USA > Oregon > The Oregon native son, 1900-1901 > Part 45
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JAMES B. STEPHENS. A Pioneer of 1844.
Moore, Photo.
waukie, under the guiding hand of Lot Whitcomb, Capt. Jos. Kellogg and Wm. Torrence, made the race lively for a time. They had a splendid site, nurseries near, a newspaper and a saw mill at whose wharf shipping came to load with cargoes. Their profits on the sale of lumber being so great that they were soon able to purchase the old ship Lau- sanne, including engines for a steamer which were on board. Being possessed of the necessary machinery, Whitcomb determined to build a river racer to make sure the advantages of his townsite. In the enterprise he enlisted the co-opera- tion of Berryman Jennings and S. S.
White, the three costituting the origin- al owners. By Christmas day, 1850, the task was finished, and the steamer Lot Whitcomb, as she was called, slid down the ways into the river. Jacob Kamm, one of the city's millionaire steamboat proprietors and veteran engine- ers, put her machinery together. A difficult task, as it was knocked-down on its arrival, and the only tools to be had here at the beginning was a bellows and an anvil. He, however, went to work. forging his own tools and accomplished the undertaking, and, upon completion, was her engineer for a considerable time. This boat was very commodious and swift. She at first ran between Milwau-
MRS. ELIZABETH STEPHENS. A Pioneer of 1844.
Moore, Photo.
kie and Astoria, making her first trip in March 1851, charging $15 fare, ig- noring Portland without so much as a salute. In 1854 she was sold to Califor- nia parties, and on her arrival there her name was changed to that of Annie Abernethy, after a daughter of Governor Abernethy,
The Pacific Mail Steamship Company. who first selected Astoria as their Ore- gon terminal, bought large interests at St. Helens and transferred the head of navigation for their line of steamers running to San Francisco to that place. bringing it into a position of formidable rivalry. With Milwaukie above as the
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terminal and head of navigation for river craft, and St. Helens below standing Thewise for the ocean steamers, Port- land without steamers or even a wagon
J. C. HAWTHORNE, M. D. A Pioneer of 1857.
road leading into the farming districts, was most forlornely situated, and her prospects seemingly blighted. Her ri- vals knew not, however, the class of men who were interested in her destiny, the triumvirate who did not hesitate to in- augurate colossal enterprises to battle for advantages. To build and equip river and buy ocean steamers to run in opposition to rival towns, would appear almost an impossibility in that early day, but all these things were accomplished, principally by the triumvirate, but greatly assisted by individual residents of the city. Misfortune followed in the oxcan steamer venture through the treachery of San Francisco parties own- ing stock therein, but the endeavor put forth, coupled with the undaunted cour- age of the triumvirate, taught the pro- mnoters of rival townsites that it was dan- gerous to enter into contests with them and forced them, out of self interest. to recognize Portland and establish their terminals there. and by 1851 the public eye became firmly fixed upon her as the coming commercial city of the Pacific Northwest, and its rivals sank at once
into the position of villages. Besides these undertakings, the opening of a road over the mountain to the farming country west, was accomplished. This latter enterprise without doubt did more than any thing else to fix the metropolis where it is.
To Lownsdale. Coffin and Chapman, belongs the credit of laying surely and well the foundations of Portland's sub- sequent prominence as a commercial cen- ter. In doing so, they were public spirited to a fault. Among their gen- erous deeds, donating for park and for other purposes properties for the general benefit of all. In this respect, their good wives, who shared with them in making the bequests, should not be forgotten when honor is conferred and praises sung. All of the three, together with the pioneer mothers who made their fire- sides glow with welcome by their kindly words and smiles benign to frequent callers, now lie silent in the tomb, but their worth to Portland will ever remain one of the brightest pages of its history.
The next in the order of ownership of properties upon which the city is lo- cated was Capt. J. H. Couch, who first
CAPT. WM. IRVING. A Pioneer of 1849.
arrived in Oregon in 1840 as master of the Maryland, at that time Portland being unknown. In 1846 he took up a claim which is now known as Couch's Addi-
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tion. From the moment he bid adieu to the wave to become a resident of the city until his death, he was one of the best and most enterprising of Oregon's pio-
Moore, Photo.
HENRY W. CORBETT. A Pioneer of 1851.
neers and citizens of Portland. He was for a term treasurer of the provisional government ; the first appointce to the office of U. S. inspector of hulls, a position he retained until his decease. He also served in an official capacity under the state, Multnomah county and the city. In each and every trust con- fided to him, never did a custodian more wisely, honestly, and with greater fidelity fulfill the duties devolving upon him. In public employment, so in private life. He was also genial and whole-soled in disposition that he was personally known and esteemed. not only by 'all residents of the city, but wherever his business called him throughout the Union. Through him, the city is probably indebt- ed for the numbering among its progres- sive men. Capt. Geo. H. Flanders. his brother-in-law, and Cicero H. Lewis, his son-in-law. Capt. Flanders was his partner in business for some years, and, like him, made every effort to add to Portland's commercial supremacy. The first vessel going to China from Port- land with a cargo, was dispatched by them. Capt. Couch and Benj. Stark un-
(ler the firm name of Couch & Co., also advertised themselves as bankers and wholesale and retail merchants. Thi- was probably the first banking done in the city.
Immediately north of Capt. Couch set- tled Fred Ramsey, whose claim was af- terwards sold to various parties and is known as Blackistone's, Wilson's, Sher- lock's, and other additions. On the south of the city proper was the claim of Wm. Johnson, now known as Caruther's ad- dition. It is said that he settled thereon asearly as 1843, building his cabin near the corner of Curry and Kelly streets. It is also claimed that he was the only permanent settler below the falls of the Willamette to its mouth until the build- ing of Pettygrove's store.
He was the only one of the original locators of the land upon which the city stands that had an Indian woman for a wife. In 1847 he abandoned his claim and in 1850 his squatter's rights were purchased by Mrs. Elizabeth Caruthers ( Thomas) and her son Finice Caruthers. who proved up on it. Mrs. Caruthers un- der the name of Thomas. She would
Moore, Photo. HENRY FAILING. A Pioneer of 1851.
not, however, be called by this name for reasons best known to herself. The his- tory of these purchasers is somewhat romantic, principally. through the pecu-
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larities of the mother, and by reason of litigation over the estate subsequent to the death of both of them. The relation- ship of the son to his mother was ques-
Moore, Photo.
WM. S. LADD. A Pioneer of 1851.
tioned at her death, but the suit brought to disprove his being her son was dismissed. Upon his death without leaving a will or known heirs, parties went east to find one. Their efforts brought to the front as a claimant, one Joe Thomas, or "Wrestling Joe," who testified that he was the husband of Mrs. Caruthers, winning his suite, but afterwards denied it and exposed a fraud. The land in question has all been platted, the first twenty blocks by Finice Caruthers and the remainder by the company succeeding to the interests of "Wrestling Joe." South of the Johnson claim was that of James M. A. Terwilliger, a man who built the second log cabin in the city and the first dwelling not connected with other building. On the southwest, now known as Portland Heights, Thomas Carter, one of the city's earlier mer- chants located. On the west, by pur- chase in 1849. Amos N. King secured a claim which has been platted and upon the greater portion of the same are situ- ated hundreds of elegant residences. Adjacent properties to these mentioned have been platted and improved upon,
dwellings, manufacturies, hospitals and other buildings closely set together. ex- tending the city limits far and wide.
The earliest claimant to the land on the east side of the river, was Eteine Lu- cier, a French-Canadian, formerly in the employ of the Hudson's Bay Company, settling there as early as 1829. He did not remain there long, removing to French prairie. Among the first pioneers to settle in this section was James B. Ste- phens, Jacob Wheeler, Capt. William Irv- ing and others. Up to 1891 the east side was under a separate city government and known as East Portland. Other municipalities now a portion of the city, also located on that side of the river, were under individual control, they being Al- bina, Sunnyside, and Sellwood. During that year they were with the city on the west, consolidated under the name of Portland. The additions and additions up- on additions known to the east side are without number and cannot be severally spoken of within the scope of this article and mention only will be given to the claims of the first settlers.
What is considered the original site
McAlpin. Photo. CAPT. JACOB. KAMM. A Pioneer of 1850.
of (East) Portland is situated upon the land claim of "Uncle" Timmy Stephens, a porton of which, however, was sold in acreage to Dr. J. C. Hawthorne, who af-
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terwards platted it as Hawthorne's addi- tion. To the north of his claim was that of Jacob Wheeler. He platted it as Wheeler's addition, but soon afterwards
CICERO H. LEWIS. A Pioneer of 1852.
sold the greater portion to interests con- trolled by Ben. Holladay, the latter re- platting the purchase as Holladay's addi- tion. On the north of this claim lav that of William Irving which has been laid off into lots and blocks under the name of various additions, the principal one being Irvington addition. On the north of this claim was that of James Thomp- son, upon which is located the greater portion of the city formerly known as Albina.
James B. Stephens was a pioneer of 1844. He was a cooper by trade and for the first year after his arrival made barrels at Oregon City. These were pur- chased by the Hudson's Bay Company which filled them with salmon, beef, and flour for shipment to the Sandwich Is- lands. In 1845 he bought at administra- tor's sale a deceased squatter's right to the claim which was subsequently pat- ented to him. He began early in the ferriage business across the river, at first transporting travelers over in a canoe, then by huge sweep of oars and then by mule-power. The first written opinion . delivered by the supreme court, of which there is any record, was one denying him
a license to operate his ferry. He con- tinued in this business for some seventeen years when he sold it out. He was al- ways a firm friend of the public school system, giving liberally of his properties upon which school houses could be erect- ed. He was progressive in his ideas, fostering and encouraging all plans for improvement.
In '56 the first cider manufactured in the city was made by him. His cider- mill, then a new invention, was the sub- ject of no little gossip throughout the state. Farmers discussed the matter over their pipes, telling one another that it would grind sixty bushels of apples, $420 worth, per hour, for apples were - selling that year for $7 a bushel.
Crossing the river in an early day was somewhat dangerous. The story is told of the first ferryman's being forbidden by the proprietor of the east side to land passengers upon his premises ; the cross- ing was made in a canoe in the face of a loaded shotgun in the hands of the man on the opposite side ; however, the ferry- man, upon pretence of shipping his oars; suddenly produced a rifle and under its
Kroft, Photo. CAPT. JOSEPH KELLOGG. A Pioneer of 1849
protection the passengers were landed unmolested. The mule-power ferry was considered in its day quite an advance over the more primitive methods of run-
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PORTLAND, OREGON.
ning a ferry. The first of the boats pro- pelled in this manner had a tread-mill arrangement fixed in the middle of the boat, and paddle-wheels placed on each
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Tollman, Photo. EDWARD J. NORTHRUP. A Pioneer of 1852.
side. When the mule started the wheel would revolve, and with the aid of a long oar at the boat's end, steered to the opposite bank. Latterly an improvement was made-a tread mill being placed on each side of the boat and two mules used to work them. The terminal on the east side of the river was first located at the foot of East Oak (old J) street, but aftrwards removed to East Stark (old L) street. One of these old boats was called the Black Maria, and rightly named. In the absence of paint she was covered with tar, and on a hot day there was difficulty in gettng loose. if one got against it with their clothing.
One morning at an early hour a travel- er came down to the river. wishing to get across. Finding the captain of the craft absent, and being a little under the in- fluence of stimulents, he concluded to run the boat over without the missing skip- per. All went very well until he reached the middle of the stream when the mules ceased to work their tread-mills with the same speed and the boat went circling round and round, the man for-
getting to use the oar at the end as a stearing apparatus. He ran from mule to mule cursing each in turn to make them work together, but without effect. all the time floating down the stream. The captain finally came to his rescue in a small boat about the time of his reach- ing Swan island, and after union of cursing and application of club well laid in the back of the mules, at last arrived at the ferry slip on this side, where a rest had to be taken for several hours. The captain was so exasperated that he for- got to ask the traveller for his ferriage and the traveler never likd to have his experience in navigating a ferry boat re- ferred to by his friends. He was at the time and likewise for years, a river steamer captain.
Jacob Wheeler was a quiet, though substantial citizen, and while he lived in . (East) Portland, was ever ready to as- sist any endeavor for its upbuilding. He removed to California many years ago where he now resides.
Capt. William Irving arrived here in 1849, as master and part owner of the
Davies, Photo. JOSEPH A. STROWBRIDGE. A Pioneer of 1852.
bark Success. On this vessel he brought a small steamer, known as the little Eagle. This steamer he placed on the Portland-Oregon City route where he
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ran her for a time then sold her to other parties. Later he bought the Express, and, associated with others, owned a number of equally well-known pioneer
McAlpin, Photo. JUSTUS M. STROWBRIDGE. A Pioneer of 1853
steamers. In 1859 he disposed of his transportation interests here and removed to Victoria where he continued a like avocation until his death. The proper- ties which comprise his donation claim have been improved, in the main, by his surviving widow. She has erected and owns some of the best and most com- modious docks along the river front.
While our article treats more espe- cially of the original Portland, its eastern after accessions cannot be well dropped without mention of Dr. J. C. Hawthorne and Capt. James H. McMillan. The former was ever, not only one of the fore- most citizens of the community in which he lived, but of Oregon as well. He con- ducted for years an insane asylum on the contract plan for the state, and to his credit be it said that the patients un- der his charge received the best of care, treatment and consideration. The doc- tor's influence never failed a good cause, and where improvement, the public weal or sweet charity needed a champion, he was always counted among those in the front ranks.
Capt. McMillan was a pioneer of 1845. All he had between himself and starva-
tion on his arrival was a fifty-cent piece and a determination to make an honest living. For the first two years he applied himself to various pursuits for a liveli- hood, and in 1847 was employed by Dr. McLoughlin to construct a bridge from the main street in Oregon City over the basin used by the doctor as a boom for logs. Upon this bridge was placed eight hundred and fifty feet of railway, made out of two-by-four scantlings, and bar iron one-half-by-two inches. This was the first railroad in the state, or west of the Rocky mountains. He served in the Indian wars with credit, finding his own horse and blankets, and the govern- ment did not contribute to the "ration" store. He obtained his realty on the east side of the river through purchase. Since acquiring it he had it platted and it forms one of the attractive residence por- tions of the city.
One of the early residents of the city who brought to Oregon much mature business experience and also a full knowledge of metropolitan life and man- ners, was Josiah Failing. On his ar- rival he established himself in the mer-
SAM'L A. CLARKE. A Pioneer of 1550.
cantile business under the firm name of J. Failing & Co .. his son Henry being his partner. In 1871 the firm was consoli- dated with that of H. W. Corbett, also
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PORTLAND, OREGON.
engaged in general merchandising, un- der the name of Corbett. Failing & Co. This firm soon began to deal exclusively mn hardware. Latterly the stockholders
Hoyt, Photo. GEORGE W. SHAVER. A Pioneer of 1550.
of this firm and those interested in the firm of Foster & Robertson, a like enter- prise, pooled their stock. and organized a new company which absorbed both of the old ones. This house took for name that of Corbett, Failing & Robertson, the managing partner now being Wm. E. Robertson, who came here with his parents when a child in 1855. Before these changes had, however. taken place, Mr. Failing retied from active business life. In 1853 he was mayor of the city and has otherwise been somewhat iden- tified with public affairs.
At a very early day he gave his at- tention to the subject of Portland's public schools, maintaining through life a con- stant interest in them. Indeed, he may well be called the father of the public schools in this city. In his honor the Failing school was named. His life. pro- longed even beyond the three score years and ten of the psalmist. was ever an ex- ample of well-doing. His industrious career was an honest one and none had greater consideration for the rights and interests of others than he possesed. He was always one of the most liberal and
firm supporters of the Baptist church, of which he was a member. His labors and actions, in all their parts, might well be studied with a view of imitation by a people desirous of progress; for they were of that useful character which makes a city great and worth living in.
Among the early pioneers to Portland the lives of four have been so closely in- terwoven with its growth that their careers constitute a great portion of its history. Each of whom tied his for- tunes to the single issue of its success ; each depended absolutely upon its future for his own future, and its rise marked their rise from a position of very mod- erate circumstances to that of being the wealthiest men of the Pacific Northwest. These four men, it is needless to say were Henry W. Corbett, Wm. S. Ladd, Henry Failing, and Cicero H. Lewis. There are still other men who have achieved great wealth, each in their own particular line, and are entitled to prom- inent place among the builders of the city. Some were cut down by the scythe of time before Portland attained her
Browning, Photo. SAMUEL SHERLOCK. A Pioneer of 1850.
present prominent position ; some ling- ered vet a few more years and a few re- main as actively as the weight of ad- vanced age will permit, still doing what they can for the city's increased com-
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mercial advantages. Among them may be mentioned Hiram Smith, Capt. J. C. Ainsworth, Jacob Kamm, Simeon G. Reed, R. R. Thompson, John C. Carson,
Browning, Photo THOMAS J. DRYER. A Pioneer of 1850.
Joseph A. Strowbridge, Justin M. Strow- bridge, Capt. Joseph Kellogg, Edward J. Northrup, P. A. Marquam, Henry L. Pit- tock, H. W. Scott, Simon Blumauer, Geo. W. Shaver, John Wilson, Wm. Sherlock, Sam'l Sherlock. W. W. Baker, the vet- eran newspaper man, and others.
We have not the space to portray the characters, business life, or political walk of Henry W. Corbett, Wm. S. Ladd, or Henry Failing, since their becoming residents of the city as they should be, nor yet give but briefest mention to the great benefits the city derived through their coming here. Their business at- fairs were not confined within the limits of their great financial institutions; to connection with mercantile concern or individual effort in making the city sub- stantial and beautiful with high uplifted building of stone and brick or palatial mansion. Hardly any enterprise, no mat- ter how great the magnitude, but what they were in some manner connected with it, pushing to make them not only profitable, but to add impetus to enter- prise and give employment to labor at wage worthy of the hire. Religious in- stitutions were not forgotten ; both public
and private schools received marked at- tention, and charity-the giving of which makes mankind truly good and great, was ever in their minds eye. Among the many charitable institutions in the city there are but very few but what they were instrumental in founding as well as their greatest and life long beneficiaries. Quietly and unknown they gave; and on public subscription for relief of suffering humanity, for the benefit of the public their names headed the list in amounts far larger than those lower down thereon. Since the annual meetings of the pio- neers have been held in Portland, over fifteen years, they have each contributed $100 per year for the entertainment of these noble men and women who builded our fair state. To enumerate all their acts for the general good cannot here be done. Mr. Ladd and Mr. Failing have both served as mayor of the city, and Mr. Corbett, the state, as United States sena- tor, and all, the community in various other ways redounding to its benefit and their credit.
From the date of the arrival of Cicero H. Lewis in the city to the time of his death, he was extensively identified with commercial pursuits, being the head of
HARVEY W. SCOTT. A Pioneer of 1852.
the princely wholesale grocers and com- mission house of Allen & Lewis. The business of this firm has always been
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conducted on the strictest lines of integ- rity, and wherever known, and it is a household word in the Pacific North- west, no claim of unfair dealing has ever
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Aune, Photo.
SIMON BLUMAUER. A Pioneer of 1852.
been charged against it. Mr. Lewis was a man of keen perception, excellent judg- ment and tireless energy. While he was connected with transportation corpora- tions as well as other enterprises in a greater or less degree, he gave his main endeavor to his mercantile affairs, leav- ing the management of other holdings to his associates in such enterprises. In every phase of life he was plain, unas- suming, sympathetic, and charitable. It is seldom that a public spirited man goes through life without holding public trusts, especially when emoluments are linked with the office. Mr. Lewis was an exception in this respect, for he never would accept but one position, and that without salary, it being a member of the water commission of the city. While the duties of this position were not ardu- Ous, it required brains to fill it well. His services on the board were invaluable to the community.
The first steamer built within the limits of the harbor was constructed by A. S. Murray. John Torrence, and James Clin- ton in 1853. She was given the name of Portland When completed she was
taken to the upper Willamette and ran there until 1857, when she was lost, be- ing carried over the falls and dashed to pieces, drowning her captain and a dock- man.
Of those who were engaged in steam- boating in pioneer days, were Jacob Kamm and Joseph Kellogg. From the earliest infancy of such enterprises here until river traffic had grown to immense proportions they were leaders. Cut off from the interior except by wagon road and river, until recent years, this section of the Union could not have made the progress which it has without the untir- nig energy of just such progressive men as they have been. Though one long since left the pilot house and the other has ceased to run the engines, both have continued during the intervening years. down to the present date, to link their walk of life to river transportation, both owning the larger interest in dif- ferent lines now running out of the city.
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