Portrait and biographical record of the Willamette valley, Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present, Part 76

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 76

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The oldest of the three sons and ten daugh- ters born to his parents, Thomas J. Graves, was educated in the public schools, at Bethel Academy, and at the Christan College at Monmouth, from which latter institution he was graduated in 1874 with the degree of B. S. His student life over, he returned to the old place, and has since devoted his ener- gies to improving it. Two hundred and eighty acres of the original property belongs to his brother in Portland, but he operates the whole farm, besides renting forty acres for hop culture, which he runs independent of his brother. He is engaged in generai farming and stock-raising, and, his property is equipped with the modern aids which facili- tate not only scientific but extensive opera- tions. In 1878 Mr. Graves married Martha E. Shelton, who was born in Yamhill county in 1854. She was the daughter of John W. Shelton, who crossed the plains in 1846, lo- cating on a claim near Carlton, Yamhill county, but who is now living in Sherman county, Ore. Mrs. Graves died on the farm near Bethel, July 7, 1881, the mother of one son, Herbert Garfield, who was a soldier in the Spanish-American war, serving through- out as a private in Company A, Second Ore- gon Volunteer Infantry, from McMinnville, and he now resides in California. In 1885 Mr. Graves married Mrs. Mary E. Wilcox, born in Polk county, June 21, 1861, and daughter of Jesse Newbill, who crossed the plains in the early days and located at Ballston. By her first marriage Mrs. Graves became the mother of two children, of whom Belle is the wife of E. E. Shields, of Perrydale, and Mat- tie is a teacher in the public schools of Balls- ton. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Graves, Edith, Cecil and Glenn.

Like his forefathers. Mr. Graves is a stanch supporter of Republicanism, and has held many positions of trust and responsibility in his neighborhood. From 1880 until 1882 he

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

served as assessor of Polk county and besides has officiated as justice of the peace, as school clerk for ten years, and as school director for nine years. Fraternally he is one of the most widely known men in the county, being asso- ciated with the Blue Lodge of Masons at Amity ; Ainsworth Chapter No. 17, R. A. M., at Dallas; the Woodmen of the World of the same place; the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; and the Rebekahs of McCoy, of which he has been secretary of the subordi- nates for twelve years. He is a broad-minded, well-informed and more than ordinarily pro- gressive man, in touch with general happen- ings beyond his immediate borders. All ef- forts at improvement of his locality receive his substantial support, and his opinion is sought on all important questions which arise from time to time.

NELS C. CHRISTENSON. No more ca- pable official ever occupied the position of mayor of Newberg than its present incumbent, Nels C. Christenson. Not only has he labored for the material progress of the city, but also for its moral advancement, and the impress of his in- dividuality upon the town has been one for good. He has established and controlled many im- portant and extensive successful business enter- prises in this locality and his labors have ever been effective, not only in securing his own pros- perity, but also in promoting commercial activity whercon rests the growth and upbuilding of . every community.

Mr. Christenson has been a resident of Oregon since 1874. His birth occurred August 19, 1860, in Waushara county, Wis. His father, Hans Christenson, was a native of Denmark, and in the '5os crossed the broad Atlantic to the United States, settling in Waushara county, Wis., where he purchased two hundred acres of land, con- tinuing its cultivation until 1867, when he sold that property and removed to Iowa, settling in Grundy county. There he purchased eighty acres of land, and in 1874 he resumed his westward journey, traveling until he had reached the Sun- set state. Here he took up his abode near Carl- ton, Yamhill county, where he remained for two years, and then located at Lafayette. About that time he purchased land four miles northwest of Newberg, although the town had not been estab- lished at that time. He became the owner of three hundred and twenty acres of improved land and for a number of years he was actively engaged in farming pursuits, his richly cultivated fields winning for him prosperity. At the present time he is living a retired life in Newberg and his rest is well merited. He married Stena An- derson, a native of Denmark, and with her hus-

band she came to the United States. Seven chil- dren were born of this union, of whom five are living, the subject of this review being the young- est son.

Nels C. Christenson is indebted to the public school system of Iowa and Oregon for the early educational privileges which he enjoyed, and for a short period he was a student in McMinnville College, after which he entered the Portland Busi- ness College, from which he was graduated May 3, 1887. Thus well equipped for the duties of a business career, he secured the position of a bookkeeper in the grain warehouse in Carlton, Ore., there remaining for two seasons. In 1889, in company with his brother, George Christen- son, he purchased the grain elevator in Newberg and later he became sole proprietor. With the exception of a period of two years he has been continuously connected with the warehouse in- terests of this place since he left school. He also owns a third interest in the Chehalem Valley Mills, which were erected in 1901, and are the best equipped mills in this portion of the county, being supplied with all modern accessories, in- cluding the latest improved machinery. The mills have a capacity of one hundred barrels of flour per day and the product is of such an excellent quality that it finds a ready sale upon the market.

In Newberg Mr. Christenson was united in marriage to Miss Josephine Larkin, a native of Minnesota. Her father, John S. Larkin, was born in Maine, and removing westward took up his abode in Wisconsin, whence he afterward went to Minnesota. Throughout his entire business career he carried on agricultural pursuits, but at the present time he is living retired at his pleas- ant home in Newberg. He owns an orchard a quarter of a mile northwest of this town and is the possessor of a comfortable competence, which was gained through his labors in former years. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Christenson has been blessed with two daughters and a son : Alice, Harold and Mildred. Mr. Christenson holds membership with the Woodmen of the World, the United Artisans and the Knights of the Maccabees, and he belongs to the regular Missionary Baptist Church, to the support of which he contributes liberally, and in its work he is active and influential. He is now serving as one of the deacons of the church and does everything in his power to promote its growth and insure its welfare. His political support is given to the Prohibition party and he has been honored with several local offices, having served as school clerk, trustee and as city treasurer for one term. In January, 1902, he was elected mayor of Newberg and no more capable officer could have been chosen for this office. There are no saloons in the town, and he has exercised his official prerogatives to suppress gambling, law-

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

lessness and vice of every character ; in fact, his administration has been so practical and beneficial that Newberg may well be regarded as an ideal town. In the field of political life and commer- cial and industrial activity, Mr. Christenson has won distinction and to-day is numbered among the leading, influential and honored citizens of Yamhill county. A young man, he possesses the enterprising spirit of the west, which has been a dominant factor in producing the wonderful development of this section of the country. Brooking no obstacles that honest effort could overcome, he has steadily worked his way up- ward, and having long since left the ranks of the many he to-day stands among the successful few.

GIDEON STOLZ. The manufacturing inter- ests of Salem are well represented by Gideon Stolz, who has risen to the enviable position of president of the Gideon Stolz Company of Salem. He was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, De- cember 9, 1844, being one of the ten children of Jacob and Mary Stolz. Both parents were na- tives of Germany, the father born in Wurtem- berg, near Stuttgart, in 1832. He came to Amer- ica and followed farming in Columbiana county, Ohio. He afterward secured government land in Scioto valley, residing thereon for a few years and subsequently he took up his abode in Mont- gomery county, Ohio, near Dayton, where his re- maining days were passed. He died at the age of eighty-six years and his wife died in Day- ton at the age of seventy-eight years. Both were members of the Lutheran Church. Of their family five sons and one daughter reached mature years. Dr. John Stolz, the eldest, was a surgeon of the Ninety-second Ohio Regiment during the Civil war and is now a practicing physician of Reading, Pa. Jacob, who was a member of the Ninety-third Ohio Infantry, was killed at the battle of Murfreesboro. David, who joined the Fifteenth United States Infantry for three years' service, was captured at the time of Rosecrans' retreat at Chickamauga and after eleven monthis' imprisonment in Andersonville died and was buried there. Gideon is the next of the family. William G. is now a retired dairyman of Day- ton, Ohio, and Mrs. Mary Kuhn is residing at Gallion, Ohio.

Reared in Dayton, Gideon Stolz pursued a common-school education and in May, 1864. when nineteen years of age, he volunteered for service in the Union army, becoming a member of Company B, One Hundred and Thirty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was mustered in at Columbus, Ohio, stationed at Baltimore, and was honorably discharged in the following Sep- tember. In October of the same year he re- enlisted in the quartermaster's department and

did duty principally in the vicinity of Memphis, Tenn., until after the cessation of hostilities, when he was mustered out in 1865 and returned to luis home.

For a few years following his military ser- vice Mr. Stolz was engaged in the dairy busi- ness at Dayton and in 1873 he disposed of his business interests in Ohio in order to come to the northwest, establishing his home in Salem. His capital was limited to $100 at that time, and, looking about for a business opportunity that would yield him a good living, he turned his attention to gardening, conducting the old Dick- enson Seed Garden under contract for six years. In 1879 he began dealing in cider and vinegar at the corner of Trade and Cottage streets and within a short period he built up a good business there. In 1886 he incorporated the business under the name of the Pacific Vinegar & Pickle Company and became the president. The enter- prise was conducted in Salem until 1891, when, on account of the majority of the stockholders being residents of Portland, the plant was re- moved to East Portland. Mr. Stolz, however, continued to reside in Salem and in 1894 sold his interest in the Portland business and lived re- tired here until after the inauguration of Presi- dent Mckinley, when he recognized the change in times, believing that a period of prosperity was dawning upon the country. Accordingly, in the spring of 1897, he began the business of manu- facturing cider and cider vinegar and extended the enterprise until it reached a very important industry in the city.

In February, 1903, Mr. Stolz perfected a plan whereby his business was incorporated under the laws of Oregon, as The Gideon Stolz Company. Realizing that the most successful business enter- prises of to-day are managed by young men, with possibly a few older men, having had years of experience, at the helm, Mr. Stolz gathered around him, in perfecting the corporation, a corps of young men who had long served him in vari- ous capacities, such as John B. Hileman, who is vice-president and general manager of the fac- tory; W. T. Stolz, his son, who is secretary; C. D. and E. W. Purvine, both of whom are young men of excellent qualities, constituting the balance of the stockholders.

The new company starts with a well-equipped factory, modern machinery appliances, and a ca- pacity of double their former output, and we feel safe in predicting that, as the years roll on, this company will rank among the foremost of its kind in the northwest. The firm does a large bot- tling business, bottling mineral water, root beer and all kinds of soda, and also manufacture and prepare for the market cider, cider vinegar, fruit butter, jellies and pickles of all kinds. The bitsi- ness is profitable in all the departments and the

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

trade is gradually growing. They now manufac- ture over $50.000 worth of cider vinegar each year, and in 1902 utilized more than five hundred tons of apples. They also used the product of fifteen acres of land for pickles and seventy-five tons of cabbage were manufactured into kraut. The enterprise is the second in point of import- ance in the manufacture of raw materials in Sa- Jem. The company contracts for all its raw material locally and this furnishes an excellent market to the producer in this section. For the soda he has a local trade, but for other outputs of the plant there is a large foreign demand, his goods being shipped all over the coast and to Alaska. They employ a number of men and women throughout the year at the Salem plant, which is located at the corner of Mill and Sum- mer streets, the factory and warehouse covering a quarter of a block. The building is supplied with steam power and modern machinery of im- proved workmanship, while system, neatness and cleanliness are marked characteristics of the en- tire establishment.

Mr. Stolz was married in Dayton, Ohio, in 1868, to Miss Margaret Whittinger, who was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, and they have two children : Walter T., a wholesale and retail con- fectioner of Salem; and Lenta D., the widow of W. G. Westacott. Mrs. Westacott conducts a res- taurant in Salem. Mr. Stolz is a valued and pop- ular member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, in which he has held office ; the Wood- men of the World ; and the Knights of the Mac- cabces. In his political views, especially on state and national questions, he gives an earnest and unfaltering support to the Republican party. In December, 1901, he was the nominee on both the Republican and Citizens' tickets for the office of councilman from the Third ward and was elected by a very large and flattering majority. He is now serving as a member and chairman of the committee on health and police and is a mem- ber of the accounts and current expense com- mittee and the fire and water committee. He belongs to the Greater Salem Commercial Club and is one of the leaders of the Civic Improve- ment Society, having for its object the improve- ment of Salem in its municipal affairs and its substantial upbuilding. Mr. Stolz is a very pleasant man, always approachable and willing to accord to any the courtesy of an interview. In manner he is kindly and genial and in all life's relations he commands the respect and re- gard of those with whom he has been associated. In his treatment of his employes he has always been fair and just and in trade circles the house of which he is the head sustains an unimpeach- able reputation,

HERMAN POHLE, one of the influential and representative citizens of Salem now serving as a member of the city council, was born in Germany near Bende, October 29, 1849. His father, Henry Pohle, was a farmer of that coun- try and married a Miss Kemper, by whom he had five children, the subject of this review being the second in order of birth. Four of the number are still living, and three are residents of Amer- ica, while the other is living at the old home in Germany.

Herman Pohle was reared in the Fatherland and continued his education there until twelve years of age, when he was apprenticed to learn the blacksmith's trade near the old home, serv- ing for a term of two years. He then came to America in company with his cousin, Kemper Pohle, who had previously been to the new world and had returned to Germany on a visit. Mr. Pohle arrived in the United States in 1865 and took up his abode in Aurora, Ind., where he was employed at blacksmithing. Subsequently he engaged in conducting a blacksmith and carriage shop on his own account near that place, and later, thinking that the rapidly growing west would furnish him a better field of labor, he came to Oregon in 1879 and has since been a resident of Salem. He worked at his trade until 1882 and then established a carriage business of his own on Commerce street. Subsequently he removed to the corner of State and Front streets. and in 1901 he purchased a lot at the corner of Liberty and Ferry streets and built for himself a fine shop 48x82 feet, and three stories in height together with a basement. This entire build- ing is utilized by Mr. Pohle in his business. The basement and the first floor are used for the manufacture of carriages and for the black- smithing business and the upper floors consti- tute the painting departments. He carries the Moline and Bain wagons and carriages, and has built up a growing business, which has long since reached profitable proportions.

In Indiana occurred the marriage of Mr. Pohle and Miss Mary E. Tekeneier, a native of that state, and their union has been blessed with six children, namely : Ella, wife of William Mc- Gowan, of Portland, who is assistant cashier in the Wells-Fargo Bank; Mrs. Grace Atwood, of Salem; Warren, who is in the railway mail service; and Alma, Edna and Frances, who are at home. The parents hold membership with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mr. Pohle is a member of the board of trustees. His po- litical support is given to the Republican party and he is unfaltering in his adherence to its principles, for he believes that in their adoption lies the safety and perpetuation of the American government. In 1901 he was nominated on the Citizens' ticket for councilman of the second

John me brow

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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ward and was elected to the position. He is now serving in the committee on streets and public property, on ways and means and is chairman of the license committee. Socially he is identi- fied with the Ancient Order of the United Work- men and the Knights of the Maccabees. Mr. Polile is a man of much influence and prominence here and in matters relating to the city's welfare he has proved himself practical and helpful. During the years of his residence in America he has never had occasion to regret his determina- tion to come to the new world, for he has found here the business opportunities he sought and has also established a good home and gained many warm friends.

JOHN McCROW. To the inheritance of sturdy qualities, coupled with patient deter- mination and energy, John McCrow owes the success which has crowned his efforts since coming to Oregon, December 17, 1873. His parents were both natives of Scotland, the father, Hugh, and the mother, Margaret (Richardson) McCrow, being born near Edinburgh. The father was a man of energy and ability and chose to leave his native land for the sake of the broad opportunities of the western world. He emigrated to America when about thirty years old, settling in Can- ada, where he engaged in farming until his death in 1881. His wife died in the Canadian home in 1884. Of the children born of this union, William is located in Canada; John is the subject of this review; Eliza, the wife `of James Richardson, and Mary are residents of Oxford county, Canada.

John McGrow was born in Oxford county, Canada, August 2, 1842, remaining on his father's farm until twenty-three years of age. He received a limited education in the old log schoolhouse in the vicinity of his home until he was fourteen years of age, at which time he began work on his father's farm. On reaching his majority he began farming for himself on rented land. In 1866 he was united in marriage with Catherine Ferguson, a native of Oxford county, Canada, and they continued to reside on their farm until 1873, when they removed to the United States, settling in the Waldo Hills, in Marion county, Ore. Here he purchased a farm of three hundred and forty-five acres and entered upon its cultiva- tion, where he remained until 1898. In the meantime, in 1887, he entered into the butcher- ing business in Salem, conducting this en- terprise in conjunction with his farm until 1898, when he traded his farm in the Waldo Hills for stock in the Capital National Bank of Salem. In that year also he disposed of

the butcher business in Salem and moved to his farm one and a half miles southwest of McCoy, which he had previously purchased in 1896. Here he owns a farm of three hun- dred and forty acres all in cultivation and is engaged extensively in general farming and stock-raising.

Mr. McCrow has erected one of the finest residences in this section of the county, situ- ated on a hill near the center of his farm, com- manding an excellent view of his entire pos- sessions and the country for miles around.

Mrs. Catherine McCrow died in Marion county in 1878, leaving four children: Hugh, who died one month later at the age of twelve years; Christina; Robert, a butcher in Gold- endale, Wash., who married Delia B. Hasey, by whom he has one child, Hughretta N .; and Margaret, the wife of Joseph Fischer of Stay- ton, and they have one son, John Norval. In 1880 Mr. McCrow married for his sec- ond wife, Mrs. Jane (Law) Anderson, daugh- ter of James Law, of Scotland. Mrs. Mc- Crow has one daughter by her first marriage, Violet A. A. by name, and of the second three children were born, Hughretta 1., Garnet E., and Clarence A.

Mr. McCrow is a member of the Presby -. terian Church of McCoy and politically he votes with the Republican party. He has always heen a stanch advocate of those measures calcu- lated to advance the material interests of the community in which he has long been a resident, and is known by his fellow-men as a broad- gauged, liberal man of affairs and his life has been an exemplification of the Golden Rule.

JOHN F. COOK, M. D., a botanical special- ist who has been most successful in the work of alleviating human suffering, is now practicing in Salem, where he has resided for six years. He was born in Frankfort-on-the-Main, Ger- many. December 5. 1843, a son of Jolin Koch, who was also a native of that locality. In 1854 he brought his family to America, settling at Williamsburg, since included within the cor- porate limits of New York City. He was a fresco painter and gardener. In 1865 he removed to Minnesota, settling in Dakota county, where he carried on agricultural pursuits until his death. He held membership in the Baptist Church and was a man of marked strength of character. He married Catherine Bonschier, who was born in Frankfort, Germany, but was of French descent. and they became the parents of five children, of whom two are now living. The doctor, who is the youngest of the family, was eleven years of age when his parents crossed the Atlantic to the New World, sailing on the Robert Caley from

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Havre and reaching New York after a voyage of thirty-six days. He attended the public schools of Williamsburg until twenty-one years of age, and while in that city he also learned the business of manufacturing musical instruments. In 1865 he went with the family to Dakota county, Minn., where he further continued his education in an academy. Several members of the Cook family had been physicians, and the doctor became inter- ested in the subject of medical science and deter- mined to prepare for the practice of the profes- sion. He accordingly began studying under a physician of Dakota county, and later continued his reading in St. Croix county, Wis., under the direction of Dr. Gilliman.

Dr. Cook began the practice of medicine in Pierce county, Wis., as early as 1875, and, in 1896, was graduated in the Chicago Independent Medical College and Health University with the degree of M. D. He practiced in Wisconsin until 1887, when he removed to Omaha, Neb., where he continued in practice for ten years, meeting with splendid success. In fact his practice be- came so extensive that it made too heavy demands upon his strength, and he came to Salem, hoping that a change of climate would enable him rapidly to recuperate. Here he opened his office, and during the six years of his residence here he has gained a very extensive patronage. The doctor has a broad knowledge of medical principles, but has always made a specialty of botanical practice and does not believe in the use of the knife. As a specialist in the treatment of chronic diseases he has been remarkably successful and particularly so in the treatment of cancer. His office is located at No. 301 Liberty street and many come to him there not only from Salem, but from other parts of the country, demanding his services in the cure of long standing diseases. That the doctor has accomplished many remark- able cures is indicated by the large number of tes- timonials which have come to him unsolicited from grateful patients who feel that they owe to him health and life.

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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 76

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