Portrait and biographical record of western Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present.., Part 129

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 129

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JOHN G. NURNBERG. Many of the most thrifty and successful agriculturists of Clatsop county were born on the further side of the Atlantic, to Germany especially the county and state being indebted for some of her most enterprising and respected citizens. Promi- nent among this number is John G. Nurnberg, living about three miles south of Astoria, where he has a valuable farm, on which he has made all the improvements of note, having erected a good residence, a substantial barn, and all the necessary outbuildings for carrying on general farming and dairying. He was born September 14, 1834, in the county of Alten- berg, Saxony, Germany, which was also the birthplace and life-long residence of his par- ents, Henry and Anne (Seisel) Nurnberg. Mr. Nurnberg has a step-sister living in Astoria, Mrs. Frederick Bartaldus.

Having completed the course of study in the common schools of his native land, John G. Nurnberg began to learn the carpenter's trade, but before finishing his apprenticeship left home and country. In February, 1852, he emi- grated to America, coming as a stranger to an entirely new country, where he had neither friends nor relatives, and knew naught of the language. Locating in New London county, Conn., he worked in that vicinity as a farm laborer for twelve years. Eager then to try his luck on the western frontier, he came by way of the Istlimus to Oregon, arriving in As- toria in the winter of 1864. Going to West- port, Clatsop county, the following spring, he was employed in a saw-mill for six years. De- sirous then of investing the money that he had

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accumulated by means of prudent thrift and economy, Mr. Nurnberg bought his present ranch, lying three miles south of Astoria, on Youngs river, where he now owns two hun- dred acres of rich and well improved land. He has labored judiciously since coming here, having now seventy-five acres in a good state of cultivation, and a fine dairy of twenty-five cows. Devoting his attention to general farm- ing and dairying, he has been unusually suc- cessful in his operations, and is now living somewhat retired from active pursuits, leaving the management of his fine farm to his sons.

In 1858, in Connecticut, Mr. Nurnberg mar- ried Wilhelmina Fisher, who was born in Ger- many, in 1838, and of their union four children have been born, namely: Henry, living at home; Augusta, at home; Louis, in Alaska ; and Adolplı, at home. In politics Mr. Nurn- berg uniformly supports the principles of the Republican party, and is active in the adminis- tration of public affairs. In 1886 he was elected county commissioner, and in 1888 was re-elected for the long term, but resigned in 1891, before the expiration of his term of office.

HENRY CLAY HARRISON. As

a worthy descendant of an old and prominent family of Oregon, Mr. Harrison comes from a family which has long been noted for natu- ral mechanical talent. His father, John Har- rison, an Ohioan by birth, was a man who displayed unusual mechanical skill, and the greater part of his useful life was spent in de- veloping the lumber industry in Oregon. He crossed overland to that section in the early days of the history of that country, and in 1846 took up a donation claim of six hundred and forty acres in Washington county. Here for years he was engaged in clearing and im- proving a farm, and upon it he reared his fam- ily. At the time of the gold excitement near Lewiston, Idaho, he established a packers' station at Lewiston, which he conducted three or four years. His saw and grist-mill was the only one of the kind in Washington county at the time of its erection. This he rented when in Idaho, together with his farm. He died in Washington county, which was the scene of so many years of successful labor, and at the time of his demise was seventy-six years old. He was married twice, both marriages taking place in Ohio, and three children were the re- sult of the first marriage, only one being now living. By his second marriage he was united with Mary Smith, a native of Ohio, and of this union six children were born. All are still liv- ing, Henry Clay being the youngest of the family.

Henry Clay Harrison had exceptional edu- cational advantages and improved his oppor- tunities to the utmost. Completing the course in the public schools of Washington county, his native place, he then became a student in the Tualatin Academy, and the instruction there received was supplemented by a more extensive course in the Pacific University at Forest Grove. In 1876 he came to Astoria, but two years later entered Pacific University, where he took a three years' course. Shortly afterward he became interested in the reclaim- ing of the lands, and dyked a large portion of the Flavel country in and about Warrenton, giving the greater part of his time to this project for the next five or six years. Pur- chasing a ranch in that section, he improved it extensively and sold out at a considerable profit during the boom. Although consid- erably interested in the timber tracts and log- ging camps all this time, Mr. Harrison opened a machine-shop at Warrenton and carried on a successful business there until he was in- duced to move the works to Astoria, and, con- solidating with Mr. Bremner, together they formed the Pacific Iron Works of that city, which was incorporated in 1900, with Mr. Har- rison as president and treasurer. This plant enjoys a patronage second to none of its kind in the city and furnishes employment to from eight to ten men. It is run by electricity and is fitted with modern machinery. Although the business carried on by this firm demands the greater part of Mr. Harrison's attention, he retains his interest in the Warrenton Lumber Company and recently built a new mill at Warrenton. In politics he is a Republican. He was united in marriage with Annie Little, who, although a native of Ontario, Canada, was reared in Michigan, and they have one bright child, whom they call Myrtle. In re- ligious matters the family favor the Presby- terian faith and Mrs. Harrison is a member of the church of that denomination.

SAMUEL GLASGOW IRVIN. Few men can boast of having more friends or greater influence than the subject of this biography, who has won distinction as an educator and who has been identified with many public en- terprises in Lincoln county. He was born in Oakville, Ore., May 4, 1854, and is the young- est son of David and Julia Anna ( Haughey) Irvin, the latter a native of Fredericksburg, Ohio. David Irvin was a native of County Down, Ireland, born near the city of Belfast, December 24, 1809, and came to the United States when a boy. He found employment in Pittsburg, Pa., in a shoe factory and some

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time later, having saved some money, he sent for his family-mother, father and brothers- to join him in the new world. He afterward became a partner in a shoe factory at Pitts- burg, and in 1852 started for Oregon in an emigrant train. They crossed the great plains by the Platte river route and experienced con- siderable trouble with the Indians, who killed several of their number. Arriving in Linn county, Mr. Irvin took up a donation claim of three hundred and twenty acres in the vicinity of Oakville, where he lived for a number of years. In 1865 he went to Corvallis and opened a boot and shoe factory, in connection with which he conducted a retail store, and did a very profitable business. It was in that city that he was called upon to mourn the death of his beloved companion, and a short time after Mrs. Irvin's death the bereaved husband went east with his youngest son. Placing the latter in Monmouth College at Monmouth, Ill., he returned to Albany, Ore., and engaged in buying and selling leather, also conducting a retail shoe business, con- tinuing until 1876. He then disposed of his interests in the far west and again going east, he rejoined his son, Samuel Glasgow, and together they spent six months at the Centen- nial Exposition at Philadelphia. Returning to Corvallis, the elder Mr. Irvin lived in retire- ment until his death, which occurred in 1890, while visiting his son at Newport. He was eighty-one years old at the time of his demise. He was a man of influence in his section and one of the organizers of the United Presby- terian Church at Oakville, Ore., which was among the first of that denomination in the state, and which has been in existence more than half a century. He was also intensely in- terested in educational work, and at his death he bequeathed part of his worldly goods to educational institutions. His record for good is rarely equaled and his memory is revered.

Samuel G. Irvin is one of a family of seven children, six of whom grew to maturity. His primary education was received in the common schools, and in 1868 he became a student in the Oregon State Agricultural College at Cor- vallis. He was a member of the senior class when his mother died, and his father decided to take him east to school. In 1871 he was placed in college at Monmouth, Ill., graduating in 1873, with the degree of B. S. In 1874 he was appointed principal of the public schools at Shannon, Ill., and the following term was principal of the Rock City schools, of Illi- nois, retaining that position for a term of two years. In 1877 he went to Freeport, Ill., and for two years was cashier of the firm of Por- ter & Co., prominent grain dealers of that city.

Mr. Irvin returned to his native state in 1879, and in company with three other young men, went to Portland. In 1880 he was appointed principal of the Holladay Addition school, in East Portland, but on account of ill health he went to Newport, Ore., the year following. Being delighted with the climate, he purchased property after a year's residence there, and since that time has been extensively engaged in the real estate business. He has made some of the largest land deals in that section of the state. He bought one hundred and sixty acres in the vicinity of Nye creek, and has erected about one hundred and thirty cot- tages and other residences, churches and school- houses in the city of Newport. He laid out about six additions, the one called Irvington as recently as 1903. He has also laid out three or four additions to Yaquina. He has been promi- nently connected with nearly every enterprise of importance in the county.

In 1895 Mr. Irvin was appointed United States commissioner of the district court, and has filled the office up to the present time. He is a Republican and has been particularly active in politics. He has been school direc- tor for many years and for five terms has served as mayor of Newport. In 1898 he was elected on the Republican ticket as county superintendent of schools of Lincoln county, and served one term of two years. He is now serving as president of the Summer Educa- tional Association of Newport, and ranks among the ablest educators of the state.

Mr. Irvin was married at Corvallis, Ore., to May Ball, a daughter of J. W. Ball. Three children brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. Irvin, Alda May, Lola Lydia and Ina Naomi. Mr. Irvin was one of the organizers of the First Presbyterian Church of Yaquina Bay, located at Newport, and has since served con- tinually as elder.

SAMUEL B. HAMILTON. Jackson county owes not a little of her present prosperity to the worthy lives and untiring industry of the native sons of Tennessee. From this far-off state many have traversed with incredible difficulty the long distance without stopping for any length of time, while others have broken the long journey by short residences in some intervening state, there to recuperate financially as well as physic- ally. To the latter class belongs Samuel B. Hamilton, who has lived on his present farm, ten miles south of Jacksonville, since 1886.

Born in Guernsey county, Tenn., June II, 1833, Mr. Hamilton removed with his family to Mercer county, Mo., in 1840, and lived there and in Iowa until crossing the plains the first

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time, in 1853. The winter previous had been spent in active preparation for the great event, spring finding him fitted with provisions and an ox-team with which he made the memorable trip. He was twenty years old at the time, strong, vigorous, ambitious, and determined to earn a competence in the great undeveloped west. He was six months on the way and met with lit- tle opposition from the Indians, finally arriving in Jacksonville, where he engaged in mining un- til 1856. Going then to California, he worked in the mines of Yreka until February, 1857, when he returned to the east by way of Panama, taking with him a comfortable little hoard. In 1858 he married Mary K. Martin, who had been anxious- ly watching his success, and to whom the gold mined meant a home in a new and hopeful coun- try. Again Mr. Hamilton crossed the plains in an ox-train in 1862, and at Watsonville, Cal., found employment until 1864. He then came to Jacksonville, Ore., and after looking around at different farms for sale, located on a home- stead four miles from Ashland, where he lived and prospered until 1886. He then came to his present farm of two hundred and thirty-four acres on Applegate creek, where he is engaged in general farming and stock-raising. Besides the improvements on the farm at the time of purchase, Mr. Hamilton has added not only a pleasant home for his family, but good barns and the latest of agricultural implements. To him- self and wife have been born six children, of whom Greenburg, William P. and Charles are deceased, and Enoch, Jesse and Elsie are living at home. Mr. Hamilton is a Democrat in poli- tics, but has never had a desire for official serv- ice. He is an industrious, capable and honor- able citizen, a promoter of education, and a be- liever in all that tends to elevate the general tone of his promising county.

JAMES HELMS. The experience of James Helms has not differed materially from that of many other self-made men who have been thrown on their own resources at an early age, and made to demonstrate from the start of what sort of mental and moral material they were made. A man who comes to the west with little save his energy and happy trust in the future, and who accumulates seventeen hundred acres of land, must needs be possessed of more than an aver- age amount of brains and business ability. This became apparent when Mr. Helms was a small boy on the home farm in Floyd county, Va., where he was born February 26, 1836, and where he made himself useful to his parents in innumerable ways. He was not permitted more than an average education, for hard work occu- pied him from early morning until late at night,

and his knowledge is therefore wholly traceable to the efforts of later and more leisure years.

As a boy of eighteen Mr. Helms departed from his home in Virginia and worked on a farm in Illinois, remaining there and saving money until 1856. He then lived in Putnam county, Mo., for about four years, and in 1859 went to Council Bluffs, Iowa, and engaged in farming on his own responsibility until 1863. He was the kind of man to take advantage of every opportunity which came to him, and this year invested in a strong mule-team and drove all the way to Ore- gon, of which he had heard much and read more. The first winter in Portland was spent in various ways, and in the spring of 1864 he rented a farm in Jackson county for a year, and then purchased one hundred and thirty-six acres near Jacksonville, upon which he lived and la- bored for three years. For the following two years he rented a farm in the county, and then bought a portion of his present ranch, then con- sisting of four hundred acres. As his harvests increased more land was added to that already acquired, and as before stated, he at one time owned seventeen hundred acres, a large amount for even this part of the west. At present his farm consists of seven hundred acres, and he is engaged in stock-raising on a large scale, and in general farming and grain-raising.

Mr. Helms subscribes to the principles of the Democratic party, but it is not surprising that so industrious and ambitious a man should have found little time to devote to office-seeking or accepting. Many people temporarily embar- rassed financially have found a ready friend in Mr. Helms, who loans money at reasonable inter- est, and has thus proved a benefactor on many occasions. He occupies a prominent place among the county's agriculturists and stock-raisers, and is to be commended for the splendid enterprise and resourcefulness which have characterized his career. In 1857, in Missouri, Mr. Helms mar- ried Elizabeth Phipps, a native of Indiana. Six children, five boys and one girl, were born of this union, all living. Mrs. Helms died in Decem- ber, 1899, and in September, 1900, Mr. Helms married Mrs. Dora (Martin) Bony, and they have one daughter. Mrs. Helms' first husband was Benjamin Bony, and they had nine children, all of whom are living.

CAPT. JOEL WILSON MUNSON. Throughout Clatsop county few men were ever more widely known, or more highly re- spected, than the late Capt. Joel Wilson Mun- son, of Skipanon. Connected for thirty years with the coast service as a lighthouse-keeper, he was eminently faithful to the duties of his position, by his bravery and forethought sav-

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ing much valuable property, and rescuing many lives from the treacherous waves. Of New England stock, he was born December 25, 1818, in Hebron, Washington county, N. Y., and died at his home in Skipanon, Clatsop county, Ore., March 22, 1899. Nathaniel Mun- son, his father, was born in New England, of Scandinavian ancestry, while his wife, whose maiden name was Cynthia Eggleston, was a native of England. Both spent their last years in New York state.

Reared and educated in Hebron, N. Y., Joel W. Munson learned the carpenter's trade when young, and followed it in his native state for several years. Wishing to broaden his scope of action in a newer country, he followed the march of civilization westward in 1852, sailing from New York city on the boat "Ohio" to the Isthmus of Panama, where he was transferred to the "Constitution." Arriving in San Fran- cisco, Cal., he spent a few months in that city, working at his trade, also filling engagements as a musician, playing on an old violin that he brought around the Isthmus, and which has now an honored position among the family relics. Coming to Portland, Ore., by way of Astoria, in the fall of 1852, Captain Munson stayed there but a short time, ague being alto- gether too prevalent. Going down the Colum- bia river to Oakpoint, Wash., he landed with just $5 in cash, which he wrapped in a piece of paper in order to preserve it, and it is now in the possession of the family. Working at his trade, he assisted in building saw-mills, remaining there three years, and then went to Astoria, where he was conspicuous in the erec- tion of many of the old landmarks of the place. Removing thence to Shoalwater Bay, the cap- tain embarked in the oyster business, in which he continued several seasons, residing in the meantime in Oysterville, Wash. Returning to Astoria, Ore., in the winter of 1864, he worked at his trade for nine months, and then entered the government service, in September, 1865, taking charge of the lighthouse at Fort Canby, a position that he retained twelve years. While at Fort Canby, Captain Munson rigged up an old boat that had long lain useless upon the beach, and by its means, during the first year that he was there, saved the lives of thirteen sailors that had been wrecked- on the coast. He subsequently did much volunteer work as a life-saver, rescuing in all twenty- three persons from a watery grave. Retiring from the service in 1877, the captain located in Astoria, where he was engaged in steamboat- ing for himself for three years. Accepting the position of lighthouse-keeper at Point Adams in December, 1880, he had full control until the lighthouse was discontinued, in January,

1899. Joining his family, who had removed to Skipanon in the fall of 1898, Captain Mun- son lived retired until his death, a short time later.

March 17, 1859, at Oysterville, Wash., Capt. Joel W. Munson married Sophia Kimball, who was born in Laporte county, Ind., March 25, 1841, a daughter of Nathan S. Kimball, who was killed at the Whitman massacre, at which she was present. A more extended his- tory of the Kimball family may be found on another page of this work, in connection with the sketch of A. C. Wirt, whose wife is Mrs. Munson's sister. Two children were born of the union of Captain and Mrs. Munson, namely: Frederick S., of Astoria, a marine engineer on the tug Wallula; and Clara Cyn- thia, living with her widowed mother in Skipa- non. Politically Captain Munson was a stanch Republican, and fraternally he was a member of Beaver Lodge No. 35, I. O. O. F., of As- toria. Mrs. Munson is a member of the Epis- copal Church.

JOSEPH WOLKE. Many of the most re- spected and worthy citizens of Josephine coun- ty are of foreign birth, and have brought to this country the habits of industry and thrift to which they were reared, and which have been the controlling forces in winning for them success in the new world. Prominent among this number is Joseph Wolke, of Grants Pass, who is engaged in the hardware business. A native of Germany, he was born September 19, 1856, in Osnabruck, Hanover, where his parents, Henry and Anna (Wolfe) Wolke, spent their lives. He was one of a family of seven children, of whom but three survive, he and his brother, Theodore Wolke, of Port- land, being the only two members of the fam- ily to come to America.

Brought up on the home farm, Joseph Wolke obtained a common school education in his native town. Beginning to learn the tinner's trade when fifteen years old, he served an apprenticeship of three years in Osnabruck, and subsequently worked in different German provinces as a journeyman. Emigrating to America in the spring of 1889, Mr. Wolke fol- lowed his trade in Cincinnati, Ohio, for eight- een months, and then came to Oregon. Lo- cating in Portland in the fall of 1890, he was in the employ of O. Bayer for nearly three years. Removing to Grants Pass in 1893, he located on Sixth street, where, in company with his brother Theodore he started in busi- ness, and for two years dealt in furniture, house-furnishing goods of all kinds, and car- ried on tinning, the firm name being Wolke

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Brothers. Buying out his brother's interest in the firm in 1895, Mr. Wolke disposed of the furniture department, and put in a stock of hardware. Buying a lot on Front street, Mr. Wolke subsequently erected a store build- ing, 25x100 feet, and put up a warehouse equally as large, and was there engaged in the hardware, plumbing and tinning business for a number of years. October 1, 1902, he sold out his entire business to the Grants Pass Hardware Company, and later became a stock- holder in the same company, becoming its pres- ident, which position he now holds.

In Portland, Ore., Mr. Wolke married Annie Meyers, who was born near Fryberg, Baden, Germany, and they have two children, namely : Alma and Clara. Politically Mr. Wolke affil- iates with the Democratic party; fraternally he belongs to the Woodmen of the World; and religiously he is a member of the Catholic Church. He owns the building occupied by the Grants Pass Hardware Company, the warehouse on H street, store building on G street and his residence on D street, besides several building lots in Grants Pass and Portland.

FRED RAPP. As representing what may be accomplished through the exercise of su- perior ability and practical common sense is the farming enterprise being conducted by Fred Rapp and his parents, a family held in the highest esteem by all who are privileged to know them. Mr. Rapp has known no home save that upon which he is now living, for lie was born here July 19, 1880, received his edu- cation in the near by common schools, and in 1896 attended the Ashland normal school. A conscientious student, he advanced rapidly in his classes, and has since improved every op- portunity to keep abreast of the times, not only agriculturally, but from a general stand- point.

Joseph Rapp, the father of Fred Rapp, was born in Reading, Berks county, Pa., De- cember 15, 1818, and was in turn the son of John Rapp, the representative of a Dutch family. In 1849 Joseph Rapp came to Cali- fornia and engaged in mining, an occupation which he followed for many years with grati- fying success. About 1872 he came north to Oregon and located in Jackson county, upon a farm advantageously situated upon Wagner creek, one and a half miles from Talent, where he remained until his death, September 21, 1897. He was engaged principally in horti- cultural pursuits. In fraternal relations he was a Mason and politically adhered to the principles of the Republican party. He be- longed to the Lutheran Church. January 13,

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Portrait and biographical record of western Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present.., Part 129

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