USA > Oregon > The Oregon native son, 1900-1901 > Part 50
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G. W. CARVER.
SHEMATIC EMMIGRATION TO THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST.
The Pacific Northwest had been known to the world, from the time of its discovery up to 1849, through expedi- tions thereto by both sea and land, and by emigration of pioneers. But, up to the latter date none of the descendents of Shem had ever come, so far as known, within the borders of the vast territory which it comprised.
The first of the race to put in an ap- pearance were a couple of merchants, Goldsmith & May, in the fall of 1849. They conducted a general merchandise store in Portland for about two years. when they sold out and removed to San Francisco.
In 1850 J. Kohen opened a store in Portland, and the firm of Dusenberry & Mitchell began merchandising in Ore- gon City. Soon afterwards Haas Bros. began business in Portland. A short time after their advent, some brothers by the name of Weil arrived, but did not permanently locate anywhere, occupying themselves with peddling from town to town. They were the first peddlers in the Pacific Northwest.
The next arrivals weie the brothers, J. and S. Blumauer, the former reaching here in May, 1851, and the latter in Sep- tember of the same year. The first Jew- ish lady to come was Mrs. Weinshank, the wife of a Portland merchant of that name. She arrived in 1854. The second was Mrs. S. Blumauer, recently deceas- ed. Her eldest children, Louis, the
senior partner of the Blumauer-Frank Drug Co., and Mrs. May, were the first children born of Jewish parents in the Pacific Northwest.
The first marriage ceremony perform- ed, both the contracting parties being Jews, was that of Mr. and Mrs. S. Rosen- blatt. This was in February. 1859. To this couple was born the first child (a son, now deceased), born to Jewish par- ents who were married in the Pacific Northwest. L. Bettman was the first of the Jewish race to settle north of the Co- lumbia river. He located at Olympia. Washington, and conducted a store there for many years.
In later years numbers of others came. Many of them are quite wealthy and are identified with some of the leading en- terprises, on the coast. Some of them have received high honors at the hands of their fellow citizens. Among them being Hon. Sol Hirsch, ex-minister to Turkey, and Joseph Simon, at present a United States senator from Oregon.
The first Jewish congregation in the Pacific Northwest was organized in 1858 in Portland, Rev. S. M. Laski being chosen reader. The first meetings were held in Burke's Hall. In the fall of 1861 a building was erected on Fifth and Oak streets, which was given the name of Beth Israel. Rev. H. Bories was chosen minister of the congregation, remaining thus employed until 1863. when Rev. Dr. Julius Eckman was elected rabbi. the first in the Pacific Northwest.
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OREGON HISTORICAL SOCIETY
GEO. H. HIMES, ASSISTANT SECRETARY:
The list of pupils attending the old M. Wiberg. This should have read Miss Portland Accademy, as submitted by P. Ingraham, also a student, whose name was omitted. Mr. James F. Failing, contained many more names than those appearing in the November number of this magazine. The sheets upon which these names were listed, were in some manner inadvertent- ly misplaced and the omission was not discovered .until too late to rectify the mistake. They are as follows :
In my article published in the last issue of the Native Son, I stated that Rev. C. S. Kingsley was principal from the commencement of the school until 1859. In the same issue there appears a communication from Mr. J. F. Failing. stating that Rev. Mr. Buchanan was principal from 1851 to 1853. The ex- planation of this is found in a letter from Mr. Buchanan, to whom I wrote con- cerning the matter :
Davis, Miss Crdelia ( Mrs. William Baden) ; Davis, Miss Sarah, ( Mrs. Mar- shall) ; Davis, Miss Mary; Dierdorff, James D .; Dobbins, Admire T .; Dob- bins, Miss Mary Miranda; Dobbins, Thomas W .; Dobbins, Miss Sally, ( Mrs. BERKLEY, Nov. 30, 1900. J. C. Moreland, Esq., Portland, Ore .-. . Geo. T. Myers) ; Dray, Miss Letitia ; Dray, Henry C .; Dray, James; Dur- DEAR SIR: As the school was organ- ized before my arrival in Portland, in all probability Mr. Kingsley was the first principal-though I think he was to hold it only till my arrival. Upon my ar- rival in the spring of 1852, I assumed the principalship of the school, to which position I had been appointed by the Missionary Board in New York. Mv health failing in the spring of 1853, Mr. Kingsley was appointed to take the place as principal. liam, George H .; Egar, Emily, (Mrs. Robert Porter) ; Eggleston, Edward Os- car; Failing, Edward; Failing, James F .; Fales, Arthur; Fales, Frank; Fra- zer, Miss Jerusha, (Mrs. W. N. Gis- wold) ; Frazer, Miss Roza F .. ( Mrs. M. S. Burrell) ; Gill, Miss Mary ; Gill, Miss Susan, (Mrs. Whitwell) ; Gray, A. J .; Gray, Benj .; Gray, J. Worth; Gray, Miss Priscilla M., (Mrs. Wm. A. Da- ly) ; Gray, Erastus; Gray, Miss Sarah A .; Griswold, Charles; Griswold. Miss Very truly yours, Eugenia; Griswold, Miss Christina ; P. G. BUCHANAN. Greer, Miss Rebecca, (Mrs. -- ) ; Because of their not being in the rec- ords, I omitted to give the names of two graduates of the school in 1873. They were Misses Carrie Caples and Mary DeVore. Miss Caples is the wife of our townsman, Dr. W. H. Saylor, one of Portland's most eminent physicians, and is herself prominent in church work. Miss De Vore married a Mr. Edwards. and lives in the state of Washington. Hall, Seth; Hamilton, Alexander ; Ham- ilton, Thomas ; Hartness, Adelia., (Mrs. S. S. Douglas) ; Hartness, Charles ; Hartness, George : Hartness, Thomas M .; Hart, Charlotte ; Harlow, Chester : Har- low, Dora, ( Mrs. J. H. Kibling) : Har- low, John; Harris, Stephen; Hawkins, Charles : Hawkins, Mary; Holman, Alice F. ; Holman, Frances A .; Hoyt, Richar, Jr .; Holmes, Alice J., (Mrs. J. M. Strowbridge) : Holmes, Mary Ann, (Mrs. H. C. Coulsen) ; Howe, . apologize, and hope it will be a long Robert : Holmes. Thomas J., Jr.
In the November number it reads that Miss Louisa Ingraham became Mrs. C.
I also stated by some mistake that Miss Helen Burton was dead. For this I time before this can be truthfully writ- te11.
T. C. MORELAND.
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NESIKA WA-WA.
Volume VII of the Western Series of Readers, written by Mrs. Eva Emery Dye, has been received by the Native Son, and we are of the opinion that it is one or the class of text-books that should be placed in our schools, public as well as private, for it is beyond question one of the most interesting and valuable works, as a history of the Pacific northwest, that was ever written. It is a kind of literature the study of which should be encouraged, and it is to be hoped that students may be permitted to avail them- selves of doing so, by its selection as a school reader. The style is pure and simple, yet animated; there is wealth of historical and biographical data ; there is dramatic spirit in many of the sketches, and somehow in a manner really wonderful the author has contrived to give freshness and vivacity to facts and incidents which hitherto we have been accustomed to see written only with dry-as-dust labor. But this charm- ing little book is not a novel. It can be depended on for its facts and dates, and it has many of them : with many a pleasant thing moreover that lies in the early history of Oregon.
Organization of the auxiliary society to be known as the Sons and Daughters of the Indian war veterans of the North Pacific Coast, which was proposed at the late meeting of the camp of Indian War Veterans, has taken shape, and the preliminary work has been commenced.
The society promises to become one of the most interesting organizations in the Pacific Northwest, and will, no doubt, be productive of much social pleasure and profit to members.
The constitution provides that all sons and daughters of men who fought in the Indian wars prior to 1860 may become members of the society. Its jurisdiction will extend over all old Oregon Terri- tory, the present Oregon, Idaho, Wash- ington, and Montana. The society will,
among other things, preserve annals of Indian battles in which the pioneers took part and act as an auxiliary to the Vet- eran's Association.
Judge W. H. Parker has just finished his Ready Reference Index to the Ore- gon Reports which has been so much needed by attorneys. Contracts for the publication have been let and it will soon be ready for delivery to those wanting such a valuable work. A key to the Ore- gon Laws, published by the judge last spring, has reached its second addition and the demand for it still keeps up as great as ever. The judge is a pioneer of 1852, a lawver of many years promi- nence, and through his long connection with judicial matters incident to Oregon, knows what he is writing about, and those acquainted with his career testify to his ability by their readiness in becom- ing possessors of his books.
Mr. W. G. Steel has some two thous- and photo negatives of pioneers to Port- land and the Pacific northwest in general, which should be secured to the Oregon Historical Society, as they were valuable from a historical standpoint. We trust that it will take steps to get possession of them.
Carrie Blake Morgan, the author of a new book of poems, "The Path of Gold," was born in Indianapolis, but "crossed the plains" with her parents while a child, and has lived nearly all her life in Ore- gon.
Mrs. Morgan has for a number of years heen a contributor of both prose and verse to Lippincott's, Youth's Companion, McClure's, Overland, Leslie's Weekly, and others.
"The Path of Gold" is her first book. It is dedicated to her sister, Mrs. Ella Higginson. It is published by Edson & Irish, New Whatcom, Wash. Price, 50 cents.
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BIOGRAPHICAL.
The Wiley B. Allen Company, so long the leading dealers in music and musical instruments in Portland, have announced that removal of their headquarters will be made to San Francisco in the near fu- ture. This change will not be of benefit to Portland, nor to the country adjacent thereto dependent upon it for that class of supplies. The firm has been estab- lished so long, and has kept in stock such a complete line of musical instru- ments and publications, that its removal
will be a great sourse of regret. Since their announcement giving notice of re- moval appeared, their place of business has been crowded with dealers, teachers and the general public, intent upon se- curing at the cost prices offered. the many articles carried by the firm. Those looking for bargains should avail them- selves of the opportunity the present presents, and make their purchases be- fore others get ahead of them. The number is 209-211 First street.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
REV. GEORGE H. ATKINSON, D. D.
Born in Newburyport, Mass .. May 10, 1819, and went to Newbury, Vermont, in 1830. Spent the years in alternate farm work and teaching until 1839, when he en- tered Dartmouth College, graduating there- from 1843, spending a portion of each year in teaching to defray college ex- penses. Spent three years in Andover Theological Seminary, graduating in 1846. Was appointed to missionary work in
his
South Africa, but destination was changed to Oregon, for which he embarked in 1847, and arrived at Oregon City in July, 1848. At the Falls City he was pastor of the Congregational church for fifteen years, securing meanwhile the erection of its house of worship and also the Clacka- .mas female seminary. He was instru- mental in the founding of the Pacific Uni- versity at Forest Grove, and obtained en- dowments aggregating a large amount for its support.
The doctor brought with him from the East in 1848 some $2,000 worth of school books, articles much needed here at that time. He began at once to agitate the subject of education, and through his earnest work, the public school system was established by the teritorial legisla- ture in 1849. He was school superintend- ent of Clackamas county, and held the same position in Multnomah county two terms, rendering efficient service in the building up of the excellent public schools now in Portland. In 1863 he removed to Portland. Here he was pastor of the Con- gregational church for nine years. In 1872 he gave up his pastorate, accepting the superintendency of the Home Missions for Oregon and Washington. This work he laid down with his life.
He was married in 1846 to Miss Nancy Bates, of Springfield. Vermont. The union was blessed with six children. three only of whom lived to maturity. These being
Dr. George H. Atkinson, a prominent physi- cian of Brooklyn, New York, who died December 27, 1884, at the age of thirty-five years, in the midst of a useful and brilliant career; Anna S., who became the wife of Frank M. Warren, one of the leading sal- mon packers and cannery owners in the Pacific Northwest, and Edward M., a law- yer of New York. The doctor departed this life February 25. 1889, regretted and mourned far and wide. With him. his wife was closely identified in his work, and Wey succeeded in carving a place in the history of Oregon that few have attained. Mrs. Atkinson, whose loving life will al- ways be a pleasant memory to her de- scendants and numerous friends, followed her husband to life everlasting on Decem- ber 1, 1895.
During his residence in Oregon Dr. At- kinson contributed much useful matter to the Eastern press descriptive of the Pa- cific Northwest, more especially of Oregon, of its resources and great advantages, and, during his frequent trips to the East. de- livered many lectures upon the same sub- ject. Upon its welfare, industrial and re- ligious, and upon the public school sys- tem, he left an impress for good that can never be effaced and will ever be one of the brightest pages of its history.
JAMES B. STEPHENS.
Was born in 1806 in Virginia, and re- moved to Indiana when but a boy of eight. and came still farther west to Illinois in 1832. In 1830 he maried Miss Elizabeth Walker, of Ohio. and passed on to Misouri, and in 1843 made preparations to come to Oregon. Failing, however, to reach the rendezvous in time. the journey was post- poned until the next year. Crossing the plains in .844, and reached Oregon City as late as December 24th.
The year following he bought a squat- ter's right to the site of East Portland,
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which was held by Dr. McLoughlin as ad- ministrator of one Porier, a Frenchman. Living there and working at cooperage for the Hudson's Bay Company, Mr. Steph- ens availed himself of the donation land law to secure his claim. As early as 1846 ne established a ferry between East and West Portland, using a simple flatboat pro- pelled wth oars, and with this passed the few horsemen and ocasional teams that traveled in those days to and fro. In that year he also laid out the city of East Port- land
In 1848 he tried his luck in California. Projecting a large business plan, he bought a site for a bridge across the American .. river. This valuable property was washed away the next winter at a loss estimated at not less than $20,000. Mr. Stephens was himself in Oregon at the time and sold the bridge site for $5,000. The next sum- mer, with James Terwilliger, he hewed out on his own place a quantity of square timbers, which he shipped to California, selling them upon his arrival at a good price to a pioneer well known in Oregon, Barton Lee, then in California. Stephens, ar- riving with his timbers, was to receive his payment immediately. But that happened to be the day of the squaters' riot; and all business was closed. Lee's creditors, tak- ing advantage of this, closed upon him; and he disapeared with what gold dust he had about him. The creditors took a keg of gold dust, and everything else. Stephens thereby lost his pay, which amounted to $16,000.
Returning to his Oregon home, he de- voted himself to his ferry, building a new boat, the iron work of which cost him 50 cents a pound. With William Frush as manager, he conducted the business for a number of years, making it quite remun- erative. During the war of 1855-56 he transported soldiers. munitions, and fur- nished feed for horses, etc., receiving for the work government scrip, which was not redeemed until after the outbreak of the war of the rebellion, and then in depre- ciated currency. Despite these losses, he kept his ferry in successful operation u- til 1865, and in that year he disposed of the property to Joseph Knott.
In the sixties he was so unfortunate as to embank in the banking business with his son-in-law, Doctor A. M. Loryea; and his whole estate became involved. Fail- ing to meet the mortgage, he lost a large portion of his land. The entire indebted- ness not being met by this sacrifice, he was induced to take a deed of trust for the remainder of his property to provide against actual want.
This movement was ill-advised; and it was by a hair's breadth that he retained any of his original estate. A portion of it, however, was preserved, and, owing to the
great rise in value, is now worth hun- dreds of thousands of dollars. Despite the losses which have clouded his life, Mr. Stephens was never suffered to want; and. more than all, though betrayed more than once by seeming friends, he still retained his cheerful and benevolent disposition. He had no words of complaint nor censure: and his heart was warm towards all to the last.
His wife departed this life in 1887. He himself made all preparations which he deemed necesary for folowing her, having made, in his mind, disposition of his prop- erty and prepared a monument for the grave of both his wife and himself. It was this calm waiting for his last sleep and for the life of the other world which made his old age serene, and relieved it of the somber colors into which it other- wise might have been cast. He died in March, 1880.
Mrs. Stephens was one of those pioneer mothers whose memory will never be for- gotten; so good, so noble, so kind and hospitable. The home of herself and hus- band ever had the "latch string" on the outside of the door, inviting all to enter and be made welcome at their fireside and table. To them was born seven children, all of whom are now deceased, and but three reached the age of maturity. Their favorite grandchild was Miss Rosa Sexton, now Mrs. Wallace, to whom they left the old homestead.
SARAH FAIRBANKS KING.
The annals of Oregon women, who per- formed the hard duties incident to pioneer life faithfully, patiently and well, contain no name more justly honored, or more tenderly cherished, than that of Sarah Fairbanks King.
Mrs. King was a native of New York. having been born in Potter, Cayuga county, October 12, 1834. While yet in her in- fancy, she was taken by her parents to Michigan, then scarecly more than an out- post of Western civlization. Here she grew to womanhood, developing traits of gentleness and devotion to duty that were the distinguishing characteristics of all of her after life.
She was married on the 1st of November. 1851, to Mr. George Olds, and with him in the following spring started for Oregon by the usual mode of conveyance in those days,-wagons drawn by oxen. The jour- ney occupied seven months; and her first daughter was given to her arms during the tiresome trip.
Arriving in Oregon in the late autumn. her husband located on a donation land claim near Middleton. Washington county; and there they lived for nine succeeding years, the pioneer home echoing the voices
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of children, and attesting daily the bless- ings that a loving and gentle woman can bring to a habitation in a comparative wilderness and amid the most primitive surroundings. She began life in Oregon where nearly all old-time immigrants did,- at the very foot of the ladder of worldly fortune. But, with a brave heart and cheerful temper, she faced the future cour- ageously, and moved right onward in the path of womanly, wifely, motherly duty to the conquest of that future. On the 12th of April, 1862, she was widowed by the sudden death of her husband, five children being the heritage of the marriage.
On Christmas day, 1863, she was married to Prof. Samuel W. King, and removed first to Marion and afterwards to Yamhill county, where her husband was engaged in teaching school, she being in this, as in all things else, his valued assistant. They sub- sequently removed to Portland, Oregon, where her husban was for many years the principal of one of the leading schools. Mrs. King died on the 19th of January, 1887. Prof. King and seven children survived her: Mrs. Helen Jolly, J. C. Olds, Wm. P. Olds, Mrs. Clara Summers, Mrs. Mary South- worth, Charles W. King and Ralph King. J. C. and Wm. P. Olds and Chas. W. King are largely interested in the well known firm of Olds & King, of Portland.
The record left by Mrs. King-whether enduring the hardships of a wearisome journey across the continent, encountering the privations incident to pioneer home- building, or battling with poverty; wheth- er in the school room in the capacity of teacher, or in a home of refinement enjoy- ing the fruition of her labors and the full mead of reward for her early toils-is one of uniform consecration to duty, of gen- tleness in her home and of devotion to its inmates. She erected a monument to her own memory worthy of the purest, the noblest and the best.
She died without warning. of heart dis- ease, her husband and sons returning to their home in the evening to find that the gentle presence that they had left there at noontime had forever departed. In a grave in one of the most beautiful loca- tions in Riverview Cemetery, three miles above Portland, was consigned all that was mortal of this loving wife, tender mother and gentle woman: and there. "after life's fitful fever, she sleeps well."
WILLIAM P. OLDS.
An Oregon boy who made his debut on this world's stage near Moore's Mill, Wash- ington county, January 20. 1857. His parents were George and Sarah Fairbanks Olds, pioneers of 1852.
On his arival at an age when he could attend school. the little log cabin school house near his home was entered, wherein
the rudiments of his education were learn- ed. On April 12, 1862, he was deprived of a father's care and support by reason of the sudden death of that parent. In De- cember, 1863, his widowed mother became the wife of Prof. S. W. King, and the fam- ily removed to Butteville, Marion county, where Mr. Olds continued schooling until 1869. At that date our subject became im- bued with the idea of self-support, and, though but 12 years of age, came to Port- land, and began the useful and honorable career so well known and creditable to him. His first employment was with the mercantile house of John Wilson, with whom he remained until the firm of Olds & King succeeded him in business in 1878.
Soon after his coming to Portland, the family also removed to the metropolis, Prof. King engaging in teaching in the public schools until 1878, when Mr. Olds and himself purchased the business of Mr. Wil- son, which was thereafter known as the firm of Olds & King until 1891, when Prof. King retired to follow a less laborious avocation. At this period the great em- porium they had established was incorpor- ated, the name not being changed, and at the present time is one of the leading de- partment stores on the Pacific coast; al- ways up to date in the various lines car- ried. and growing more widely known and popular every day. Since its organization, Mr. Olds has been its president, and upon his has devolved the task, and by
no means an easy one, of going East about four times each year to purchase the stock carried.
On May 19, 1880, Mr. Olds was united in marriage with Miss Lillian A. Cooke. They have no children. The parents of Mrs. Olds were Amos and Mary F. Cooke. old settlers of Yamhill county. The former came across the plains with the "Peoria party" in 1840, and her mother arrived with the emigration of 1852. Mrs. Cooke is a sister of Hon. H. W. Scott, editor of the Oregonian.
Success goes hand in hand with a spot- less character, integrity, business ability and urbanity. All of these are linked with the life of Mr. Olds in an enviable degree.
CHARLES W. KING.
In the journey through life we occa- sionaily meet a young man who has made a noticeable mark business circles. Among those listed in the higher ranks of those engaged in a mercantile line, may be mentioned the subject of this sketch, and it is with pride that this magazine can record . the fact that he is a native son of Oregon.
Mr. King first saw the light of day in the historic village of Butteville, Marion county. November 7. 1865. His parents were Prof. Samuel W. and Sarah Fair-
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banks King (formerly Mrs. George Olds). While his father is not a pioneer to Ore- gon, he nevertheless came here before it had emerged from a "settlement" period into an existence surrounded by railroad, telegraph, telephone, electric light and other modern conveniences, and is so well known as a prominent educator and mer- chant that it seems as if he came the plains across in the "Pullman" of the ear- ller settlers-a wagon drawn by oxen. Mrs. King, his mother, was related to the well known Fairbanks family so promi- nent in New England and other portions of the East. She came to Oregon with the emigration of 1852.
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