USA > Oregon > The Oregon native son, 1900-1901 > Part 46
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The consolidation of various interests of river transportation brought together the nucleus and after prominence of the Oregon Steam Navigation Company.
HENRY L. PITTOCK. A Pioneer of 1853.
Over this great corporation the master minds of Ainsworth, Reed, Thompson, Kamm, and Ladd kept watch. The two latter dictated to a great extent the finan-
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cial policy, and the first three looked after the active management, Capt. Ainsworth being the president and the controlling force. All became million- aires, and all but one spent a portion of his means in the erection of fine business blocks and otherwise improved his prop- erty in the city.
Another pioneer noted for his urbanity, generosity and ability was Hiram Smith. He was wealthy prior to his coming to Oregon and, it is said, used much money assisting other emigrants to reach
the progress of Portland is due. In season and out of season they worked for its upbuilding and adornment. For a few years they were partners in business, but afterwards the firm was dissolved, Justus engaging in the shipping busi- ness in Idaho where he made a hand- some fortune and returned again to Port- land and has since been unoccupied in trade. Joseph entered into partnership with the late C. M. Wiberg, and carried on an extensive boot and shoe business for several years, and then took up deal-
ـفريقه.
Aune, Photo.
THE CROSBY HOUSE. FIRST FRAME DWELLING BUILT IN PORTLAND.
here. To the poor and unfortunate in the city he was an angel of deliverance, and made a specialty of putting broken or dispirited men on their feet again. Since his death unknown benevolence has come to light, and his gifts during the Oregon Indian wars, for the relief of settler and wounded sokliers and many other acts of noble charity and philan- throphy, reflect a world of credit upon his own name, but no less upon Port- land.
To the Strowbridge brothers much of
ing in leather findings on his own ac- count, a business he still conducts. his ventures netting him handsome reve- nues and he is now one of Portland's wealthy citizens. He has led more of a political life than his brother Justus, serving Multnomah county in the legis- lature, as a representative with ability, and as school director of Portland, in the latter position taking a much more lively interest in educational matters than the average man who has a vote in the conduct of schools. These brothers
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are regarded as being shrewd, practical business men, and their reputation as honorable gentlemen of the highest in- tegrity has been firmly established, and they possess the respect and confidence of all. To public religious and chari- table endeavor they contribute their full share, and in some instances have dis- tributed their means in a most liberal manner. They were deeply interested in the efforts to build the Portland. Dalles and Salt Lake Railway, an enterprise spoken of on another page of this num- ber of this magazine.
dent to the welfare of Portland he never was a laggard, but always progressive and liberal. His son Louis was the first Jewish boy born in the city; another. Sol, is the efficient grand president of the Native Sons, serving a second term.
Among the many who have died in Portland leaving the city better for hav- ing lived in it the name of Edw. J. North- rup deserves no mean place. He came here in 1852 to clerk for his father, Nel- son Northrup, who had preceded him by a couple of years, and in 1856 began busi- ness on his own account with J. M. Blos-
HOTEL PORTLAND.
The first of the Jewish race to locate in the city were Goldsmith & May, mer- chants, in 1849. Following them came a few others, but all soon left. The first to come and remain, were the Blumauer brothers, Joseph and Simon, arriving in 1851-52. Since the coming of Simon he has been connected with merchandising, in some of its leading branches, either actively or with his sons relieving him of the burden of the work, leaving him to give that valuable advice which yearsof experiene teaches one. In matters inci-
som as a partner. The hardware busi- ness thus established grew into what is now known as the Honeyman, DeHart Hardware Company. For some twenty years he engaged in this trade, his name always being at the head of the firm. when he disposed of his interests on ac- count of failing health. A few years later he opened out in the carriage and wagon material line, but his career was cut short by reason of the fracture of his skull through a fall. Thus in the prime of life was taken suddenly from his fam-
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ily and friends one who did much to build up his adopted city and state not only in a commercial way, but also in a moral one. He was always found on the right side of all movements for the moral up- lifting of his fellowmen. His integrity and moral worth were fully appreciated by all who knew him, and his business affairs throwing him into contact with business men from all parts of the Pacific
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. Routledge. Photo. THE OREGONIAN BUILDING.
Northwest, those acquainted with him were numbered by the score.
Judge P. A. Marquam, one of the city's best citizens, has long been identified with its progressive interests, and one of the finest structures within its limits, con- taining under its roof commodious store rooms, hundreds of offices and a mag- nificent theatre, was built by him, and is known by his name. He has served the
city and county in various official capa- cities ably and well.
John C. Carson, another well-known business han for many years of the city. has always been active in educational, religious, and political circles, holding many important positions within the gift of the citizens. He has never borne the name of "doctor" but is as much entitled to the title as many of theose who came to Oregon along about the same date as he did, for he all but graduated in medicine before his arrival.
Wm. Sherlock, with C. P. Bacon, es- tablished the first livery stable of any consequence in Portland. This was known as the "Blackhawk," and was for years a household word in the Pacific Northwest. Wm. Sherlock was of a very kindly disposition, liberal, and alive to the needs of Portland, and never was known to be opposed to any measure tending to its upbuilding. He early se- cured acreage in the western portion of the city, which he platted as Sherlock's addition. This is one of the most sightly residence sections of Portland. He was always public spirited and progressive, doing much for Portland's welfare.
Sam'l Sherlock early began as a harness and saddlery dealer, maintain- ing the lead in that line of business from the date of beginning to his death. when his widow carried it on for many years with profit and success. This firm was the largest of its kind in the Pacific Northwest for many years, and it is need- less to say that its reputation for honor- able dealing was of the very best. Mr. Sherlock was a leader in the Masonic fraternity while in the city and alive. Portland lost one of her progressive men when he died.
James M. A. Terwilliger first took up a claim now known as the Prettyman donation, but traded it to James David- son for a horse, and it in turn, together with a few dollars extra, for the six hun- dred and forty acres comprising the claim afterwards patented to himself. He was descended from Holland-Dutch ancestry, about the only representative of that people in the city for a number
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vi years subsequent to his arrival. In his heart was a tender spot for the needy and he never turned away when public or private assistance was brought to his attention.
Following the earlier structures, came. others of like character, log houses be- ing in fashion up to 1847. In this year buildings of a more pretentious appear- ance began to be erected. Among the first frame dwellings and claimed by some to be the pioneer of its class, was one built in the lattr part of this year by Capt. Crosby. Its original location was
east. Carpenters were paid $15 per day to put it together, and were in no haste, making the building very expensive. Several early marriages were celebrated under its roof, among them being those of Mr. and Mrs. F. G. De Witt and Gov. and Mrs. Pennoyer. Mrs. DeWitt, for- merly Mrs. Polk, was the first occupant, Capt. Crosby's family not coming until sometime subsequent to its building. In these days it was looked upon with as much pride as the Hotel Portland is by the present residents. This dwelling of antique grandeur is in part occupied by
Orvil W. West, l'hoto
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THE WILLAMETTE.
"From the Cascades frozen gorges, Leaping like a child at play, Winding, winding through the valley, Bright Willamette glides away; Onward ever. Lovely river. Softly calling to the sea; Time that scars us, Maims and mars us, Leaves no track or trench on thee.
on the southwest corner of First and Washington streets, but now stands on Fourth near the corner of Yamhill. The doors, windows, and weather-boarding was brougt around the Horn from the
the publishers of this magazine. The Grand Secretary of the Native Sons of Oregon also has an office therein.
The first amusements were of the class known to frontir life, consisting of can-
Tollman, Photo. MRS. NANCY (BATES) ATKINSON. A Pioneer of 1848.
Tollman, Photo. REV. GEO. H. ATKINSON. A Pioneer of 1848
Browning, Photo. JOSIAH FAILING. A Pioneer of 1851.
Browning, Photo. EMIL BORIES, M. D.
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h pulls, quilting bees, surprise parties, cte., together with pleasure rides on the river in canoes.
The first ministrel troupe to come be- fore an audience in the Pacific North- nest was composed of pioneers. They were William Chance, bones : John Bar+- kett, violin; Dr. G. W. McCracken. tri- angle, - Carlyle, tamborine. Their initial performance was given in Port- land on December 2, 1850. at the resi- dence of Simeon G Reed, whose dining- room had been turned into a temporary theater. Mr. Reed was paid $50 for the use of his residence for two hours. Hc was also required to furnish the tallow candles used to light up the same during the performance. Everybody paid $t admission, and the house was full. The troupe came down from Oregon City in a canoe, but, in order to save expenses, walked back to that place. On reaching Milwaukie, on the return trip, they found a mill located there to be on fire. Ail water near at hand being frozen into ice they fought the flames with snow balls. and with them succeeded in quenching the fire. The other towns visited were Ore- gon City, Butteville, Champoeg and Sa- lem. The season being ended. they found that their profits amounted to sev- enty-five cents. They, however ha oceans of fun.
One of the most interesting of all the early landmarks stands back of Ladd & Tilton's bank on the corner of Second and Stark streets, having been moved side- wise from its original position on Stark between First and Second. This was erected by C. P. Stewart in 1858, it being the first regularly built theatre in Oregon. It was opened November 23, 1858, with a comedy called "The Honeymoon," in- termingled with many songs and dances, and concluding with the farce of -Betsy Baker." The building accommodated several hundred persons, and was opened niglitly, Stewart's wife, Mrs. Lizzie Gor- don Stewart, and her sister, Madame Louise Gordon, helping to furnish enter- tainment for such devotees of the stage as were not too tired to go after their day's work of felling fir trees or baking bread.
The first tragic actress of any note to appear on these boards was MIIle. Marie Duret, well known and of good repute throughout Europe, who came in the early spring of '59 and remained several weeks, afterward making a tour of the valley, where she gave Shakespearian readings. Her impersonation of "MIrs. Haller" on the stage of Stewart's theater brought her audience to tears, for people were more sympathetic in those early days, owing to their simple. uncon- strained mode of living, and the liard- ships they suffered in common. Mlle. Duret's Bianca in "Fazio"-a play that was then in the full tide of its popular- ity-also made a profound impression. But, on the whole, Portland people found greater enjoyment in some of the old English comedies revived especially for them, preferring, very sensibly, to laugh rather than to weep. Accordingly, she gave them "The Love Chase," wherein her Constance was said to be the finest in the world, "Lady of Lyons" and the "Four Sisters," in which she personated four distinct characters.
This building has also been tlie scene of many political triumphs and public demonstrations. Benjamin Stark, United States senator from Oregon in 1861-62, made more than one democratie speech within its walls. In the remakable po- litical conflict in 1860, when Col. E. D. Baker on the side of the republicans, and Delazon Smith on the side of tlie Breck- enridge democrats, made their great can- vas of the state. Baker's election was a notable one, for he was the first republi- can senator ever elected to a distinguished office on this coast. Joseph Lane. United States senator from Oregon, and candi- date for the vice presideney with Breck- enridge at the time of the secession, also made speeches in this theater, as well as Col. Nsmith, another one of Oregon's pi- oneer senators, whose memory she justly holds in honor.
It will thus be seen that this old ram- shackle building is a landmark of no ordinary importance, intimately bound up as it is with a most momentous period of Oregon's early history, and the scene, many times over, of the most intense emotional excitement.
Browning, Photo. MRS. SARAH FAIRBANKS KING. A Pioneer of 1852.
Hofsteater, Photo. WILLIAM P. OLDS.
Hofsteater, Photo. CHARLES W. KING.'
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PORTLAND, OREGON.
The old shack of a building standing on the northeast corner of First and Washington streets, where faded sign- Wards, ragged awnings, and broken windows stare apologetically at its more pretentious neighbors, was erected in the carlier fifties by Jacob Kamm, and was considered in its day quite an ornament to the city. The first barbershop in l'ortland was located on the ground floor of this structure, and the city coun- cil, for a time, occupied the upper floor. South of this, on the corner of First and Morrison, now stands another landmark, the Occidental Hotel. Upon its site for- merly stood the first post office building. The first two-story frame building be- longed to Thomas Carter. The first one- story brick, to W. S. Ladd, who was Portland's first real banker. The first two-story brick was the propertyof Blum- auer Brothers, and the first three-story . one to Benj. Stark. In the matter of ho- tels and lodging houses, the early ac- commodations were of the most primitive character. The old California house is said to have been the first regular hotel. The first, however, of any consequence was the Canton House, built in 1851, by General Coffin, and in which the first co- tilion party was held that year. It was a three-story structure of fairly decent ap- pearance and of respectable finish, and for years stood on the corner of Front and Washington streets. It was subse- quently re-christened the American Ex- change, a name it has been best known by. Becoming useless as a building where it originally stood, it was removed to give place to a more modern one, and it now can be seen, with appearance look indici- tave of excellence departed, on Jefferson and First streets. The first elegant resi- dence was built as early as 1854 by H. W. Corbett, and the first palatial home in 1859, by W. S. Ladd.
Portland was incorporated in 1851, and the first city election was held in that vear, the votes cast numbering two hun- dred and twenty-two. Until 1854 it was in Washington county, and that portion on the east side of the river in Clackamas county. In that year Multnomah county was organized and Portland became its
county seat. It is a curious fact that the first document recorded in Washington county was a bill of sale of a Portland lot, the date of the instrument being October 25, 1849.
The city fathers met in rented quarters until the building of the present city hall. Hugh O'Bryant was the first mayor. It is somewhat remarkable that Petty- grove, Lovejoy, Lownsdale, Chapman, Coffin, Carter, Stark, King, and Wheel- er, never held an office within the gift of the city. Couch, Carter, Coffin, Ste- phens, served as councilmen. Another coincidence is that Lovejoy, Prettygrove, Lownsdale, Chapman , Coffin, Carter, Stark, Couch, Wheeler, Stephens, King, Johnson, Mrs. Caruthers and her son, Hawthorne and Ladd, who have been the city's greatest proprietors, were Ameri- cans.
Up to 1850 Portland was without a newspaper. The Spectator, the pioneer on the Pacific coast, had been published at Oregon City since 1846, and Milwaukie possessed a journal called the Western Star, established November, 1850. The ambitious triumvirate saw the necessity of this kind of an advocate to assist in the upbuilding of Portland, and resolved that her neighbors should not outstripher. Coffin and Chapman went to San Fran- cisco, in conjunction with other business, and determined that they would not re- turn without a newspaper plant. On their arrival in the bay city they met Thomas J. Dryer, who had an outfit such as wanted. To Chapman was delegated the task of inducing him to bring it to Portland and establish himself. Upon his representations Dryer shipped his plant to Portland, forwarding it by sailing vessel, did not reach its destination until a month following. On December 4, 1850, the first copy of the city's first paper appeared under the name of The Oregonian, and from that day to this it has regularly been issued as founded, a weekly, every week. It was a sheet of four pages with four columns to the page. Thomas and Arthur, sons of Col. Chapman, and Hen- rv Hill, distributing it throughout the city. The subscription price at that time was $7
McAlpin, Photo. FREDERICK V. HOLMAN.
Davies, Photo. DOUGLAS W. TAYLOR.
THE GRADUATING CLASS OF THE YEAR 1868
PORTLAND ACADEMY AND
FEMALE SEMINARY
FOSTER BENNETT.
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Hofsteater, Photo. WINFIELD S. CHAPMAN. J
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Cousin, Photo. HARRA D. CHAPMAN.
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per year. Dryer was not only its founder but its first editor. Being an aggressive and spirited writer, he filled all the re- quirements of that pioneer era from an editorial standpoint, but he was a poor financier and through this the venture did not forge to the front as rapidly as it und subsequently under different man- agement.
In May, 1851, J. O. Watterman and W. D. Carter, who had been running the Star at Milwaukie for Whitcomb, pur- chased it and removed the plant to Port- land. changing the name, calling it the Oregon Weekly Times. It continuued until 1861, under various names, when it suspended publication. In 1853 Henry L. Pittock became an employe on the pa- per, and he was just the man needed to instill business principles into its man- agement. He was a practical printer and of sober and industrious habits. By 1861 Dryer had become indebted to him in a considerable sum for services rend- ered, and proposed that Pittock take the paper in settlement of the account, which proposition was accepted, and since then its destniny as a business enterprise has been guided by his management. In 1859, prior to his taking hold, two daily papers had been started, the News on April 18, 1859, by S. A. English & Co., with the late E. D. Shattuck as editor, which was quickly followed by the Adver- tiser, under the editorial and proprietory controll of Alonzo Leland. Both of these papers ceased publication in a year or so, but not until it had been demon- strated to the Oregonian management that it must also issue a daily, or go out of business. Pittock was equal to the emer- gency, and on February1, 1861, the first issue of the Oregonian appeared as a daily. It was a sheet of four pages with four columns to the page, quite in con- trast with some of its now thirty-four pages with seven columns to the page.
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As it epoused the cause of the Union, then batteling with the South in rebellion, and made the most vigorous efforts to obtain the news, it at once stepped into popularity and soon distanced its rivals, otherwise politically inclined, in public favor. Simeon Frances was the first
editor of the daily, following him came Amory Holbrook, John F. Damon, Sam'l A. Clarke, W. Lair Hill, and its present editor in chief and part owner of the enterprise, Harvey W. Scott. Since this latter gentleman became identified with it, those who are the best qualified to render an opinion state that it is one of the leading twelve of the most ably edited journals in the United States. To Pittock's business management and Scott's gifted pen is due its growth and present envied prominence as a dissemi- nator of the world's affairs, not only at home but far and wide.
The first courts were held in a building erected by public subscriptions for a school and religious purposes in 1840. The first judicial officer was A. H. Prior, 1846, justice of the peace for the eastern district of Tuallity district, afterwards, 1849, Washington county, and in 1854, Multnomah county. The first term of the district court, Cyrus Olney judge, was held in a wooden building situatd on the corner of front and Salmon streets, and owned by Coleman Barrell. This was in April, 1853. In this stucture the holding of judicial tribunal was continued un- til 1867, when the present county court house was built .. The first person ad- mitted to citizenship was Peter Espeld- ing. The first term of the county court began January 17, 1855. Geo. W. Vaughn county judge.
Among the attorneysof that period then living in the city were David Logan, Ore- gon's greatest criminal lawyer, and once mayor of the city. Benj. Stark, J. K. Kelly, L. F. Grover, and Geo. H. Wil- liams, subsequently United States sen- ators of the state. Grover was also twice elected governor, and was Oregon's first representative to congress. Williams was also attorney-general in Pesident Grant's cabinet. R. P. Boise became su- preme judge, E. D. Shattuck for years a district judge and M. P. Deady a U. S. district judge. W. W. Chapman held high judicial position and represented territorial Iowa before coming here, and was lieutenant-colonel of volunteers in the Rogue river wars with the Indians. Mark A. Chinn, a major in the Yakima
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Indian war, Amory Holbrook, one of the brilliant lights of the bar, came here as territorial U. S. district attorney. Edward Hamilton, first territorial sec- retary of state, was a captain in the Mex- can war and general of malitia before coming, and also the first county judge of Multnomah county after Oregon became a state. A. L. Lovejoy, who held many important official positions, and S. B. Marye, also formerly mayor of Portland.
The first white child born in the city was Oregon C. Hastings, the son of Loren B. and Lucinda Hastings, pioneers of 1847. Mrs. Hastings was not only the first white woman to become a mother in Portland, but the first to step foot up- on the townsite of Port Townsend, she having gone there with her husband, Pettygrove, and others in 1852, to found a new city.
Pettygrove & Co. were the pioneer merchants. Thomas H. Smith was the first post master ; James M. A. Terwil- liger the pioneer blacksmith; D. H. Lownsdale operated the first tannery, the first of any importance on the Pa- cific coast, and Job McNamme ran the first bowling alley. The express business was monopolized for a time by John Waymire, using a pair of oxen and a sled to haul freights, until opposition was begun by a colored man by the name of Clark. The outfit of the latter consist- ed of a cart and an old white mule. Mr. Waymire also owned the first saw mill, the sole machinery being a whip- saw, operated with one man who stood on the log above and did the up-stroke, and by another who stood below doing the downward stroke and getting the dust. Stephen Coffin owned the first steam saw mill. which was constructed under the supervision of W. P. Abarms. Among those employed in the building of this mill was James W. Trutch, after- wards one of the leading government offi- cials of British Columbia. John Gates, afterwards mavor, also began his career in Portland within its walls. The first fouring mill was the property of Geo. W. Vaughn, one of the early mayors of the city. He was also the first hardware ‹lealer.
Dr. Ralph Wilcox was the first physi- cian, as well as the pioneer school teacher, 1847, teaching the few children then in Portland at his log cabin home. The first lady teacher was Miss Julia Carter ( Mrs. J. S. Smith) who taught in 1848 in a log cabin situated on the corner of Sec- ond and Stark streets. When public schools came into vogue in 1851, John T. Outhouse was installed as the teacher. Of this class of schools, Miss MI. A. Clark (Mrs. B. P. Cardwell) was the first teacher. The pioneer educational institution was the old Portland Academy and Female Seminary, established by Rev. J. H. Wilbur as a seat of learning under the control of the Methodist church.
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