USA > Oregon > The Oregon native son, 1900-1901 > Part 63
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WILLIAM H. WEHRUNG.
Senator Wehrung was born in Washing- ton county, Oregon, March 22, 1861, his par- ents being Henry and Mary C. (Emerick) Wehrung. The former came to the state in 1850, and the lattetr in 1847. The early youth of our subject was passed on his father's farm which adjoins Hillsboro. and acquired his education in the public schools of that place. He learned the cabinet- makers' trade, and from 1879 to 1882 fol- lowed that avocation. For several years prior to this latter date his father con- ducted a furniture store, making in the earlier years the greater portion of the fur- niture, but at this time he engaged in the mercantile trade, taking William H. into partnership with him. Subsequently, an- other son, Gus, was admitted to the firm, which is now known by the name of H. Wehrung & Sons, and is the largest mer- cantile concern in Washington county. In 1898 our subject was appointed a member of the state board of agriculture for a term of three years, and was elected president thereof, and at the expiration of the term he was re-elected by the board to succeed himself. He is also a member of the state horticultural society and other institutions of like tenor. Politically he is a democrat. He was elected senator on the union ticket in Junue, 1900. Washington county usu- ally goes republican. He was married June 25, 1885, to Miss Mary Boscow, also born in Washington county, her parents being Peter and Rebecca Boscow. They have two daughters.
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WINLOCK W. STEIWER.
Senator Steiwer is a native son of this state. He was born on a farm situate in Marion county. August 7, 1852. His father, Frederick Steiwer, came to Oregon with the emigration of 1852. His mother, prior to her marriage with his father, was a Miss Susan Looney, who came across the plains in 1843 with her parents, Jesse and Ruby Looney. Our subject obtained the rudiments of his education in the common schools near his home, then attending Wil- lamette University. Finishing his course of study in 1871, he went to Eastern Ore- gon and engaged in stock-raising, with great success. Selling out his interests in the herds he owned, he located at Fossil, Gil- liam county, where he began merchandis- ing on an extensive scale, a business he is now conducting. He was wedded to Miss Annie J. Hoover. July 14, 1886. She was the daughter of Thos. B. and Mary J. Hoover. pioneers of the early fifties. They have two sons and three daughters. The senator has served as county commissioner and county judge of Gilliam county; was senator during the sessions of 1893 and 1895. representing the counties of Gilliam, Sherman and Wasco. and re-elected in 1898 as joint senator for the counties of Gil- liam, Grant, Sherman, Wasco and Wheeler.
ALEXANDER SWEEK
First saw the light of day at Bridgeport, Washington county, Oregon, on August 6, 1861, his parents being John and Maria Sweek, pioneers of 1852. He secured his education at Pacific University, Forest Grove. In 1885 he concluded to fit himself for the bar, and came to Portland to study. He was admitted in October, 1889, and at once entered upon the practice of his pro- fession. In 1896 he was elected municipal judge of Portland. in which office he served one term. In June. 1900. he was elected joint senator from the counties of Multno- mah, Washington and Columbia. The judge being a democrat. and the coun- ties named, as well as the city of Portland, being very largely republican, attests his popularity therein. At the present time he is unmarried. He is a member of Aber- nethy's Cabin, Native Sons of Oregon, the Red Men, Elks and Knights of Pythias.
JUSTUS WADE
Was born in Mononghehala county, Vir- ginia. September 27, 1843. and came west to Wayne county, Iowa. with his parents in 1852, living there until 1864, when he came to Oregon in an immigrant mule train, com- ing up through Nevada and settling in the Grand Ronde valley. He returned to Iowa in 1867. where he farmed until 1874, when he came back to the Grand Ronde valley, where he cast anchor permanently. He en-
gaged in farming and stock-raising until twelve years ago, when he went into mer- chandising at Summerville, and has con- tinued in that line up to the present. Mr. Wade was nominated as a populist for joint senator in 1896 from Union and Wallowa counties, and was elected, serving during the session of 1897, the special of 1898 and that of 1899. In 1900 he was elected sen- ator from Union county on the democratic- peoples ticket for another term of four years. He was united in marriage March 12, 1868, with Miss Mary E. Conner. They have four children-three daughters and one son.
JOHN N. WILLIAMSON
Representing the counties of Crook, Klamath, Lake and Wasco, as joint senator, is a native Oregonian. He was born in Lane county, November 8, 1855, his parents being Joseph and Minerva Williamson, pio- neers of 1853. In 1864 his parents moved to Salem, remaining there until 1876, their son in the meantime attending the Willam- ette University. In the latter year a re- moval was made to Eastern Oregon, the new home being Prineville. Here Senator Williamson has been connected with jour- nalism and has served as sheriff of his county. He was elected represenative from Crook county in 1888 and again in 1898. and joint senator of the counties above named in 1900. He is a republican. His wife was a Miss Sarah V. Forest, who was born in Polk county June 10, 1858. Her father, Moses Forest, had crossed the plains with his family some few years previously. Their family consists of three daughters.
E. D. BRIGGS,
Republican joint representative for Doug- las and Jackson counties, was born at Frank- linton, N. Y., July 19, 1854. His life up to the age of seventeen was passed on a farm. At that time he began teaching school, then entered cook academy, at Ha- vana, N. Y., where he completed his course. He was elected principal of the Havana Union school in 1895, and while thus em- ployed studied law. He then removed to Cobbleskill, N. Y., where he continued his legal studies until the spring of 1878. when he removed to Minnesota. In 1890 he came to Oregon, locating in Ashland, where he now resides, practicing his profession. He was elected to the house of representatives on the republican ticket.
JACOB CLEM.
This genteleman was born in Indiana, December 2, 1841. He was raised on a farm and acquired nis education in the public schools near his home. In 1865 he went to Missouri, engaging in various occupations until 1856 when he removed
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to Oregon, locating in Linn county. Here he gives attention to farming and fine stock raising. He was raised a democrat; was a leader of the farmer's alliance move- ment and then became a populist. He was elected senator from Linn county on the fusion ticket as a people's party man, in 1898, for the term of four years. He was married November 24, 1879, to Miss Mi- nerva J. Grove, while living in Missouri.
WILLIAM A. CARTER,
Representative from Jackson county, was born in Tennessee in 1874. At the age of 15 years he moved with his parents to Wil- low Springs, Mo., and two years later grad- uated from the Willow Springs high school. In 1893 he came to Oregon, with his parents, and has since resided at Gold Hill. Ambi- tious to follow the law, he pursued his studies at night after his day's labor was done, engaging in mining as a means of livelihood, from 1893 to 1896. He continued his studies for four years while serving as city recorder of Gold Hill, until 1899, when, . at the age of 25, he was admitted to the bar. Mr. Carter is a republican.
GEORGE H. CATTANACH.
Representative Cattanach is a native of Iowa, having been born in Charles City, in that state, October 24, 1866. At the age of ten years he came to Oregon with his par- ents, who located in the John Day valley, Eastern Oregon. He acquired his education in the public schools, and on arriving at an age when it is time for a young man to start out in life on his own responsibilities. he chose the legal profession for an avocation. He went to Canyon City and studied law with Charles W. Parrish, the son of Rev. J. L. Parrish, the well-known missionary of 1840, and was admitted to the bar in 1894. He immediately began practicing his pro- fession. The law firm he is connected with being that of Cattanach & Wood.
Politically he is a republican, and as such represents the counties of Gilliam. Grant, Sherman, Wasco and Wheeler in. the lower branch of the legislature. This is his first term but indications would point to further honors being bestowed upon him.
On April 26. 1900, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Anna Metchen, daughter of Phil Metchen, ex-state treasurer of Ore- gon from 1890 to 1899. Mrs. Cattanach is of Oregon birth, Canyon City being the place of her nativity.
GEORGE W. COLVIG.
The able representative from Josephine county, is of pioneer parentage. He was born in Parksville. Missouri, November 12, 1848, and at the age of two. crossed the plains with his parents, Dr. Wm. and Helen M. Colvig. both of whom are now
deceased. The winter of 1851 was passed in Portland and the following spring the family removed to Douglas county. Mr. Colvig received his education in the public schools, ex-Congressman Rufus Mallory and Binger Herman being among his teachers. Upon attaining his majority he followed telegraphy, and a portion of the time was also agent of the Southern Pacific Rail- road, serving the latter as train dispatcher and agent at the front during the con- struction of the road from Myrtle Creek to Glendale, and subsequently as agent and operator at Riddle. He took up the study of law and was admitted to the bar in 1890. For a time he was located in Jack- sonville, then Roseburg, and then removed to Grants Pass, where he continues to prac- tice his profession. During his stay in Douglas county, its citizens elected him sen- ator from that county in 1876 and in 1882, two successive terms. He was elected to his present position in 1900. He has also served as state railroad commissioner for the term of four years. His wife was for- merly a Miss Mary Dyer daughter of Jef- ferson and Jane Dyer, who crossed the plains in 1860.
ALGERON S. DRESSER.
Born at Blue Hill, Maine, February 10. 1858, and was educated in the public schools. and at the Weslyan Seminary of that city. He studied law at Elswortn, in the same state, and was admitted to the bar in 1885. He then came to Oregon, locating at Rainier where he remained for two years and then removed to Oregon City where he has since resided. Mr. Dresser is one of the orators of the house. He was elected thereto in 1900 on the republican ticket as joint rep- resentative from Clackamas and Multno- mah counties.
B. L. EDDY.
Joint representative for the counties of Tillamook and Yamhill, was born in Wash- ington county, Oregon, October 30, 1865, his parents being Seth W. and Mary Eddy, pioneers of 1852. He was educated at the public schools, and upon starting out for himself followed telegraphy and short hand in various places on the coast until 1886, when he became private secretary to a division superintendent of the N. P. R. R. After a couple of years at such work, he learned bookkeeping and entered the office of the Oregon Pacific R. R., becoming soon after chief clerk thereof. His next em- ployment was in the office of the late Si- meon G. Reed, then one of Portland's lead- ing capitalists, and in 1981 became secre- tary of the Bunker Hill & Sullivan Min- ing Company, which Mr. Reed had organ- ized. The interests being sold to others, and the management passing into the hands of John Hays Hammond, the well-known
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mining engineer, Mr. Eady went with him to California, where he had charge of the general office of the company until 1893. . In 1891 he studied law as his leisure. moments would perniit, and his
return to Oregon in 1893 he devoted
his time wholly to its study. He entered the law department of the Uni- versity of Oregon from which he graduated and was admitted to the war in 1894. In 1896 he located in Tillamook City, where he has since practiced his profession. He was mayor of that city for two terms; a member of the school board for four years, and was deputy district attorney for the
county. He is a republican, and was by that party elected to the legislature in 1900. He received a considerable number of complimentary ballots for U. S. senator during the session just closed. His wife was a Miss Laura Applewhite, a native of Virginia. They have three children, two daughters and one son.
IRWIN S. GEER
Is a native son. He was born on a farm situate near Silverton, Marion county, Feb- ruary 28, 1864. his parents being Calvin and Ellen S. (Leonard) Geer. The former of whom came across the plains in 1847 and the latter in 1852. He attended the public schools near his home and aftrwards the Portland Business College, graduating from the latter institution. He moved to Burns, Oregon, in 1890, and established him- self in the hardware business, a business he is still engaged in. Besides giving his attention to such occupation, he is also interested in sawmilling and other pur- suits. He was county treasurer of Harney county two terms, 1892 to 1896, and for two terms was city treasurer of Burns. He received the nomination for joint rep- resentative from the republicans, and in spite of the fact that there was an inde- pendent repoublican in the field and that Harney county was the stronghold of the democrats, he carried the district and his own county by a handsome majority. He is a second cousin of Governor Geer and Representative Kruse. Mr. Geer and Miss Bele Erb were married at Silverton in 1899.
WILLIAM E. GRACE.
A native of Missouri, having been born In Jasper county, in that state, February 9, 1856. Besides getting a public school ed- ucation, he attended the Rolla School of Mines and Hetallurgy, at Rolla, Missouri. At the age of 20 he entered a drug store as an apprentice, and later on graduated at the Chicago College of Pharmacy. Moved to Oregon in 1880, and for a time was located at Oregon City, and then
went to Prineville. In 1883 he made a complete transcript of the Wasco county records, of all records affecting the real- ty of the new county of Crook, which had been cut off from Wasco in 1881. In 1881 he opened a drug store at Burns, Harney county, which was then a portion of Grant county. In 1889, at the formation of Har- ney county, he was appointed county clerk, and at the succeeding election, in 1891, was elected to the same office. In 1893 he removed to Baker City, engaging in the drug business. In 1899 he also es- tablished a hardware enterprise, the larg- est in that section of the state. In 1898 he was elected representative from Baker county, and attended the special session of that year; the session of 1899, and was re-elected in 1900 to the same position. Mr. Grace is a member of all the high degrees of Masonry, and is at present Deputy Grand Master of the order in the state.
JOHN HAHN
Was born at Hesse-Cassel, Germany, April 21, 1846. At the age of 14 he came to the United States, remaining in New York until 1866 when he enlisted in the Fourth U. S. artillery and served eight years fight- ing Indians in the south and west. In 1875 he came to Oregon, settling in As- toria where he has since resided. For a time he was employed on the tugs ope- rating on the Columbia bar and then built and operated a brewery, and gave up such avocation because he did not like the call- ing. He then turned nis attention to the shoe business and has since been carrying on that line of merchandsing and with success. He served as a councilman of Astoria from 1877 to 1880. when he was elected mayor of the city. In 1888 he was elected by the republicans to the lower house of the legislature, and in June, 1900, he was re-elected, this time on the citi- zen's ticket.
ROBERT D. HUME.
Mr. Hume was born in Augusta, Maine, October 31, 1845. He acquired his educa- tion in the public schools, but since leav- ing them, has continued to be a close reader ever since, and he is undoubtedly one of the best informed men on all topics on the Pacific coast. At the age of 21 he came to California, where he remained for two years and then came to Oregon. For a short time he was in business in Portland, withdrawing to engage in the salnion can- ning business on the lower Columbia. He located at Eagle Cliff, and in 1868, with his brother, G. W. Hume and Cutting & Co., built and operated a cannery there. This was sold to Cutting & Co. the follow- ing year. when he and J. W. Cook bought
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the cannery of Hapgood & Co., at Eureka, which they conducted until 1870, when they sold out. In 1872 he leased a cannery at Cathlamet, which he operated with good success. In 1873 he built a cannery at Bay View. In 1874, with partners, erected another at Rainier, and in 1875 erected one at Astoria. In 1876 he sold out his interests on the Columbia and went to Rogue river, where he began operating in the same line of trade on a large scale, an industry which he is still engaged in. He is also possessed of other interests in the same section, but gives salmon canning his chief attention. He was married in 1868 to Miss Celia Bryant, a native daughter of Oregon, whose parents were among our earlier pioneers. She died in 1876. A son and daughter born to this union are also deceased. He was married secondly to Miss May Duncan, in 1878, a native daughter of New Zealand. They have no children. Politically he is a republican, and was elected by that party joint representative from Coos and Curry counties in 1900.
CHARLES D. HARTMAN.
Representative Charles D. Hartman was born born on a farm near Silverton, Marion county, Oregon, November 23, 1863, his par- ents being John and Mary J. Hartman, who crossed the plains to the state in 1852. He was educated in the public schools, in the meantime assisting his father on the farm. For the past fifteen years he has been farming on his own account, the location of his farm being near Scott's Mills. Besides raising cereals, gives at- tention to hop-growing and fine stock in- terests. He was united in marriage June 13, 1895, with Miss Josephine Cobb, the fruits of the union being one child-a son. Politically he is a republican, by which party he was elected a representative in 1900. He has been a very active member of the house, much to the benefit of his con- stituents and the state. Marion county would do well by returning him to the legislative halls of Oregon at succeeding elections. .
GEORGE L. HAWKINS.
Mr. Hawkins was born in Buckhannon, West Virginia, November 2, 1859. After receiving a common school education he taught school for a time and then learned the stone cutters' trade. He then estab- lished monumental works at Sutton in that state, which he conducted until 1885. when he removed to Texas, where he was en- gaged in the same business. In 1889 he went to Salt Lake where he established him- self. but sold out to remove to Oregon in 1893. He here settled at Independence where he has continued his residence to the present, being the proprietor of the
marbel and monumental works in that place. He was married first to miss Birdie Boy- gess, of West Virginia. She died in 1885. One child, a son, was born to this union. He married secondly, Miss Rachel Tuck, a native of Missouri. They have one son. Mr. Hawkins is a republican and by that party was elected representative in 1900.
GILBERT L. HEDGES.
Gilbert Lawrence Hedges was born in Canema, Oregon, January 19, 1874, nis par- ents being Joseph and Elen J. (Allen) Hedges, the former of whom crossed the plains in 1852, and the latter in 1850. When 15 years of age his parents sent him to Andover, Massachusetts, to attend Phillips Academy. He remained there for three years, completing the prescribed course of study and graduating in 1892. In the fall of this year he entered Yale University, and four years later was graduated from that institution, receiving his B. A. degree in June, 1896. Desiring to prepare for the practice of law, he decided to enter the law department of the University. Com- pleting the law course in two years, Mr. Hedges returned to Oregon. For a time he was with Hedges & Griffith, a well- known law firm of Oregon City, and after- wards opened offices of his own. The clean and bright career of young Hedges has forced him to the front, both legally and politically. In April, 1900, he was made the choice of the Union party to repre- sent Clackamas county at the state capi- tal, and the following June he was elected with a handsome majority, being the only successful candidate of his party for the legislature. He is building up a splendid law practice, and the future holds much in store for him.
FRANK A HEITKEMPER.
Representative Heitkemper was born in Springfield, Ohio, January 8, 1871, his par- ents being Gerhard and Mary Heitkemper. Soon after his birth the family removed to Iowa and then to Nebraska, and in 1889 to Oregon. In the public schools of the two latter states our subject acquired his education. He chose for a life calling that of a watchmaker and jeweler, a business his father had long been engaged in as a manufacturer and dealer. For some years he was employed in the establishment of his father, but when it was incorporated as The G. Heitkemper Co., became interested therein as a stockholder and officer. This firm is one of the leaders in its une of business in the Pacific northwest, and Port- land can well point to it with pride. Mr. Heitkemper cnose a native daughter of the state for a bride, she being Miss Maud M., daughter of James J. and Mary C. Allard, the former of whom came to Oregon in
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1852, and the latter in 1864, both of them crossing the plains. They have one child, a son. Mr. Heitkemper is a democrat, but was elected representative from Multno- mah county on the citizens ticket at the election of June, 1900.
GEORGE W. HOLCOMB,
One of Multnomah county's representatives, was born in Connecticut. At the age of 12 he came with his parents to Oregon, who settled in Clackamas county near Oregon City. His father began fruit raising, our subject assisting him in clearing up land for that purpose until reaching his majority, when, in 1889, he accepted a position with the Oregon Packing Co., canners of fruit, etc. He afterwards became president of this company, a position he now occupies, and its success is largely due to his man- agement of its affairs, as it is now the larg- est establishment of its character in the Pacific northwest, and its output is known far and wide. Mr. Holcomb is also inter- ested in mining and other enterprises. He left school when only 12 years of age, but being of a studious nature and desir- ing to be well informed, kept up his studies until he became well educated. Politically he is a democrat. He was elected repre- sentative in June. 1900. His wife was born in Oregon, her folks being pioneers. They have one son.
THOMAS J. KIRK,
Republican representative from Umatilla county, was born in Platt county, Missouri, August 12, 1839, and came across the plains with his parents, Alexander and Sarah Kirk, in 1846. This was the first emigration to come into the Willamette valley by the Barlow road across the Cascades. The family settled in Linn county, and in the old log school houses of that early day our subject secured his education. One of his teachers was Rev. H. H. Spalding. a mis- sionary to Oregon of 1836. While living here the Rogue River Indian war broke out and Mr. Kirk's father enlisted in a volun- teer company and participated in many en- gagements with the foe, quitting the scene of hostilities only when peace was assured. In 1871 Mr. Kirk removed to Umatilla county where he has since made his home. Since going there he has given his atten- tion to farming and stock raising, and is one of the most extensive land proprietors in the state. He is also director of the bank at Athena. His home is not far from the Indian reserve located in that county, and he became well acquainted with the gov- ernment wards thereon, among these lived the celebrated Homily, chief of the Uma- tillas, who held Mr. Kirk in highest es- teem. Upon the breaking out of the Indian uprising of 1878. Homily warned him of its coming, a thing that an Indian don't usually
do unless they fully trust a white man. While he was not molested, the warning proved valuable to Mr. Kirk. Politically he is a republican. He was elected repre- sentative from Umatilla county in 1888 and again in 1900. He was married Octo- ber 21, 1860, to Miss Anna Coyle, daughter of James and Maria Coyle, pioneers of 1851. They have three children living, all of whom are daughters.
HENRY KEENE.
Mr. Keene was born in Saxony, Ger- many, December 13, 1830. When a young man he came to the United States settling first in New York. From there he removed to Minnesota, where he remained until 1870, when he came to Oregon. He made Salem his home for a short time, and then bought a half-section of land in the famous Waldo Hills, upon which he lived unul 1900, when he removed to Stayton. He is possessed of a comfortable fortune. He is regarded as one of the most substantial citizens of the state, being liberal minded, progressive and reliable. He was school director of district No. 80 for 22 years. He is a republican and by such party was elect- ed representative from marion county in 1900. His wife is also a native of Germany, born in Wittenburg, February 25, 1840. The marriage took place in New York. They have been blessed with thirteen children, eight of whom are now alive.
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