Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 66

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 66

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In an effort to earn an independent livelihood Isaac Stevens left home when of age, working as a farm hand by the month. For two years also he followed mining and prospecting in Idaho. Upon again settling in Marion county, he was married November 9, 1865, to Catherine Ann McAlfresh, a native of Ohio, who came to Oregon with her parents in 1852. Soon after the couple went to live on a rented farm on Howell Prairie, and after three years, in 1868, bought a portion of his father's old donation claim, con- sisting of one hundred and fifty-four acres. At present he owns all of the claim with the ex- ception of the fifty acres presented to his son, and is engaged in general farming and stock- raising. Many modern improvements attest the enterprise and thrift of this well-to-do agricul- turist, and his home is one of the pleasantest and most convenient in the county.

Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Stevens, the order of their birth being as fol- lows : Ellis, a farmer of this county; Vina, de- ceased; Ermie, the wife of Edward Bateson of Crook county ; Willard, a creameryman of the vi- cinity of Lyons; and Millie, who is living at home. Although independent in politics, Mr. Stevens has promoted all good political conditions in his neighborhood, and has acceptably served as school director and clerk, the latter for eleven years. He has also been road supervisor, and

has held other local offices within the gift of his fellow townsmen. As a member of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church Mr. Stevens has been an active worker for about thirty years, and is trus- tee of the church, also one of its most generous financial supporters. His farm, his character, and his general standing in the community, are consistent with reliability and substantial west- ern citizenship.

HON. C. D. HARTMAN. Among the many men who are successfully following the vocation of farming in Marion county, the name of C. D. Hartman is entitled to especial mention. Mr. Hartman is known as one of the most public- spirited citizens of Marion county. He served for one term as representative in the Oregon state legislature, and for twelve years has been a member of the school board of Scott's Mills, his place of residence. Besides carrying on general farming and stock-raising, he owned and oper- ated a threshing machine for a number of years, and also at one time conducted a saw-mill.

Mr. Hartman is a native of Marion county, having been born November 23, 1863, on the farm which is still his home, and which is a part of the donation claim located by his parents. He is a son of John and Mary ( Moser) Hartman, the former a North Carolinian by birth, and the latter a native of Indiana.

John Hartman was one of the most prominent men of his day in the Willamette valley. While still a young man he married and settled in Mis- souri, where he followed the plasterer's trade for some time at St. Joseph. In 1852 he decided to locate in Oregon, and accordingly crossed the plains in an emigrant wagon, drawn by an ox team, being six months on the way. On this trip the party of which he was a member experi- enced some trouble with the Indians, who at one time stole their cattle, which, however, they eventually succeeded in recovering.

Arriving in Oregon they proceeded at once to Marion county, where Mr. Hartman took up a donation claim of three hundred and twenty acres, about six and a half miles northeast of the present site of Silverton, on the Silverton and Scott's Mills road. Upon this farm, which was entirely undeveloped. Mr. Hartman built a log hut for the use of his family. This was replaced later on by a more modern and substantial house, which he also built. For a number of years he engaged principally in stock-raising. Gradually. however, he cultivated a little more land, and finally carried on general farming, to which he devoted the later years of his life.

John Hartman was well-known throughont the valley, and to know him was to be his friend. His popularity was attested by the fact that he was elected to each and every office to which he

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aspired, and at different times held all the minor offices within the gift of the people. He was one of the organizers of the Grange, and for many years devoted much of his time to furthering its interests. He was extremely charitable, and took an active part in the work of the church, never shirking his religious duties.

John Hartman and his wife became the par- ents of ten children. Of these, three died in in- fancy. Those living are the following: E. M., a resident of Wapinitia, Ore .; Barbara E., wife of Joseph Moore; I. V., wife of John Scott ; Jennie ; Addie, of Portland; C. D., the subject of this biography; and H. C. The latter was born in 1866, and continued to reside on the home place until his marriage to Effie Prather. He then settled on the east half of the donation claim. His farm consists of one hundred and seventy-four acres, and he has over one hundred acres under cultivation. A tract of fifteen acres is devoted to the production of hops, the yield of which in 1902 was about seventeen thousand pounds. Three children have been born to him and his wife: Floy, Rowland, deceased; and Bernice. Their farm contains many fine im- provements, including a comfortable dwelling, and the family have many friends in the com- munity.

C. D. Hartman received but a limited educa- tion, obtained by attendance at the district schools. He was united in marriage with Josie Cobb, a native of Illinois, who came to Oregon in 1892. Soon after their marriage the young people went to housekeeping on the home place. where they still reside, the beloved and aged mother of our subject residing with them. Mr. Hartman has added to the home place until he now owns three hundred and fifty acres, .one hundred and thirty acres of which are under cultivation. He carries on general farming and stock-raising, making a specialty of Short-horn cattle. A tract of about thirty acres is devoted to hop culture, the yield in this line alone in 1902 being thirty-eight thousand pounds. Many mod- ern improvements have been added to his farm. which contains a convenient modern dwelling, with complete farm buildings.

Fraternally Mr. Hartman affiliates with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having passed all the chairs in his lodge, and is also identified with the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of America. He has one son, Earl G.

Mr. Hartman has always been a Republican, and from the time he cast his first vote he has taken a more than ordinarily active interest in the workings of the party in Oregon. As a nomince of that party he was elected as representative to the Oregon state legislature, and served in the office for one term, with distinct credit to him- self and his constituents. He has always exhib-

ited a keen interest in those movements which have been intended to promote the general wel- fare of the community, giving freely of his time and money toward their success. Though a com- paratively young man, he has become widely known throughout the Willamette valley, chiefly by reason of the success which has attended his farming operations and the public-spirit which has characterized him in all his undertakings which were not of a private nature. He is re- garded as one of the most substantial and worthy citizens of Marion county, and his selection for further high public office probably will be deter- mined entirely by his own desires in the matter.

NEELY J. JUDAH, who is now serving for the third term as city recorder of Salem, was born in San Francisco, December 24, 1856. The an- cestry of the family can be traced back through many generations to France, whence representa- tives of the name came to America. The paternal great-grandfather of the judge was a Jewish rabbi. His grandfather, Rev. Henry Judah, a man of broad learning and strong men- tality, embraced the Christian faith and be- came an Episcopal minister. For many years he resided in New York City, and there died. Charles D. Judah, the father of the judge, was born in Bridgeport, Conn., and after com- pleting a college course was admitted to the bar in New York. In that state he married Miss Elmira Elizabeth Smith, a native of New York City and a daughter of Floyd Smith, who for many years was vice-president of the Man- hattan Gas Light Company. He was a member of a prominent old New York family, and mar- ried Katherine Ritter, of Knickerbocker stock.

In 1849, Charles D. Judah came, with his little family, to the Pacific coast, making the journey by way of Panama to San Francisco, where he entered upon the practice of law in partnership with John K. Hackett. They constituted one of the old and distinguished law firms of that city, and for many years Mr. Judah continued in suc- cessful practice there, but ultimately retired from his profession and returned to Delaware, where his last days were passed. He was a musician of exceptional ability, and was instrumental in hav- ing shipped around Cape Horn the first grand organ ever brought to the coast. This was erected under his supervision in Trinity Episco- pal Church, and for many years he served as its organist. Later he became organist in St. Mary's Catholic Cathedral, having been converted to the Catholic faith.

In the family of Charles D. and Elmira E. (Smith) Judah were nine children, of whom three are living, namely: Henry R., who is assistant general passenger agent of the South-

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ern Pacific Railroad Company, at San Francisco; Neely J., of this review, and Mrs. Florence Til- ton, of Victoria, British Columbia.

Judge Judah, of this review, spent the days of his youth in San Francisco, and there completed the high school course. In boyhood he had great love of the sea, and in his youth he made many trips upon the ocean. In 1873 he entered the United States navy as a member of the crew of the Saranac, doing duty in the waters of the north and south Pacific. After two years' service he was honorably discharged, and then going east he again joined the navy for special duty, responding to a call for volunteers to aid in the care of yellow fever sufferers at Pensacola, Fla., in 1875. He was located there for over one year, and rose through the ranks to an official position. In 1876 he was again honorably discharged, and in that year he visited the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia. Subsequently he made his way southward, and at Charlotte's Harbor, Fla., he entered the merchant service as master of the schooner Richard Morgan, plying between Char- lotte's Harbor and Havana. This vessel was wrecked in the gulf. during a severe storm, the accident resulting largely from the faulty rigging of the schconer, and not from bad seamanship. His crew of seven men entered the life-boat with him and rowed sixty-eight miles to Charlotte's Harbor.

Mr. Judah then passed into western Texas for a time, and was married, while at Sweet- water, to Miss Ella H. Sloper. In 1884 Mr. Ju- dah was elected county clerk of Nolan county, Tex., and after serving for two years, was re- elected in 1886, acting in that capacity until July, 1887, when he resigned and removed to Los An- geles, Cal. While there he acted as notary public and searcher of records for four years. In Sep- tember, 1891, he arrived in Salem, acting as searcher of records, under Col. Harry Waters, for the Salem Land & Abstract Company. Later he resigned and became a clerk in the insurance office of the firm of Mitchell & Lunn, and after- ward became connected with the Statesman, as its advertising agent ; subsequently he was a member of the reportorial staff, his connection with the journal covering six years in all. He then re- signed to enter upon the duties of the office of city recorder, to which he had been elected in December, 1898, on the Citizens' ticket. He was given an excellent majority, and that he mani- fested marked fidelity and capability in the dis- charge of the duties of the office is indicated by the fact that in 1900, and again in 1902, he was re-elected, entering upon his third term January 6, 1903. He is also ex-officio justice of the peace and police judge for Salem city.

In politics Mr. Judah is independent, with

socialistic tendencies. He is a man fearless in defense of his honest convictions, unequivocal in his position, and no one has occasion to question upon which side he is to be found. While re- siding in Sweetwater, Tex., he was made a Mason in Sweetwater Lodge No. 571, A. F. & A. M., and by affiliation is now connected with Pacific Lodge No. 50, of Salem. He also holds relations with the Woodmen of the World, with the Knights of the Maccabees and the Salem Press Club, the Order of Lions, and formerly belonged to Ramona Parlor, Native Sons of the Golden West, of Los Angeles. He is also the secretary of the Greater Salem Commercial Club. Under the auspices of the latter club the Greater Salem Mid-Summer Carnival was conducted, lasting from June 29 to July 4, 1903. It was pro- nounced a thorough success, no little credit being due to the general manager, Mr. Judah. An en- terprising citizen, liberal and progressive, Mr. Judah is well known in his adopted city, and the circle of his friends is extensive. His has been an eventful and interesting career, and the rem- iniscences of his travels and experiences make him an entertaining conversationalist.

NANCY W. HARRIS. The daughter and granddaughter of pioneers, it was natural that Mrs. Nancy W. Harris should have the same courage that made her ancestors leave their homes in the land of their birth, and start away into the wilderness to aid in the upbuilding of a new territory and grapple with the greater opportunities of a new country. Her grand- father, Francis Hodge, of English blood, made his home in North Carolina, where he married Miss Nancy Walker, who was of Scotch-Irish descent. Their son, William H. Hodge, the father of Mrs. Harris of this review, was born in Wentworth, Rockingham county, N. C., January 14. 1794. In 1820, he settled in San- gamon county, Ill., having previously spent some time in Tennessee and Kentucky. In Kentucky he married Miss Rachel Wall, a na- tive of that state, born in Warren county, March 9, 1799. Their marriage occurred in 1814, the couple being very youthful. Mr. Hodge spent his years engaged in tilling the soil, though for four years, from 1827 to 1831, he served as sheriff of Tazewell county, Ill. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hodge, of whom Margaret Robinson is de- ceased; Nancy W. Harris is the subject of this review, and was born in Sangamon county, Ill .. November 26, 1821 ; Andrew met his death in the Mexican war; Newton lives in McLean county, Ill .; Mary J. Hill makes her home in California; William lives in Mc-

Eaud. Hirsch

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Lean county, Ill .; James resides in the same location; and Harriet Woodworth lives in Bloomington, Ill. The father and mother both died in McLean county, to which they had come at an early day, mention being made of them as among the first settlers of that county.

Nancy W. Hodge married Hugh C. Harris, who was born in Athens county, Ohio, December 20, 1818, the son of Francis Harris. The Har- ris family settled early in Delaware county, Ind., and there Hugh C. grew to manhood and engaged in farming. When twenty-one years of age he left home, and coming to Illinois, he settled in McLean county in the neighbor- hood of the Hodge farm, where he engaged in farming for himself. April 7, 1840, occurred the marriage of Nancy W. Hodge and Hugh C. Harris, the two making their home in Illi- nois until 1853, when they decided to try their fortunes on the western slope of the United States, both having the pioneer principles firm- ly implanted in their lives. They commenced the journey March 18, 1853, from the home place in McLean county, bound for Oregon. They started with twenty-two head of cattle, but on their arrival at Eola September 18 of the same year they had but eleven. The same winter they bought a farm near Rickreall, Polk county, where they continued to live for five years, at the end of which time they traded for their present place, a farm of one hundred and ninety acres located at Oak Grove. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Harris are as follows: William H., deceased : Mariam Allen, of Salem; Emmeline Hannah, of Salem ; Charles, deceased; Elizabeth Heise, on an adjoining farm; Scott, of Spokane, Wash .; Belle Putnam, of Gilliam county ; Mary Chitwood, deceased ; Emerson, at home ; Ollie Goodnough, of Portland ; and Andrew, of California. Five of the children were born in their Illinois home.

The death of Mr. Harris, April 27, 1888, was a much regretted occurrence, he being acciden- tally killed while on the road to Rickreall with a load of produce. He had always been a prominent man in the community, taking an intelligent interest in the affairs of the day. serving as road supervisor and in various school offices for several years. He was a Republi- can in politics. Religiously he belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church of Oak Grove, where Mrs. Harris still holds membership.

EDWARD HIRSCH, one of the representa- tive citizens of Oregon, has held many offices of public trust and has been found loyal and efficient because he is an honorable business man and be-

cause of a social, genial nature which is quick to recognize true worth in others. Everywhere these qualities have won for him warm regard, and it is safe to say that few men in Oregon have more friends than has Edward Hirsch, who is now postmaster at Salem. He has been a resi- dent of this state since 1858. His father was Sampson Hirsch and in the family were ten children, who came to the new world, while six of the number became residents of Oregon. In the year 1854 Leopold Hirsch arrived in this state and after engaging in merchandising in Portland for a time, followed a similar pursuit in Salem, where his death occurred. In 1856 J. B. Hirsch arrived in Salem, where he carried on merchandising until his death. In 1856 Mayer Hirsch likewise arrived in this city and was an enterprising merchant here until his life's labors were ended. In 1858 Solomon and Edward Hirsch came to this state, the former settling in Portland. In 1864, Mrs. Herman, a sister, also arrived in Portland.

Edward Hirsch was born May 3, 1836, in Hohebach, Wurtemberg, Germany, and when only nine years of age was left an orphan. He then left his native village and went to Esslingen, where he resided for five years, during that time acquiring a good common-school education. At the age of fifteen he was apprenticed to a mer- chant in Giebelstadt, Bavaria, where he remained for four years, and in 1855 he sailed for America, attracted by the business possibilities and oppor- tunities of the new world. Manassa and Bern- hard Hirsch, his brothers, had previously located in New York, where they were engaged in mer- chandising. As a passenger on the sailing ves- sel Splendid, Edward Hirsch left Havre, France, in 1855 and after a voyage of forty-two days reached New York City. Soon afterward, how- ever, he went to Sheakleyville, Mercer county. Pa., where he was engaged in clerking, receiving about $75 per year in remuneration for his serv- ices. He then went to Griffin, Ga., where he ob- tained a salary of $200 per year, and later at Macon, Ga., he was paid $300 per year. In 1858 he accompanied his brother Solomon to Oregon . by way of the New York route and the Isthmus of Panama, the fare being $200. They left New York in March as passengers in the Star of the West, which took them to Aspinwall. and from there they sailed on the Golden Age to San Fran- cisco, where, upon the steamer Pacific, they came to Portland and in April, 1858. Mr. Hirsch, of this review, arrived in Salem. He had practically no capital, but he had good credit, and under the firm name and style of E. & S. Hirsch he and his brother Solomon opened a general mercantile store at Dallas, Polk county, the place then con- taining a population of about one hundred.

After two years spent at that place the brothers

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returned to Silverton, Marion county, where they opened a general mercantile store and remained there four years, at the end of which time they disposed of their enterprise and dissolved the partnership. Solomon Hirsch then went to Port- land, while Edward Hirsch came to Salem. In 1863 he formed a business connection whereby he acted as a salesman for his brothers until 1866. In the meantime he had become interested in the Eagle Woolen Mills Company at Browns- ville, and in that year removed to Brownsville in order to become manager of the mills, which lie conducted until 1868.

In that year Mr. Hirsch was married in Salem and returned to this city to make his home. Here he engaged in general merchandising as a mem- ber of the firm of Herman & Hirsch, a connec- tion that was maintained continuously and suc- cessfully for ten years, or until his election to the office of state treasurer in 1878. He was nom- inated upon the Republican ticket and elected by a majority of eleven hundred, the highest major- ity given to any candidate on the ticket ; in fact, the candidate for governor was defeated, but Mr. Hirsch's election was the beginning of Repub- lican successes in the state and many a victory has his party since enjoyed. He took the oath of office in September, 1878, and filled the posi- tion so acceptably and honorably that in 1882 he was re-nominated and re-elected, receiving a greatly increased majority, numbering about five thousand. He then served until January, 1887, a law having been passed to end the term of office in that month. He left the position not only with the confidence and respect which was given him when he entered it, but also with the com- mendation of the public. When he took the oath of office the state was $1,000,000 in debt and the taxes were seven mills on the dollar. At the close of his second term, owing to his capable control of the finances, the state was not only free from all indebtedness, but had met all cur- rent expenses, had erected a number of public buildings, including the state capitol and the insane asylum, the taxes had been reduced to less than two mills on the dollar and he turned over to his successor one-half million dollars in gold coin. This is the best record in the financial his- tory of Oregon.

Mr. Hirsch subsequently retired to private life, but his fellow citizens were not content that he should remain out of office and in 1890 he was chosen state senator, serving in the sessions of 1891 and 1893. During that time he was in- strumental in securing the passage of the bill for the completion of the state capitol and for in- stituting its heating and plumbing systems. His efforts resulted in the passage of other measures which proved of great public benefit, and in 1893 he was chairman of the important ways and

means committee. In August, 1898, Edward Hirsch was appointed by President Mckinley to the position of postmaster of Salem, taking the office August 15 of that year. In July, 1902, he was reappointed by President Roosevelt, so that he is now serving his second term. In March, 1903, the postal department of Salem was es- tablished in new offices. Under the adminis- tration of Mr. Hirsch, which has been practical and progressive, the postoffice receipts have been greatly increased, the business of the office has been systematized and extended and there are now nine different rural routes delivered from this office and five city delivery routes. In other local affairs Mr. Hirsch has been prominent and for three terms he lias served as a member of the city council of Salem. In 1876 he was chairman of the Republican County Central Committee and throughout the years of his residence here he has been untiring in his efforts to promote the growth and insure the success of Republican principles.

In 1868 Mr. Hirsch was married to Miss Nettie Davis, who was born in Prussia, and in 1867, with her parents, became a resident of Browns- ville, Linn county, Ore. To Mr. and Mrs. Hirsch were born seven children: Ella E .; Lulu, now Mrs. Byron Loomis; Guy; Maude, Mrs. Edwin McMahill, of Dayton, Ohio; Gertrude; Meyer, and Leona, all residents of Salem. Mr. Hirsch belongs to Chemeketa Lodge, No. I, I. O. O. F., of which he is past noble grand, and to Willam- ette Encampment, of which he is the past chief patriarch. He is also a member of Illihee Club. His record is indeed an honorable one and re- flects credit upon his native land and his adopted country. The pursuit of wealth has not been his sole object in life and, though he has pros- pered, he has yet found time and opportunity to aid his state to faithfully discharge the duties of high official positions and to throw around him much of the sunshine of life which comes from a genial nature, a kindly disposition, from deference for the opinion of others and from a recognition of the worth of those with whom he has been brought in contact.

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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 66

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