but it has proven amply sufficient when viewed in the light of re- sults.

Both the grandfather, Mathias, and father, Andreas Meyer, were born in Alberschweiler, Bavaria, and there engaged in farming, though the father combined the work of a carpenter with that along agricultural lines, and there his death occurred. The military life held for the family more or less interest, as Mathias Meyer served in the German army. The mother of our Mr. Meyer, formerly Katherine Sinner, died when he was still in infancy, and of the four children born to her only two are now living, Conrad Meyer being the only one in America. He was born in the same location as his forefathers, the date of his birth being December 4, 1845, and he was reared to the age of thirteen years on his father's farm. Until that age the privileges of the common school were his, and through his attendance of them he gained the foundation for the struc- ture which he has reared in the later years, For three years following the close of his school days he served an apprenticeship at the baker and confectioner's trade, and thereafter. for about five years, he traveled throughout Germany as a journeyman. In full confidence that his prospects would be brighter on this side of the Atlantic he sailed in 1866 for the United States, and on his arrival spent some time in Williamsburg and Brooklyn, and from that location journeyed to New England.

After five months in Providence, R. I., he re- moved to Boston, and remained there until 1867, when he came to Oregon, led to do so by the fact of having an uncle in Corvallis, Benton county. . He sailed from New York City to Panama, and thence to San Francisco and Portland by water. Upon his arrival in the latter city he entered the employ of Alisky & Heggle. bakers and confectioners, and re- mained there for three years, holding the re- sponsible position of foreman. In 1870 he had acquired sufficient means to justify an in- dependent venture in the commercial world, and he bought out Fisher, located on Front street, near Morrison's bakery and restaurant, and conducted a business under the firm name of Stolte & Mever, which was later changed to Smeer & Meyer. For two years he continued there with lucrative returns, but at that time he met with the misfortune of losing all he

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had in the business through a fire, and through having no insurance he was somewhat dis- couraged. He came to Corvallis at that pe- riod with the intention of making this visit his last one, as he intended then to return east and locate once more in Providence. His uncle, George Gerhard, used his influence to induce another decision, as he plainly foresaw a success for Mr. Meyer in the west if he per- severed in his efforts. Yielding to Mr. Ger- hard's persuasions he decided to remain yet a little longer here, and in September, 1872, he became bookkeeper for the firm of Meyer & Hauck, in Albany, and in 1876 he was again financially able to conduct a business for him- self. In that year he purchased the business of William Strong, who was then in the pres- ent location of Mr. Meyer, and began again a forward march toward independence, combin- ing the grocery business with that of a baker. In the twenty-seven years which have elapsed since the date of his purchase Mr. Meyer has risen to a place of prominence in the commer- cial life of the city, through the returns of a lucrative custom, which has been built up by his undivided efforts along such lines, making many material changes in the appearance of the place. In his first location, at the corner of First and Broadalbin streets, he owns sixty- seven hundred square feet, and upon it has erected a handsome building of three stores, of which he occupies the corner store, and in addition to this he has several residence prop- erties in the city. His bakery is large and well furnished, the oven having a capacity of about a thousand loaves, and in this business, the most extensive of its kind in the city, he always keeps from two to three helpers.

The marriage of Mr. Meyer occurred in Al- bany, Ore., and united him with Miss Katie Rademacher, a native of Prussia and the daughter of Mrs. Philip Phile, of Corvallis, by her first husband, John Rademacher, an early settler in Corvallis. Three sons have been born of the union, Charles, Lorenz and Conrad, all of whom find employment with their father.

In his fraternal relations Mr. Meyer is asso- ciated with various orders, having been made a member of the Odd Fellows in Portland, and is now a member of the lodge at Albany, in which he is serving as past officer; of the Encampment he is also past officer. He be- longs also to the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Order of Pendo. Relig- iously, Mr. Meyer is a member of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, and politically is a Republican. Through his long residence in Albany, Mr. Meyer has come to be a highly appreciated citizen, his worth and integrity

fully proved in his business and social life, and he now enjoys the esteem of a large circle of friends.

ELIAS B. PENLAND. Among the real es- tate men of Albany, E. B. Penland occupies a prominent place, and his successful career re- flects undisputed credit upon his native state of Oregon. Born in Philomath, Benton county, September 9, 1855, he represents the third gen- eration of his family to contribute to the upbuild- ing of the northwest, the first and second gen- erations being represented respectively by his grandfather, Levi Elsa, and his father, Henry. For many years Levi Penland was a large land- owner and extensive stock-raiser in his native state of Kentucky, where his son Henry was born in 1833, at Lexington, and whence he re- moved when the latter was twelve years old to Missouri. Eight years later, in 1852, the family crossed the plains with ox teams, the grandfather bringing with him a fine stallion called Rifle Stock, one of the first blooded horses to be in- troduced in the state, and from whom was sired many valuable thoroughbreds. Levi Penland set- tled on a claim six miles south of Philomath, and there passed the balance of his life, raising stock and farming. Henry Penland located on a claim of half a section one-half mile east of the town site of Philomath, and in 1858 sold his farm and located on another near Halsey. He was very successful as a stock dealer and raiser, and at the time of his death in 1889, at the age of fifty- seven, owned six hundred and forty acres of land, a large part of which was under cultiva- tion. He was a Republican in politics, was fra- ternally allied with the Masons, and found a religious home in the Methodist Episcopal Church.

His wife, formerly Martha J. Brown, was born in Indiana in 1840, a daughter of Elias Brown, a farmer of that state, who started to cross the plains in 1847, and died on the way. His wife continued the journey with her child and took up a claim on Mary's river, where she married a Mr. Allen, and after his death be- came the wife of Mr. Spencer. Mr. and Mrs. Spencer finally took up their residence in Cor- vallis, where both died. Mrs. Penland, who became the wife of Mr. Quick of Halsey, had four children by her first marriage, the oldest of whom is Elias B. Levi Elsa, named after his grandfather, is living at Pendleton, Ore .; Clara is the wife of H. C. Davis of Eugene; and Fan- nie is the wife of. Dr. P. T. Starr of Engene.

While on the home farm near Halsey, Elias B. Penland' attended the district schools, and for one winter studied at the Willamette University. At the age of eighteen he began farming inde-

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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 57

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