Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 68

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 68

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).

The subject of this review, the second youngest child in the family, is the only one residing in the United States. After being graduated from the Charlottetown normal school his inclination led him to ship aboard a merchant vessel, and for two years he was en- gaged in the East Indian trade. He signed in the capacity of supercargo, sailing under Cap- tain Steward. During his voyages he visited Calcutta, Madras and the most important ports of China and Japan. Upon the expiration of his two years' service upon the sea he engaged in educational work in Ontario, continuing to follow the profession of teaching for several years. In the meantime he began the study of medicine under the direction of Dr. Hark- ness of Dundas, Ontario, and afterward entered the literary department of Victoria University at Coburg. Subsequently he matriculated in the Royal Medical College, from which he re- ceived the degrees of M. D. and C. M. in 1888.

In the meantime, in 1885, his studies had been interrupted by the outbreak of the dis- turbances in the Canadian northwest known in history as the Louis Riel Rebellion, in which he served as second lieutenant in com- pany D, P. W. R., until the close of the insur- rection. After having received an honorable discharge he resumed his preparation for a medical career. From 1885 to 1887 he occu- pied the position of demonstrator of anatomy in the Royal Medical College and graduated with the highest honors a surgeon in the Kingston General Hospital in 1888. In the winter of 1891 he occupied the post of house surgeon in the Royal London Ophthalmic Hos- pital. In 1892 he pursued a special course of study in the New York Post Graduate School, devoting his researches there to diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. In 1898 he pur- sted studies along the same lines in the Chi-

504

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

cago Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat College. He also studied in Vienna under Professors Polit- zer and Schnitzler.

Dr. Gillis maintained an office in Truro, Nova Scotia, until 1890. After his return, in 1893, from his studies in the principal medical centers of Europe, he located in Salem, where he has been continuously engaged in practice for ten years, devoting especial attention to those diseases for which he has thoroughly prepared himself. He is located in the Bush building, and has an extensive and lucrative practice, which is constantly growing in im- portance.

In 1890 Dr. Gillis married Anna Marie Krebs, cousin of the famous concert pianiste, Marie Krebs. Like her cousin, Mrs. Gillis has de- voted her entire life to music, her musical edu- cation being completed abroad. While in Ber- lin she studied under Karl Klindworth. In Vienna she had the distinguished honor of being accepted by Theodore Leschetizky.

At their home Dr. and Mrs. Gillis dispense a lavish hospitality, both having a large and ap- preciative circle of friends in Salem. Dr. Gillis is popular in the Masonic fraternity. He was made a member of the craft in Arcadia Lodge No. 4, and is now identified with Salem Lodge No. 4. A. F. & A. M .; Royal Arch Chapter No. 7, of Salem ; De Molay Commandery No. 5. of which he is Past Eminent Commander ; Al Kader Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, of Portland, and has taken all the Scottish Rite degrees up to and including the thirty-second. He was made an Odd Fellow in Ontario, and is a charter member of the Benevolent Pro- tective Order of Elks. He is also connected with the Illihee Club and the Greater Salem Commercial Club.

In 1897 Dr. Gillis was appointed by the pen- sion department to the position of expert pen- sion examiner. He is also a member of the State Board of Medical Examiners, having been appointed by Governor Lord and reap- pointed by Governors Geer and Chamberlain. He holds membership in the Marion County Medical Society, and for some time has occu- pied the chair of ophthalmology and laryngology in the medical department of Willamette Uni- versity. On the 11th of July, 1808, he received from Governor Lord the appointment as sur- geon-general of the Oregon National Guard with the rank of Colonel, and was reappointed by Governor Geer, and still holds the office.

During the years of his practice in Salem Dr. Gillis has come to be recognized by his professional contemporaries as one of the most highly qualified practitioners in his specialty in the state. His scientific labors have been rewarded with a great measure of success,

which has come to him as the logical result of close application, a strong intellect and marked devotion to his chosen calling. He is still as great a student as ever, and keeps constantly abreast of the most advanced thought in medi- cal science. Dr. Gillis is a man of fine phy- sique, pleasing presence and an engaging per- sonality, and is honored and respected by all who know him.

JAMES K. CHARLTON. Occupying a place of distinction among the most respected residents of Albany is James K. Charlton, a retired agriculturist, and an ex-sheriff of Linn county. He is a typical representative of the self-made men of our state, beginning life with no other equipments than the energetic ambi- tion and force of character natural to him. Without a query as to whether or no life was worth living, he has done his best from youth up to make it so, and by sheer force of an active spirit and an indomitable will, guided by sound sense and high principles, he has met with grand success in his business career. A Virginian by birth, he was born in Monroe, W. Va., May 30, 1824, a son of John Charlton. His Grandfather Charlton, a life-long farmer of Monroe, W. Va., was a direct descendant of one of the early Scotch settlers of the Old Dominion and inherited in a marked degree the thrift and industrious habits of his ancestors.

Born on a farm in Monroe, W. Va., John Charlton lived in his native town until 1826, when he removed with his family to Greenbrier county, W. Va., locating on a farm where he remained until 1848. He then removed to Jef- ferson county, lowa, and later moved to Davis county, same state, where he died. He mar- ried Charlotte Kyle, who was born in West Virginia, and died in Oregon. Her father, John Kyle, who was born in Ireland, emigrated to this country when sixteen years of age, and settled in West Virginia, where he was for many years a noted school teacher. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. John Charlton ten chil- dren were born, five of whom came from lowa to Oregon, namely: Charles, now residing in Ellensburg, Wash .; James K., the special sub- ject of this sketch; Madison, who died in Sprague, Wash. ; Allen, who lives near Ellens- burg, Wash .; and Mrs. William Cyrus, of Salem, Orc.

Obtaining a limited education in the sub- scription schools of his native town, James K. Charlton struck out for himself in 1846. Walk- ing to Charleston, W. Va., a distance of one hundred and ten miles, he then proceeded by boat down the Big Kanawha river to the Ohio river, then down that stream, and up the Mis-

John Much

507

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

sissippi river to Keokuk, Iowa. Continuing his journey on foot he walked sixty miles before reaching his point of destination, Fairfield, Jef- ferson county. Although the rich prairie land through which he passed could be bought for $1.25 per acre, he had not money enough to obtain title to a little bit of it. Going to work on a farm for $10.00 a month, he remained in that locality until the fall of the year, when he went to the Wisconsin pineries, where he re- mained during the winter season. Returning to Fairfield, Iowa, in the spring of 1847, he married and settled on a farm, which he con- ducted with fair success a number of years. Being stricken with the gold fever in 1850, he with two of his brothers crossed the Missouri river at Council Bluffs and started for Cali- fornia with ox-teams, taking the old California trail. On account of the prevalence of cholera along that route Mr. Charlton decided while at Fort Bridger, Wyo., to change his plans and come to Oregon. Arriving in the Willamette valley on September 8, 1850, he and his broth- ers spent the winter in a logging camp, then went to California, where they were engaged in prospecting a short time.

Soon afterward Mr. Charlton sailed from San Francisco for Panama and, having crossed the Isthmus on foot, took the ship Cherokee bound for New York City, from there returning to Fairfield, Iowa, by way of Chicago. Re- suming his farming operations he resided there until 1853, when he moved with his family to Putnam county, Mo., where he was engaged in tilling the soil until 1866. Rigging up two wagons, one drawn by horses and the other by mules, he started, May 2, of that year, for Oregon, and arrived in Harrisburg, Linn county, July 28, 1866. Buying two hundred acres of land on the forks of the Santiam river, about eight miles east of Lebanon, he was there successfully engaged in farming and stock-raising until 1893, when he disposed of his property and moved to the village of Lebanon. Since the death of his wife, which occurred at Lebanon in 1893, Mr. Charlton has resided in Albany, where he is retired from the active cares of business.

In Iowa, in 1847, Mr. Charlton married Mar- tha Keltner, a native of Illinois, and they bc- came the parents of five children, namely An- drew, a farmer in Nevada: Mrs. Elizabeth Martin, who died in Albany ; Henry, who is en- gaged in the stock and lumber business near Pendleton ; Charles, who is guard in the state penitentiary at Salem, Ore .; and James. James Charlton, a finely educated young man, was first graduated from Albany College, afterward receiving his . diploma from Princeton Uni- versity, N. J., and then entered Columbia Law

School, in New York City, where he was grad- uated. Returning from New York to Oregon he opened a law office in Albany. Three months later a severe attack of lung fever so prostrated him that he was forced to leave the country for the benefit of his health. Going to Denver, Colo., he was there successfully en- gaged in the practice of his profession until his death, January 31, 1903. Mr. Charlton is actively identified with the Democratic party and has served with fidelity and ability in pub- lic office. In 1884 he was elected sheriff of Linn county and held the position two years. He was also county commissioner for two years, performing the duties devolving upon him in that capacity with the utmost satisfac- tion to all concerned. He is a practical Chris- tian and a valued member of the Baptist church.

JOHN A. HUNT. The Hunt family is de- serving of especial prominence in a record of the lives of the men who have shed lustre upon the history of Oregon for many reasons, not the least of which are the facts that it is one of the oldest English families to be founded in America, as well as one of the earliest pioneer families of the state of Oregon. Its representa- tives have won fame on the field of battle, in the legal arena, in statecraft, in literature and in various other honorable fields of endeavor. Prob- ably no other family has furnished to the country a greater number of men and women of distinc- tion.

John A. Hunt inherits from his Quaker an- cestors sterling traits of character and the thrift and industry which have enabled him to win a place among the most successful and honored citizens of the Willamette valley. He was born near Liberty, Ind., November 28, 1836, and is a son of John S. Hunt, a native of Smithfield, Ind. The latter emigrated to La Porte county, Ind., in 1835. erected the first house in the town of Byron, and became prominent and influ- ential in the early undertakings of that com- munity. After a few years' residence in that state he commenced to make preparations to cross the plains, and in March, 1847, started for Oregon, arriving at his destination with his family in the fall of that year. In the Waldo Hills, Marion county, he took up a claim, built a home, and soon afterward erected the first school-house in the vicinity. He also erected a building which he made the headquarters for his blacksmithing and gun shop, the first in the Waldo Hills. There was no lack of demand for his handiwork, and he prospered until selling out his interests in 1854. For many years thereafter he con-

508

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ducted a hotel in Salem, his little hostelry becom- ing a popular meeting ground for all who desired to learn of important local happenings. Here he died at the age of fifty-seven years, leaving behind him the legacy of a good name and a considerable property. His first wife, Temper- ance Estep, to whom he was married May 8, 1823, dying in 1851, he married for a second wife Mrs. Nancy Smith, widow of Dr. Smith, who clied July 1, 1847, on his way to Oregon. (For further family history, the reader is referred to the sketch of Jeptha T. Hunt, which appears elswhere in this volume.)

Although but eleven years of age when he arrived in Oregon, John A. Hunt retains a vivid recollection of his experiences on the plains, and of the part he bore in assisting in the establish- ment of the family in their new quarters. Nat- urally he spent a good deal of time about his father's shop, and he inherited the latter's me- chanical ability to a great extent. At the age of twenty he began to work at the wagon-maker's trade in Salem. In 1858 he moved upon a part of his father's donation claim, which he pro- ceeded to improve, and upon which he resided until 1877. His next place of residence was southern Oregon, where, in the vicinity of Oak- land, he purchased four hundred and fifty acres of land, and lived there until 1882. Being better satisfied with Marion county, he then located on the farm where he now lives, and which consists of two hundred and twenty acres. He also owns three hundred and twenty acres of his father's old place, making his total holdings five hundred and forty acres. He carries on general farming and stock-raising, making a specialty of Short- horn cattle and Cotswold sheep. Located twelve miles from Salem, on the state road, this prop- erty is valuable and finely developed, and Mr. Hunt is to be congratulated upon the happy chance which directed the footsteps of his father in this direction; also upon the wise manage- ment and business ability which has enabled him to accomplish so much toward the improvement of the agricultural interests of Marion county.

Through his marriage with Mary E. Amon, which occurred on July 9, 1858, five children were born into the family of Mr. Hunt. Of these Mary Caroline is deceased: Elizabeth G. is the wife of Franklin G. Albangh of Ashland, Ore .: Matilda A. lives at home : and the others are Howard B. and Nancy C., deceased, and an infant, deceased.

In politics independent. Mr. Hunt has exhib- ited a keen interest in public affairs of his neigh- borhood. While a resident of southern Oregon he served as a representative in the state legislature, and held numerous local offices. He was schoo! director for many years, and school clerk during a portion of that period. He is a member of

the Baptist Church, and has done much to further the interests of that denomination wherever he has resided. Mr. Hunt's life has been charac- terized by strict integrity and a devotion to the best interests of the public. Whenever the op- portunity to assist in the furtherance of any worthy enterprises has presented itself to him, he has been found a liberal contributor toward that end. In all respects he is acknowledged to be a man of public spirit, with broad and lib- eral ideas regarding questions of public policy. With the history and traditions of his ancient and honored family behind him, it is hardly to be wondered at that he has always been actuated by an ambition to do nothing to bring the name into disrepute, but, on the contrary, to add to its prestige by his own good works.

REV. SAMUEL GLASGOW IRVINE, D. D. Phillips Brooks once said "Great is he who in some special location does good and helpful work for his fellowmen. Greater still is he who, doing good work in his special oc- cupation, carries within his devotion to it a human nature so rich and true that it breaks through his profession and claims the love and honor of his fellow-men simply and truly as a man." These words emphasize the position which the late Rev. Samuel G. Irvine, D. D., occupied during his long and useful pastorate in the United Presbyterian Church of Albany, Ore. A man of deep religious convictions, the dominant forces of his character were sin- cerity of purpose and absolute fidelity to the higher interests of his parish and people. A certain inspiration or fervor marked his spir- itual labors, and his wonderful personality at- tracted to him persons of all kinds and condi- tions, rendering his ministrations beneficial not only to those under his immediate charge but to the entire community. A descendant on both sides of the house of Scotch divines, he was born August 14, 1826, in Wooster, Ohio, and died October 31, 1895, in Albany, Ore. His father, Rev. Samuel Irvine, D. D., was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, of pure Scotch an- cestry. Coming to America with his parents when young, he was brought up in Hunting- don county, Pa., where he received his ele- mentary education. After his graduation from Jefferson College he assumed charge of the Associate Presbyterian Church at Wooster, Ohio, and subsequently preached in different localities in that state, remaining there until his death, in 1861. He married Maria Glas- gow, who was born in Pennsylvania, being a descendant of an honored Scotch family that produced several ministers of note.

Receiving his early education in the public

509

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

schools of Wooster and Fredericksburg, Ohio, Samuel G. Irvine subsequently worked for some time as a clerk in a general store, there acquiring such business knowledge and habits as were ever afterward of great value to him. Desirous, however, of continuing his studies, he entered Franklin College, at New Athens, where he was graduated with the degrees of A. B. and A. M. in 1845. Afterward he studied theology at Canonsburg, Pa., for two years, leaving college before graduation to accept the presidency of Muskingum College at New Concord, Ohio, and while there completed his studies under private tutors. On July 9, 1850, he was licensed to preach by the Muskingum Presbytery, by which he was ordained as a minister March 12, 1851. Subsequently preach- ing as opportunity afforded he had charge of a mission church in New York City from May, 1851, until the following August, when the As- sociate Synod appointed him as missionary in the wilds of Oregon.

Leaving New York City in August, 1851, Dr. Irvine and his wife came by way of Panama to San Francisco and after spending a few weeks in that city arrived at Willamette, Ore., in October of that year. Preaching his first ser- mon in Oregon City on November 9, 1851, he came up the valley the next week to Albany, where he soon after laid the foundation for his future work. Taking up a donation claim ten miles south of Albany and about a half mile east of the Willamette, he there established his home and began his ministerial labors. In common with his few neighbors he endured all the privations and hardships of pioneer life courageously, by his cheerful bravery, manli- ness and hearty sympathy, helping others to wisely bear their heavy burdens. His salary being meagre and educators few, he taught in a district school for a time, and for a year was an instructor in Albany College. In 1856 he was largely instrumental in merging the Asso- ciate Presbyterian Church and the Associate Reformed Church with the United Presby- terian Church, and for a number of years there- after had charge of the Willamette and Albany churches. His influence in both organizations proved rich and salutary, his services being highly appreciated by the intelligent people that made up his congregations. As the churches grew in size and power, his time was wholly taken up by one society, so that, in 1874, he resigned his Willamette charge, from that time until the fall of 1893 devoting his work to the Albany church, his labors in the Master's vineyard, with the exception of two years spent in the east, being almost contin- uous for more than four decades. In 1860 he journeyed east with his family, going by way prominent merchant of Cambridge. She was

of the isthmus, and returning in 1861. In 1869 he made another visit to his eastern home and in 1878 he spent a short time in Ohio, while there being honored by his alma mater with the degree of D. D. He likewise had the dis- tinction of serving as moderator of the Gen- eral Assembly which met that year in Cam- bridge, Ohio. For a number of years Dr. Irv- ine served most faithfully as one of the trus- tees of Albany College, and for two terms was identified with the educational progress of the state as superintendent of the Linn county schools. He was a staunch Republican in poli- tics, and took a keen interest in local affairs.

The doctor's last illness was long and pain- ful, but he bore all of his afflictions without murmur, cheerfully submitting to God's will, trusting that, as the poet says, "somehow, good will be the final goal of ill." Troubled with rheumatism for many years, even to the extent of losing the sight of one eye and being threatened with total blindness, he neverthe- less retained the full mental vigor for which his youth was distinguished, and continued in active service until compelled to take to his bed in August, 1892. In January, 1893, his life was brought very near to its close by an aggravated attack of pneumonia. He rallied, however, and for awhile there were bright hopes of his complete recovery. A relapse oc- curred in the summer, and in October, 1893, he sent in his resignation as pastor of the Albany church. The congregation, while feeling sorry to be obliged to accept the resignation of their faithful pastor and beloved friend, requested that the doctor might remain with them as pas- tor emeritus, which was conceded, with the provision that it should go into effect the fol- lowing June. This delay gave Dr. Irvine an opportunity to act as host to the General As- sembly, which was to convene in Albany at its next annual meeting. Though filled with physical suffering, his last days were filled with joy and brightness, and he passed away peacefully and quietly, as one who lies down to pleasant slumber.

"His youth was innocent ; his riper age Marked with some acts of goodness every day ; And watched by eyes that loved him, calm and sage,

Fadcd his late declining years away ; Cheerful he gave his being up and went To share the holy rest that waits a life well spent."

Dr. Irvine married first, March 27, 1851, in Cambridge, Ohio, Mary Rainey, who was born in Ireland, and came to America with her father, William Rainey, for many years a

510

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

a woman of culture and a graduate of Steuben- ville Seminary, Ohio. She died in the spring of 1869, leaving four children, namely : Maria, a graduate of Albany College, married W. H. Gaston, and died in Tacoma, Wash., in 1896; Mrs. Cora J. Stewart, of Albany, who was also graduated from Albany College; Eliza- beth, of Albany, was graduated from Musk- ingum College, New Concord, Ohio ; and O. H., formerly an attorney at McMinnville, Ore., died in 1901. The doctor married for his sec- ond wife, December 6, 1871, Mrs. Margaret M. Osburn, of Peoria, Ore. Mrs. Irvine was born in Warren county, Ill., near Little York. Her father, James Martin, a native of Cambridge, Ohio, and of thrifty Scotch-Irish ancestry, was an early settler of Illinois, and one of its pio- neer farmers. Starting for Oregon in 1852 he left Missouri in April, crossing the plains with mule and horse teams, and arrived in Peoria, Linn county, Ore., in September, 1852, bring- ing with him his wife and child. Purchasing land, he cleared a good farm, and was here en- gaged in his chosen occupation during his re- maining years. His wife, whose maiden name was Nancy Smith, was born in Pennsylvania and died in Linn county, Ore., in 1894. Both were members of the United Presbyterian Church. Margaret M. Martin, their only child, married first Alfred H. Osburn, a native of Pennsylvania, and for many years a teacher in Linn county schools. He died in manhood's prime, leaving one child, Nancy Temperance, wife of J. W. Blain, of Oakland, Cal. Dr. and Mrs. Irvine became the parents of two chil- dren, namely : Samuel E. and J. Clement. Samuel E. Irvine. who was graduated from both the Albany and the Monmouth colleges, studied theology at Allegheny Seminary, and is now pastor of the United Presbyterian Church at Etna, Pa. J. Clement Irvine, a graduate of Albany College, is now assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Albany.

County Kildare, Ireland, the home of his an- cestors for many generations. His paternal grandfather, John Riley, emigrated from the Emerald Isle to the United States and settled in St. Louis, Mo., where he followed his trade of a merchant tailor until his death.

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 68

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