Portrait and biographical record of western Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present.., Part 121

Author: Chapman Publishing Company, Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1904
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman publishing company
Number of Pages: 1064

USA > Oregon > Portrait and biographical record of western Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present.. > Part 121

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).

Dr. Estes was born April 28, 1854, his early boyhood days being spent in St. Joseph, Mo. In 1862 the family fled to Illinois, and in 1863 lo- cated in Iowa, and his early mental training was obtained in the schools of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, as a student in Professor Howe's college. In 1869 he went to Sidney, of the same state, and contin- ued his studies for several years. After com- pleting his studies he returned to St. Joseph, and, having decided upon a medical career, he read medicine with Dr. W. I. Heddens. In 1879 he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons, at the same place, and graduated from that excel- lent institution in 1882, with a degree of M. D. Now fully equipped, he opened an office in St. Joseph, but subsequently found a better opening at Wood River, Idaho, where he met with flatter- ing success. While there, he was elected coroner of Alturas county, now a part of Blaine county, a position which he filled with credit. In 1885 Dr. Estes located in Astoria, Ore., succeeding at that time to the practice of Dr. Wilson Lock- hart, and has since been engaged as a general practitioner, also making a specialty of surgery and diseases of women.

While still a resident of St. Joseph, Mo., Dr. Estes was united in marriage with Alice H. Hut- ton, a native of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. They have four children, Pearl, Lulu, Frank and Hazel. The three eldest are college students. The doc- tor is a strict adherent to the principles of the Democratic party, and is a valued member of a number of fraternal orders. He is past officer

MRS. J. H. D. GRAY. The lady whose name heads this review is an esteemed resident of Astoria, Ore., and is the widow of the late Judge J. H. D. Gray, pioneer resident, former mem- ber of the state senate and ex-judge of Clatsop county, who died at his home, corner of Grand avenue and Seventeenth street, at 3:30 Sunday afternoon, October 26, 1902.

John Henry Dix Gray was the second male white child horn west of the Rockies. His birth occurred at Lapwia, Idaho, March 20, 1839; Ida- ho, in those days, being part of Oregon. His father, W. H. Gray, had come to Oregon in 1836 with Dr. Whitman as assistant missionary. Further ancestry of the Gray family is given in the sketch of Mrs. Caroline Kamm, in another part of this history. In 1846 the family removed to Clatsop plains, where Judge Gray spent his boyhood. In 1858 he began steamboating on the Fraser river, and followed that life continu- ously for many years. He was captain of a steamboat at the time of the Fraser river excite- ment ; he and his father were running a boat on the river which was blown up. Fortunately, he escaped with but slight injuries, having his face powder-burned. He afterward went to The Dalies on the Upper Columbia, and was em- ployed by the old Oregon Steam Navigation Company, as captain of their boats. He was greatly interested in the building of the "General Miles," which was used as a tug on the Columbia

852

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

river, and he also took an active part in the de- velopment of Gray's Harbor. When the "Queen of the Pacific" was stranded at the mouth of the Columbia river, Judge Gray went there and by a great effort secured its release, for which he received $5,000. In 1861 he enlisted in the Washington Guards, expecting to be sent to the front during the Civil war, but the company was disbanded the next year, as the government deemed it inadvisable to call upon Pacific coast troops. Judge Gray remained in the employ of the Oregon Steam Navigation Company until 1868, when he took up his residence in Astoria, and for a time conducted a line of steamers on the Columbia river. He was responsible for the loading of the first full grain cargo at Astoria, and was prominent among those who demanded recognition of Astoria as a seaport. He after- ward abandoned river life, and engaged in gen- eral merchandising. Judge Gray's first political experience came in 1886, when he was the Re- publican candidate for joint senator from Clat- sop, Columbia, and Tillamook counties, then composing one district. He was elected, and during his term he succeeded in securing for Clatsop the representation since afforded for this county-one senator and two representatives. In 1888 President Harrison appointed him post- master, but he declined the appointment, as he was a candidate for the collectorship. In 1894 he was elected judge of Clatsop county, and was re-elected to the same responsible office in 1898. During his administration of the affairs of the county he devoted special attention to the roads of the county, and his work in that line is per- haps the most noteworthy of his long and useful career. In May, 1902, during the height of the political campaign, when he was a candidate for re-election as county judge, he was taken ill, and although a stay of several weeks at Windriver Springs seemed to help him, a complication of diseases set in-the result of an attack of la grippe-and his death took place as before men- tioned. The news of his death came as a sad surprise to the people of the entire community and state, as it was not generally known that he was dangerously ill. The funeral took place under the auspices of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and Pioneer Association, of both of which he was a member. The services were held at Grace church, with Rev. W. S. Short officiating, and immediately after the serv- ices the funeral cortege left on a steamer for Greenwood, where the body was laid to rest.

Judge Gray was a man of splendid physical proportions. He was five feet, eleven inches tall and weighed about one hundred and ninety pounds. He had always been identified with the interests of his city and had his plans carried, Astoria would be today a much more prosperous

city. He was the soul of honor, striving at all times to do what was right and just, and was in- defatigable in his efforts for the good of his city and county. He was a member of the Presby- terian Church. October 22, 1862, Judge Gray was united in marriage with Laura W. Bell, a native of Weston, Mo., and a daughter of John C. and Sarah (Ward) Bell. Both parents are Kentuckians by birth and are still living. They settled in Weston, Mo., where Mr. Bell was en- gaged in mercantile life and was prominent as a stockman. In 1852 he crossed the plains to Ore- gon, returning two years later for his family, which then consisted of his wife and two small children. He settled in Salem and conducted a dry goods establishment there very successfully for a number of years, removing afterward to Astoria. He was appointed postmaster of As- toria during Cleveland's first term, and subse- quently retired from active business life, and is now spending his declining years in Portland. He took an active part against the Indians in the Rogue river invasion, and at one time was can- didate for secretary of state against E. N. Cooke, but the Democratic ticket was defeated, and he with it. Five daughters and two sons were born to him and his wife. One daughter is deceased .. The others are William T., a merchant of En- terprise, Ore .; Robert Edward, a resident of Ta- coma, Wash .; Mrs. S. Z. Mitchell, of the same city ; Mrs. R. E. Davis, of Portland; Mrs. C. M. Maxwell, of Seattle; and Mrs. Gray. Mrs. Gray's maternal grandfather was Gen. Thomp- son Ward, a veteran of the war of 1812.

To Judge and Mrs. Gray were born eight chil- dren, as follows: Mrs. Augusta Fox, Harry D., William J., Charles E., Mary Alice, Sarah, Lou- ise and Mrs. R. C. Wright. The latter died at her home in Portland, in May, 1903. The fam- ily attend divine services at the Episcopal Church, and are among the most influential and prominent members of their community.

DR. FREDERICK W. HAYNES. Prom- inent among the native-born sons of Rose- burg is Dr. F. W. Haynes, the leading dentist of the city of his birth, and a young man of ability and worth. In the Spanish-American war he served as an officer, and is distinguished alike for his own life record and for the illustri- ous ancestry from which he is descended, being a grandson of Capt. Nathaniel Lane, a pioneer boatman on the Willamette, and the great grand- son of Gen. Joseph Lane, the first territorial governor of Oregon. Coming on the paternal side of English ancestors, he was born October 22, 1871, a son of George Haynes. His grand- father, John Haynes, emigrated from England to America with his family, settling first in Bos-

853

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

ton, Mass. Subsequently he started west in search for greater opportunities and was killed by the Indians.

Born in London, England, George Haynes came with his father to the United States, and when a lad of fifteen years began his career as a seaman. Rounding Cape Horn in 1849, he went to California prospecting, and the follow- ing year came to Oregon, locating first in Scotts- burg. Embarking in mercantile pursuits, he was first established in Scottsburg, then in Win- chester, subsequently becoming a pioneer mer- chant of Roseburg, where he carried on an ex- tensive and lucrative business for many years. Acquiring a competency through his industry and good management, he retired from business in 1880, and thenceforward enjoyed a deserved leisure until his death, in 1892. Honest, straight- forward and capable, he became influential in public matters, being councilman several terms, and serving as mayor of Roseburg. He was a man of deep religious convictions, and a member of the Episcopal church. His wife, whose maiden name was Carrie Lane, was born in Indiana, and is now a resident of New York city. She is a daughter of the late Capt. Nathaniel Lane, for many years captain of a steamboat on the Willamette river and later a general merchant in Oregon City. His death occurred in East Portland, Ore. His father, Gen. Joseph Lane, was one of the most prominent of the early pio- neers of Oregon. Mr. and Mrs. George Haynes reared four children, namely: George, living in Portland, Ore .; Mrs. Charles T. Curry, of New York city; F. W., the special subject of this sketch ; and Vera, of New York city.

Brought up in Roseburg, F. W. Haynes ob- tained his early education in the public schools of this city and in San Jose, Cal. He was sub- sequently a clerk in a drug store at Portland, Ore., for four years, and was a registered pharmacist. In 1892 he began the study of den- tistry with Dr. Frye, and the following year studied at the Pennsylvania College of Dental Surgery in Philadelphia. In 1894 he entered the dental department of the Southern Medical College at Atlanta, Ga., the next year returning to Roseburg, where he has since been located. His long-continued studies and his wide experi- ence have given him unusual professional skill and knowledge, placing him in the front- ranks among the dentists of Douglas county, and as he is in the prime of vigorous, active manhood, it is to be trusted that he has many more years of honor and usefulness in his chosen profession. From 1889 until 1891 Dr. Haynes was a mem- ber of Company I, First Regiment, Oregon Na- tional Guard. On September 5, 1895, he entered Company A, Second Regiment, Oregon National Guard, as a private, and on October 25, 1895,

was commissioned by Governor Lord as second lieutenant of his company, a position in which he served until the Spanish-American war. On May 2, 1898, by Governor Lord, he was commissioned second lieutenant of Company C, Second Oregon United States Volunteer In- fantry, and went with his regiment to the Phil- ippine Island, where he was stationed for more than a year. Returning with his comrades to California, he was mustered out of service at San Francisco in August, 1899, and immediately returned to Roseburg, and resumed his profes- sional work. That, however, did not end his military career, as on March 22, 1900, he was commissioned first lieutenant of Company E, Fourth Regiment Oregon National Guard.

At Roseburg, in 1897. Dr. Haynes married Ida Ridgeway, who was born in Polk county, Ore., of pioneer parents, and they have one child, Fredericka. The doctor is a member of the State Dental Association and of the Gen. Joseph Lane Cabin, Native Sons. He is a Republican in his political affiliations, and has served his city as councilman for one term, representing the Second ward. He is interested in two fraternal organizations, belonging to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and Laurel Lodge No. 13, A. F. & A. M.

HON. ISAAC BERGMAN. Prominent among the honored, esteemed and progressive citizens of Astoria is Hon. Isaac Bergman, who occupies a place of note and distinction among the leading men of the city. In the broad field of public affairs he has ever been watchful and zealous, and has rendered efficient service to the city in many official capacities. His position in regard to matters of importance is always firm, his approval of what he deems just and right is generously given, and his condemnation of wrong or injustice is always equally emphatic. Mr. Bergman was born January 10, 1832, in Bavaria, Germany, which was likewise the birthplace of his parents. Nathan and Hannah ( Heldmann) Bergman, both of whom belonged to old and honored families. His father, who was a sitc- cessful merchant, died in the fatherland ere he had reached the age of three score years. His wife survived him, dying at the advanced age of eighty-nine years. Six sons and one daughter were born of their union ; and of these five sons are living. Three sons are on the Pacific coast, namely : Joseph, living in Portland, Ore .; Abra- ham, a resident of San Francisco, Cal .; and Isaac, the special subject of this sketch.

Brought up in the fatherland, Isaac Bergman attended the public schools until fourteen years of age. He subsequently served an apprentice- ship of three years at the butcher's trade in

854

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

Schweinfurt, after which he worked as a journey- man in different German and Austrian provinces. Boarding the sailing vessel Columbia at Ham- burg in 1853, he arrived in New York city after a voyage of forty-two days. He was there em- ployed at his trade about four years, when, in 1857, he journeyed by way of Panama to San Francisco, where he remained a few months. Coming to Oregon in the fall of 1857, Mr. Berg- man secured employment as a butcher, working for Captain Aukney four months. Removing then to the Willamette valley, he purchased land, and embarked in business as a stock-raiser and dealer. In connection with this industry, he es- tablished himself as a butcher, his meat market being the first one opened between Yamhill and Morrison. In 1867 Mr. Bergman, with charac- teristic enterprise, went to Alaska in search of business opportunities, going by boat to Sitka, where he remained four years as a butcher, most of the time being engaged in filling government contracts. Returning to Oregon, Mr. Bergman was in business in Portland a year. In 1872 he took up his residence in Astoria. Opening a meat market on the corner of Bond and Main streets, he carried on a successful business until 1900, having a large and lucrative trade. During the time he bought and improved land, and was extensively engaged in stock-raising, having a ranch of three hundred and sixty acres in Wah- kiakum county, Wash. As a farmer he devoted his attention to dairying, and bought and fed much stock, carrying on a large business. Since coming to Astoria, Mr. Bergman has evinced a warm interest in the public affairs of his adopted city, and has been actively identified with all projects for promoting the higher interests of the municipality, his wise counsel and liberal gener- osity helping forward many a scheme for its im- provement and advancement. For sixteen years he was a member of the city council, three terms serving as president of the board. For two terms of two years each he gave faithful and able sery- ice as treasurer of Clatsop county, serving in the 'Sos. For two terms, from January, 1898, until January, 1902, he was mayor of Astoria, filling the position with credit to himself, and to the honor of his constituents. That he was cognizant of the responsibilities resting upon him as head of the city government, his first inaugural mes- sage proved, and many of its epigrammatic re- marks are worthy of quotation, namely: "He who does not gracefully submit to the people's will is a dangerous citizen, and tinfit to hold pub- lic office :" "Let tis, therefore, lay aside all per- sonal and political bias, and work on a broad. non-partisan basis, treating every citizen of what- ever party, creed or occupation, with exact jus- tice, and equal fairness and courtesy :" "A low levy is no indication of economy when our in-

debtedness increases ;" "All parts of the city ma- chinery must work in harmony, otherwise there is friction, and the taxpayer is the greatest suf- ferer thereby." In conclusion he said: "Let us be true to ourselves and true to the people, and as certain as the bright dawn follows starless nights, just so certain will we find our conscience easy at the contemplation of duty well per- formed."

On December 7, 1862, in Portland, Ore., Mr. Bergman married Ida Hyman, who was born in Bamberg, Bavaria, a daughter of Sigmund and Yetta (Wasserman) Hyman, life-long residents of Bamberg. Her father was a man of education and culture, and was for many years a teacher of languages, and a prominent officer in the syna- gogue. Mrs. Bergman, the only living child in a family of three children, two girls and one boy, came to this country as a girl of seventeen years. Arriving in New York she proceeded by way of Panama to San Francisco, from there coming to Portland, where her sister was then living, in 1860. In 1892 Mr. and Mrs. Bergman returned to the fatherland to see their old home and friends, and during the six months they were abroad traveled on the continent and in England. On their return trip, in 1893, they spent some time at the World's Fair, in Chicago, Ill. Fra- ternally Mr. Bergman is a member of the Benev- olent and Protective Order of Elks; of the Knights of Pythias; and of the Eagles. Polit- ically he is one of the leading Democrats of the city and county, and is an ex-member and ex- chairman of the Democratic county committee, and an ex-member of the state central committee. He is also a member of the Chamber of Com- merce, the Commercial Club and the Irving Club. Religiously he belongs to Temple Synagogue, in Portland. Mrs. Bergman is a member of the Woman's Relief Corps, and of the Astoria Women's Club.

CASS MAZZENY HERMANN. Descended from a long line of Teutonic ancestry and the son of one of Oregon's courageous pioneers, Cass M. Hermann was born at Grantsville, Gar- rett county, Md., January 28, 1851, and has made lis liome in Coos county since he was a boy of eight years. His father, Dr. Henry Hermann, was of Hessian birth and received a thorough medical training in one of Germany's most famous universities. By reason of his connection witli the Revolution of 1830 it became necessary for him to exile himself from Germany and accord- ingly he sought a new home in America, settling in Baltimore, Md., in 1831. During the years that followed he built up an extensive practice in that city and vicinity. During 1859 he sought the newer state of Oregon, where, in the years

855

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

that remained to him of life, he gained a reputa- tion for professional skill, a high sense of honor and genial courtesy to all. When he died, De- cember 16, 1869, his son, Cass M., was eighteen years of age. The family consisted of nine sons and three daughters, one of whom, Binger Her- mann, is the representative of his district in the United States congress. Another is Ernest William, in whose sketch on another page further mention is made of the family history; also of the mother's father, David Hopkins, who was the first successful iron worker in the United States.

Among the children who attained mature years Cass M. was fourth in order of birth. He remained at home until he was twenty-four years of age, when he embarked in the butcher- ing business at Centerville near Marshfield, as a partner of H. P. Whitney. This was the first meat market established in Coos county. Dur- ing 1876 he spent a short time in the eastern part of the state, but soon returned to Center- ville and resumed butchering. In 1878 he pur- chased a stock ranch fifteen miles above Myrtle Point on the south fork of the Coquille river and comprising one thousand acres. For twenty- two years he conducted stock-raising pursuits on that place, but finally sold the property and retired from the business on account of ill health. Myrtle Point became his home in 1900, when he bought forty-four acres adjoining the town and here he has since been extensively engaged in raising berries of all kinds and also conducts a ranch and dairy industry.

The marriage of Mr. Hermann was solem- nized near Myrtle Point and united him with Mary C. Adams, who was born near Eugene, Ore., July 15, 1856. Her father, George W. Adams, a Kentuckian and for some years a farmer near Vernon, Ind., crossed the plains in 1847 and settled in the Willamette valley near Eugene, Ore. When he arrived in his new home the Whitman massacre had only recently oc- curred and he was one of the men who investi- gated the causes leading thereto. During the Indian war of 1857-58 he formed a volunteer company that did service in quelling the sav- ages. His removal to Coos county occurred in 1867, when he settled on the creek seven miles southwest of Myrtle Point, continuing there for a number of years. However, since 1880 he has made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Hermann. The latter's family consisted of three sons and six daughters, of whom Custer M. died at eighteen years of age and Cassie is also deceased. Those now living are Bertha, wife of W. C. Dement, who resides near the home place; Neta May, Harry, Clara T., Lora Lois, Anna Alma and William Cass.'

While making his home on his large stock

ranch Mr. Hermann was appointed postmaster at Custer, being the appointee under the Repub- lican administration. He himself is a stanch Republican, loyal to party tenets. At one time he served as road supervisor and for many terms held the office of clerk of the board of school directors. In July of 1903 he was ap- pointed a member of the board of road reviewers for Coos county. The various positions to which he has been called have been filled with fidelity, intelligence and tact, and he has proven himself to be a thorough-going official, yet his tastes in- cline him more toward private business affairs than to public office. Both he and his wife are identified with the Methodist Episcopal church and contributors to its work., in addition to which he has served the congregation in an official capacity.

COE G. DURLAND. This gentleman is an old resident of Oregon, having been closely identified with the general advancement of Douglas county for many years past as an ag- riculturist. He is engaged in general farm- ing and the raising of stock on his two hun- dred and twenty acre ranch, seven miles south- west of Oakland postoffice, on the old military road.

Coe G. Durland was born November 26, 1834, near Goshen, Orange county, N. Y., and when eight years of age was taken to Luzerne county, Pa., where his boyhood days were spent on the farm and his mental faculties de- veloped in the public schools. He remained with the family thus until twenty-five years old, when he took to farming near the home place, married and lived in that section until his coming to Nevada in 1864. In 1865 lie left Nevada and became a citizen of Callapooia valley. Douglas county, Ore. There he took up a homestead and prospered until 1870. He then left the claim and went north with a flock of sheep, but unfortunately lost most of them in the one year he was away. Since his return he has bought and sold stock, which brings him handsome profits, in addition to his regu- lar farm work.

Mr. Durland was joined in marriage with Mary Sharps, in October, 1859, and they had two children, Margaret, now in South Dakota ; and Sharp, who lives near Oakland. Some time after this marriage, Mrs. Durland died, and after a time, Mr. Durland married again. On October 13, 1873, he was married to Mrs. Margaret (Bellis) McGee, widow of Abraham E. McGee. She was born in Kentucky in 1818 and was a resident of Oregon from 1852 until 1890, when her death took place on August 26. Her father was numbered among the in-

856

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

fluential men of his time, and Mrs. Durland herself was well known and liked. She was greatly interested in the cause of education, and in her will directed that eight hundred acres should be given to Mr. Durland for use until his death, when it should become the property of Douglas county, to go toward the school funds. Besides this land and his pres- ent home place, Mr. Durland also owns con- siderable real estate in different parts of Doug- las county. All are kept in first-class order and are improved to the greatest extent pos- sible.

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 western Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present.., Part 121

Author: Chapman Publishing Company, Chicago, pub Publication date: 1904 Publisher: Chicago, Chapman publishing company Number of Pages: 1064

Author: Chapman Publishing Company, Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1904
Publisher: Chicago, Chapman publishing company
Number of Pages: 1064