Portrait and biographical record of western Oregon, containing original sketches of many well known citizens of the past and present.., Part 13

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 13

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CAPT. CHARLES H. KELLOGG. Through a close identification with the river interests of Oregon, dating from his early childhood until his lamented death, Captain Kellogg acquired a thorough knowledge of his chosen occupation and was recognized as the most efficient steam- boat man in the northwest. Old and experienced navigators, such as Captain Couch, gave him un-

stinted praise, and even those unfamiliar with steamboating recognize him as an expert in the business. The native talents he possessed, coupled with his long experience, made him one of the most efficient and successful pilots that ever guided their crafts through the lower Wil- lamette and the Columbia.

The second son of Capt. Joseph Kellogg, in whose sketch appears the family history, Capt. Charles H. Kellogg was born in Wood county, Ohio, October 1, 1846. His earliest recollections are of Oregon, to which state he was brought by his parents in infancy. As a boy he attended the district school at Milwaukee, Ore., and later was a student in the Central school and academy at Portland, completing his education in the Port- land Business College, of which he was among the first graduates. His initial knowledge of the river business was gained under Captain Baugh- man. As soon as qualified to assume command of a vessel he was put in charge of the Senator, a steamer owned by the People's Transportation Company and plying between Portland and Ore- gon City. When the company's interests were sold to Ben Holladay, he relinquished his posi- tion and identified himself with other interests. On the completion of the locks at Oregon City, he had the honor of piloting the first steamer through the locks. For a time he was captain of the Governor Grover on the Willamette river, and later commanded various boats for the Ore- gon Steam Navigation Company. On the or- ganization of the Joseph Kellogg Transportation Company he became a stockholder, and was first its vice-president and then its treasurer, and had command of the steamer Joseph Kellogg until his death.

The first marriage of Capt. C. H. Kellogg oc- curred February 2, 1870, and united him with Miss Emma E. Goode of Oregon City. His sec- ond marriage took place in January, 1882, his wife being Miss Mary Ellen Copeland, of Scap- poose, Ore., by whom he had two children, Pearl and Earl Joseph. While he was still in the prime of life, with a hope of enjoying many years of usefulness and honor, death came to Captain Kellogg August 7, 1889, removing one whose death was a source of sincere mourning among all of his associates and whose memory is still cherished in the hearts of those to whom he was endeared.

CAPT. W. H. SMITH. A veteran of the Civil war and a representative of one of the oldest families of Clackamas county, Captain Smith is now spending his last years in ease and retirement at his beautiful home in Parkplace. Retiring in nature, he has never cared for the emoluments of public office, preferring rather to

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give his whole time and attention to his own business interests. A native of Ohio, his birth occurred in Washington county, December 14, 1840, a son of John A. Smith, who was born in Parkersburg, W. Va., where for a time he lived after reaching mature years, but later re- moved to Ohio. In 1855 he settled in the north- ern part of Missouri, and ten years later found him bound for Oregon with a large party who were also seeking a home in the undeveloped northwest. The journey across the plains was made with ox teams. The encounters with the Indians were many and thrilling. Indeed they were compelled to organize the band into a mili- tary train, of which Captain Knight was made the commander and F. M. Dodson orderly ser- geant. Soon after reaching Oregon, Mr. Smith settled in Clackamas county, taking up a home- stead from the government. Here he resided until 1878, when he sold out and removed to Pomeroy, Wash., where he purchased a tract of land and here he lived the balance of his life, passing away at the age of eighty-four years. His wife, Eliza B. Brewer, whose birth occurred in Ohio, was a daughter of Peter Brewer, a native of New York. His death took place in Lewis county, Mo., when he was about eighty years of age. He was a farmer and partici- pated in the war of 1812.

In Washington county, Ohio, where his birth occurred, Captain Smith spent the first fifteen years of his life, attending the public schools and thus gaining a good foundation for the many busy and useful years before him. The five years previous to the breaking out of the Civil war were spent in Missouri on a farm. When the call for troops was made, Captain Smith was not slow to respond, and in May, 1861, he enlisted in the Home Guards of Colonel Moore. Later, however, he enlisted in the Elev- enth Missouri Cavalry, the latter company be- ing consolidated with the Second Missouri Cav- alry, and was afterwards known as Company L. From private he advanced to orderly sergeant, and later was made first lieutenant, and finally was brevetted captain, commanding company L, Second Missouri Cavalry. During his service lie was engaged in encounters at Cape Girardeau and Pilot Knob; was in Price's raid in Inde- pendence, Mo., in 1864, also in the battle of Mine Run. His experience with the James Boys and Quantrell's men was one that will always be remembered. After four years of noble serv- ice spent in defense of his country, he was mus- tered out, April 7, 1865.

Soon after the close of the war Captain Smith made the trip to Oregon via the plains. His first employment was found in a saw mill on the Clackamas river, near Oregon City. Here lie remained for about twenty years, during

which time he assisted in changing the mill to a paper manufactory. Feeling convinced that the growing west offered a good field for in- vestment, he purchased the Buck donation claim, which consisted of one hundred and seventy acres. At one time he owned fifteen acres in what is now Parkplace and laid out an addition which was called Smith's addition to Parkplace.

On May 7, 1871, occurred the marriage of Mr. Smith with Miss Louise Rivers, a native of Canada. Her father, Israel Rivers, was born in New York, of French descent, his parents going to Canada when he was a young man, and there he engaged in the humber business. After rearing his family the father took his wife and children and started for the west, locating for a time in Illinois and Kansas, but finally settled in Clackamas county in 1866, and here they still reside. Captain and Mrs. Smith have three living children, as follows: Charles E., a resident of Parkplace; Fred W., graduated from the Parkplace high school, the Corvallis col- lege and the Portland business college, and is now employed as a railway mail clerk; Katie, the wife of Paul Freytag, who is engaged in the grocery business in Oregon City.

In political belief Captain Smith is a Repub- lican and for thirty years has served his district as school director. Fraternally he is a member of the Blue Lodge, A. F. & A. M., the Grand Army of the Republic, and the Union Veterans' Union.

While Captain Smith has led a life of retire- ment, he has nevertheless neglected none of the duties of good citizenship and at all times he has been found ready and willing to do his share. No movement calculated to be of benefit to his adopted state or county has went by without his firm and active support. He is a type of citi- zenship which stands for all that is good and pure. His record is an honorable one and with those who know him his word is as good as his bond.

CAPT. JAMES H. McMILLEN. The first member of the McMillen family of whom we have any record is the great-grandfather, James Mc- Millan, a native of Scotland, who upon immigrat- ing to America settled in Rhode Island. His eldest son, also named James McMillan, served valiantly in the Revolutionary war. The latter's eldest son, Joseph McMillen, it will be noted, changed the spelling of the family name, and this has been the style used by subsequent members of the family. The father was a native of Oneida county, N. Y., but in early life removed to Attica. where he learned the millwright's trade. At Pompey, N. Y., he erected a mill, and in 1826 he removed to Buffalo, where he erected the First

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Presbyterian Church, besides many other struct- ures, and also followed millwrighting to quite an extent. Going to Lodi, that state, in 1829, he continued at his trade there, building mills along Cattaraugus creek, and in the year 1836 he removed to Illinois, and on the banks of the Desplaines river also engaged in erecting mills. Working his way further west we next hear of his crossing the plains in 1852. In Oregon City he at once began to work at his trade, also as- sisting in the building of steamboats and similar work. In 1856 he went back to his home in the east, going by way of Panama, and upon return- ing to the west brought his wife with him. Set- tling in Forest Grove, he there spent the re- mainder of his life, dying in 1890. His wife, formerly Ruth Gannett, was a native of Spring- field, Mass., and the daughter of Joseph Gannett, who participated in the Revolutionary war, tak- ing part in the battle of Bunker Hill as a minute man. He was of English descent and came of good old Puritan stock. Mrs. Ruth McMillen died at her home in Forest Grove, when more than ninety years of age.

In the family of Joseph McMillen there were seven children, five of whom came to Oregon and three of whom are living at this writing, two sons and one daughter. In Attica, N. Y., where he was born May 10, 1823, James H. McMillen spent his childhood years, and in the schools of Ohio received his early knowledge of books. Going to Illinois with the family in 1836, he continued his studies there for a time, but, finally, wishing to begin his business career, at the age of fifteen years commenced to learn his father's trade, and this he found of inestimable value, as future years proved. March 14, 1845, he took up the weary march across the plains by ox-teams and did not arrive at Oregon City until October 25 of that year. Work at his trade, however, was waiting for him, and almost immediately he found employment in Governor Abernethy's mill. The massacre of the Whitman party in December, 1847, incensed the settlers and inau- gurated what is known as the Cayuse Indian war. Mr. McMillen was one of the first to volunteer and was made first duty sergeant in the first com- pany of Oregon riflemen, doing service in the vi- cinity of The Dalles. Here he found work at his trade and for a time was employed in building fortifications for the defense of the soldiers. After a service of sixty-eight days he was discharged, as his services were needed in repairing Gover- nor Abernethy's mill, which furnished flour for the soldiers. After performing this task satisfac- torily he was again ready to shoulder his gun, and wherever he could be of use in subduing the In- dians, there he was found ever ready to perform his duty toward the settlers. In the spring of 1849 he was one of the argonauts that sought

the gold fields of California, but unlike the great majority of them his efforts were crowned with more than a modicum of success. From the American river and its tributaries, along which his labors lay principally, he took a large quan- tity of the yellow dust, and in the Oregon can- yon, ten miles east of Coloma, he took out as much as $700 in a single day.

Although he spent but a few months in the gold fields he returned in December of 1849 $8,000 richer than when he started out in the spring. On the Tualatin plains in Washington county he bought a large farm, and to this he added until he had nine hundred acres in the tract. In the meantime he had been employed at his trade, and many mills all over the states of Oregon and Washington stand as monuments to his handi- work.

In 1865 Mr. McMillen sold his farm on the Tualatin plains and on the banks of the Willam- ette purchased a forty acre tract not far from the steel bridge. A few years later he laid out McMillen's addition to East Portland, but this has been almost entirely disposed of, although he still retains three blocks on the river front, where he has built up a fine residence property. Since taking up his residence in Portland he has built several mills, one of which was for Mr. Weidler. in whose employ he remained as millwright for twelve years.

A sketch of Mr. McMillen's life would be in- complete were no mention made of his identifi- cation with the North Pacific History Company, which published the History of the Pacific Northwest, known everywhere, and especially in the west, as the best work of the kind extant. He helped organize, was one of the incorpo- rators of the company and was its president. To him should be given the credit for a large part of the historical matter contained in the work, especially the early history of Oregon, which his associations here in pioneer days made it possible for him to produce.

In Polk county, Ore., in December, 1845, Mr. McMillen was married to Miss Margaret Wise, a native of New York state. She died eleven months later, leaving a son, Frank, who died when he was twelve years old. In Portland oc- curred his second marriage, which united him with Miss Tirzah Barton, a native of Cincin- nati, Ohio. She was the daughter of Capt. Ed- ward Barton, who in 1851 came to Oregon with his family, and who still conducts a carriage manufactory in Portland. Of the second mar- riage the following children were born: Ernest. who died in 1891; Justus and Union, who died at the age of ten and six respectively ; Myrtle, who died in her twelfth year and whose ability as a natural artist was very apparent; Constant, who was killed in an elevator accident when in

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his twenty-second year; Right H., of Washing- ton ; June, the wife of Julius Ordway, engaged in the lumber business in Portland; and Ivy M., wife of William J. Glover, shipping clerk for Bell & Co., of Portland.

Aside from his private interests Mr. McMil- len has served his fellow citizens in numerous capacities. For four years he was councilman in East Portland, and for twelve years was director and clerk of the school board. Educational mat- ters have always claimed a goodly share of his attention and he materially assisted in building the schoolhouses in this vicinity. Fraternally he is a Mason, holding membership in Washington Lodge at East Portland. For a number of years he held the office of president in the First Spirit- ual Society of Portland, with which he still holds membership. He is also interested in the Monu- ment Association and is now its efficient treas- urer. This association erected, in 1903, in Lone Fir cemetery, a monument to the soldiers who participated in the Mexican, Cayuse Indian, Civil and Philippine wars. Mr. McMillen is a member of the Pioneer Society and the Historical Society, in both of which he takes an interested part. For seven years he held the office of cap- tain of Multnomah Camp No. 2, Indian War Veterans, which comprises the soldiers who par- ticipated in the Cayuse Indian war, and is now serving as treasurer. Politically he is a Republi- can, upholding its principles upon every occa- sion.

PROF. REUBEN F. ROBINSON. Early representatives of the Robinson family in Amer- ica identified themselves with the colonists of Virginia, and from that commonwealth sent forth of their bravest and best to fight for the patriot cause during the Revolution. Reuben Robinson, who was a nephew of Col. William Robinson of the Revolutionary army, left Virginia and set- tled in east Tennessee, and from there went to Missouri. He possessed the hardihood and dauntless courage of the frontiersman and it was but natural, when the tide of emigration turned toward the Pacific coast, that he should decide to seek a home beyond the Rocky moun- tains. With ox teams in 1852 he started across the plains. The long and eventful journey came to an end near Junction City, Lane county, Ore., where he took up a donation claim and made it his home the remainder of his life. He not only managed his farm but taught school for several terms during the early period of Oregon settlement.

Prior to the removal of Reuben Robinson to the west, his three sons, George D., Washington and William, in 1849 had crossed the plains toward the setting sun. Washington died in

California and afterward William settled at Jacksonville, Ore. The other son, George D., who was born in the Cumberland mountain re- gion of east Tennessee, engaged in mining for a year in California, but in 1850 came on horse- back to Oregon, swimming his horse across rivers and camping out at night wherever he happened to be. After arriving in Lane county he seized the opportunity of attending school for several short terms, but Oregon's school facilities in the early '50s were not such as to hold ambitious young men long. He afterwards engaged in farming and in hauling produce to the miners of Southern Oregon. About 1865 he, with his family, moved to Polk county and improved a farm near Dallas. In the spring and summer of '68 he drove a large band of cattle to Bitter Root Valley, Mont. Returning the same year, he bought land and continued his farming interests near Dallas, sending his older children to the Dallas school. Believing that a change of climate would prove beneficial to his wife, who was in ill health, in 1880 he removed to Washington and settled near Spokane, where he bought and brought under cultivation a de- sirable tract of land, on which he lived for a number of years. Being physically unable to continue the hard work of the farm, he sold it and returned to his home in Dallas. His wife died in the spring of 1900 and was buried in the Odd Fellows cemetery at Dallas. Since 1900 he has made his home with his children in Portland and Dallas, where he takes a lively interest in municipal affairs, favors educational improvements and reforms, believes thoroughly in the public school, the free library and other agencies for uplifting humanity, and casts a Re- publican vote at every general election.

The marriage of George D. Robinson in Lane county in 1854 united him with Sarah Richard- son, a native of Iowa and the granddaughter of a Revolutionary soldier from Pennsylvania. Her father, William Richardson, was born in Phila- delphia, Pa., of Scotch descent, and settled in Iowa during the early days. He served in the Black Hawk war. Accompanied by his family, he crossed the plains in 1852 and settled in Lane county, Ore., but later removed to Polk county, where he died in 1885.

In the family of George D. and Sarah Robin- son there were the following-named children : John W., who is now a farmer in Polk county ; George Washington, who died in infancy ; Ren- ben F., county superintendent of schools of Multnomah county ; S. Elvira, Mrs. C. M. Cahill, of Spokane, Wash .; Abraham L., who is en- gaged in the grain business at Waverly, Waslı. : S. Grant. who is connected with the Union Market Company in Portland; Mary A .. wife of J. Card, of Dallas; Georgia, who died in

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infancy; and J. Curtis, who is with the Great Northern Railroad Company in Spokane.

While the family were living near Junction City, Ore., R. F. Robinson was born December 9, 1861. As a boy he attended district schools in Polk county and for four years ( 1880-84) was a student in La Creole Academy, the inter- vening vacations being devoted to teaching in Polk county. During the last two years of his academic course he not only kept up with his classes, but also acted as instructor in mathe- matics. After his graduation he was chosen first assistant teacher in the academy and in 1885 became principal. This position he resigned in 1886 in order to accept the office of county superintendent of schools of Polk county, to which he was elected on the Republican ticket. On the expiration of his term, in 1888, he was elected principal of Central school and the East Portland high school. On the consolidation of the city, the latter school was merged into the Portland high school, and he continued as prin- cipal of Central school until 1900, when he was elected superintendent of schools, on the Repub -. lican ticket, by a majority of about three thou- sand. The duties of the office he assumed, in August of 1900, for a term of four years.

During the first year of Mr. Robinson's serv- ice as superintendent of schools of Polk county he continued to act as academy principal as well, but finding his new office required con- stant attention, he resigned his principalship, and then gave much attention to the organiza- tion of the school system there, re-writing the records of the school districts. Since then no county superintendent in Polk county has ever divided his time, but has devoted his attention exclusively to official duties. As a teacher his experience has been varied. He has taught in country schools, has been principal of an acad- emy and principal of a high school, besides acting as superintendent of schools. In the lat- ter capacity he made a special study of methods of instruction for institute work, and since 1900 he has acted as an instructor in a large number of institutes in Oregon and Washington. He has closely organized the schools of the county and carefully guards the educational interests wherever industry and close attention will avail. He is a member of the executive committee of the State Teachers' Association and is the regu- lar instructor of the Multnomah Teachers' Prog- ress Club, an organization of teachers formed for the study of methods and practical school problems.

Aside from his educational work, Professor Robinson has taken a course in law at the Uni- versity of Oregon, from which he was gradu- ated in 1898, with the degree of LL. B., and during the same year was admitted to the bar.

He has not practiced law, but studied it for the benefit that would accrue to his regular work. This knowledge of law he finds of importance to him in his chosen profession. Politically he is a Republican and always takes an active part in the county affairs. While at Dallas he was made a Mason in Jennings Lodge No. 9, but is now connected with Washington Lodge No. 46, of Portland; also Washington Chapter, R. A. M. In the Ancient Order of United Workmen he is connected with Fidelity Lodge No. 4, of which he has been a leading officer. For five years he was a member of the finance committee of the Grand Lodge of Oregon and is now connected with the board of arbitration. The Woodmen of the World also number him among their members. His marriage occurred at Dal- las in 1885 and united him with Ella E. Hal- lock, who was born and educated in this state. Her father, Ezra Y. Hallock, a native of Long Island, came via the Horn to Oregon in 1852 and settled in Polk county, where he engaged in milling. The family of Professor and Mrs. Robinson consists of six children, namely: Carl H., Earl N., Frank L., Reubey Faye, Warde and Claude.

CAPT. RICHARD HOYT. Yet another of the pioneers of this state whose active life began upon the high seas, and who eventually sailed into Portland harbor to identify his activities with the upbuilding of the city, was Capt. Rich- ard Hoyt, from whose life many useful and in- teresting lessons may be drawn. Although he died February 2, 1862, there are many still living who recall his genial and hospitable nature, his capacity for entertainment and his shrewd busi- ness ability. In fact the proverbial inability of mariners to either make or retain money never applied to him, for he possessed none of the ten- dencies which tempt seamen to extravagant ex- penditure, and left his family unusually well pro- vided for.

Captain Hoyt came of a family represented among the very early settlers of New England. He was born in Albany, N. Y., August 7, 1816, his father, Richard, being an edu- cator and farmer during his active life. As is usually the case, the seafaring life appealed to Richard Hoyt while he was still a lad, and when rebelling at a supposed want of opportunity in his immediate family circle. At the age of twelve he ran away from home and shipped before the mast on a sailing vessel, which seemed a calling for which he was best fitted. He liked the work, and under the inspiration of sea breezes advanced rapidly in nautical mat-

ters. Arriving at the age of twenty-one, he

was given command of a vessel for Captain

nes

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Prince, and was delegated to sail from Portland, Me., to European ports. His adventures upon the deep were many and exciting, the present order and system upon the high seas not being in use at that time.

While in port in Albany, N. Y., in 1842, Mr. Hoyt married Mary Ann Middleton, who was born in Lincolnshire, England, August 9, 1818, and reared and educated in Albany, N. Y. Shortly after the marriage he set out on a whaling voyage in the north, and though in- tending to be absent but a few months was gone three years. He came to Oregon as master of a vessel in 1847, bringing missionaries for the Methodist Church, the voyage taking eight months. Among them were "Father" Wilbur, the founder of the "Old Portland Academy," and Rev. Mr. Roberts, equally well known, both accompanied by their families. Again in 1849 he brought another load of missionaries to carry on the work of the church, and this time he left his ship in Portland, secured his discharge papers, and went to the mines in California. His first practical experience on land proved disappointing and unprofitable, and the seasoned sailor naturally turned his thought to the water which he loved so well. Therefore, he began boating on the Sacramento river, but in this venture he failed to realize his expectations. In the meantime, in 1851, he sent east for his wife and son ; his brother, George W. Hoyt, was dele- gated to bring them safely, via the Isthmus of Panama, to the coast.

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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 13

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