USA > Oregon > The Oregon native son, Vol. I > Part 15
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CAPT. ORRIN KELLOGG.
Captain Orrin Kellogg was born at St. Albans, Vt., in 1790., His ancestors were of Revolutionary stock. In 1811 he was married to Miss Margaret Miller, who died at Milwau- kie. Or., August 22, 1858. The fruits of the union were 12 Children, of whom' four are living, as follows: Captain Joseph, Elijah and Jason, in Portland, and Edward, near Medford, Or. In 1812 he removed to Canada; and. the war between Great Britain and the United States breaking out, he, as an Ameri- can, was not allowed to return until after hostilities had ceased. While thus detained, the eldest of his children. Joseph. was born. By action of congress, this child, in common with others in like circumstances, was still regarded as a native citizen of our nation. After the war he moved back and settled near where Lockport, N. Y .. now stands. but soon moved further west to the state of Ohio. and made a home on the Maume river. In 1847 he made up his mind to come to Oregon, and removed to St. Joseph, Mo .. to make ready for the trip. By May, 1848. all was ready and the journey began. After reach- ing some distance on the plains, he met Joe Meek, who was on his way East, and from him learned of the Whitman massacre and of the Cayuse war. This intelligence somewhat cohered him, and would have been the means of turning back many men. but. nothing daunted by it. he continued his journey. pre- naring. if necessary. to fight his way to his destined home. Fortunately, however, he reached Oregon without molestation. One of the pioneers in the train of which he was a member, was B. P. Cornwall, since known as one of the wealthy men of California. To hin had been intrusted by the Masonic grand lodge of Missouri, a charter for a subordinate lodge to be established in Oregon. On his arrival at Fort Hali, he concluded to give up coming
to Oregon and go to California instead. He therefore placed the document in the keeping of Mr. Kellogg and his son Joseph, who brought it through and established Multnomah lodge, No. I, the first Masonic lodge in Ore- gon; in fact, the first lodge of any kind in- stituted on the Pacific coast. This fact makes notable the year 1848, and also the Kellogg family. Soon after reaching Oregon City, Mr. Kellogg took up a donation claim, located between that place and Milwaukie, and, al- though advanced in life, set about with great vigor to build up a new home, and it was not long before he had one of the best farms and homes in the territory. He was one of the first to begin fruit culture on a large scale, and built and operated one of the first tanner- ies established. Captain Kellogg was a man of great liberality, never stinting his hospital- ity to travelers and strangers, and as for his friends, they always found the latch string on the outside of his door, indicative of hearty welcome. He gave attention to navigation on the lower Willamette and Columbia, being the first of the remarkable family of river captains bearing his name. Upon the open- ing of Yaquina bay to
commerce and
navigation by his son, Dr. George Kellogg, he accompanied the expedition and contributed very largely to its success. He died in Port- land. February 14, 1873. All in all, Captain Orrin Kellogg was a man of robust character and sterling worth, one of that class of men whose energy, fairness and goodness are of the utmost value in the formation of a common- wealth, and make it pleasureable to live in after the ball has began to roll.
CAPT. JOSEPH KELLOGG.
Captain Joseph Kellogg was born June 24, 1812, in Canada, though by action of congress he is declared to be American born. The cir- cumstances will be found in the biographical sketch of his father, Captain Orrin Kellogg, in this number. The most of his life up to 1847 was passed in the state of Ohio, leading the life of a farmer. In 1844 he met and mar- ried Miss Estella A. Bushnell, a young lady of noble character, who was born February 22, 1818, at Litchfield, N. Y., and who moved to Ohio in 1820. Mrs. Kellogg still survives to bless liis home. In 1847 he caught the western fever, and made one of the party of which his father's family were members. to rendezvous at St. Joseph, Mo., expecting to begin their journey in the spring follow-
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ing. In May, 1848, the march was begun, and after an uneventful trip, though trouble with the Indians, who were reported to be on the war path, was looked for, they arrived at Oregon City in the following fall. He took up a land claim near Milwaukie, and at once began that career of activity which has made him one of the foremost. business men of the state.
With Lot Whitcomb and William Torrence he platted the town of Milwaukie and built a sawmill. He also built for the firm a schoon- er, which was loaded with produce from the adjacent farms and taken to California, where they sold both schooner and cargo. In the spring of 1850 they commenced the construc- tion of the first large steamer built in Oregon, and known as the Lot Whitcomb, which was launched on Christmas day, with great fes- tivities and rejoicing .. In the midst of the exercises, however, a cannon exploded and killed Captain Morse, master of a ship lying at Milwaukie. The business of the firm pros- pered, a flouring mill was built and two brigs were kept busy carrying lumber to Sacramen- to, where it was sold at $200 per 1000. With- drawing from the firm of Whitcomb, Kellogg & Torrence, he formed a partnership with Bradbury & Eddy, with whom he put up the Standard flour mills, for many years the most extensive in Oregon. About 1857 he became interested in the construction of a telegraph line from San Francisco to Portland. He was also interested in the construction of the old Macadam road from Portland to the White House, the first of its kind built in the Northwest, and still the best road out of Port- land. About 1864 he united his efforts with those of the People's Transportation Com- pany, and superintended the construction by that corporation, of the basin above the falls of the Willamette, which stands today as a monument to his engineering skill. Captain Kellogg began with Captain Pease the naviga- gation of the Tualatin river, with the little steamer Onward, and constructed the canal from that river to Sucker lake. making it possible to bring freight to Oswego from the Willamette. In connection with this enter- prise, he bought the ground and platted the town of Oswego, then made an agreement with the Iron Works Company, by which they were able to resume business. In 1870 the People's Transportation Company sold out to Ben Holladay. and the Willamette Transpor- tation Company was formed, of which Cap-
tain Kellogg was vice-president and a director. He subsequently sold his interests in this cont- pany and formed the Joseph Kellogg Trans- portation Company, composed of himself, his brother and his sons. Under his direction the steamers Joseph Kellogg and Toledo were built, and operate on the Cowlitz river route to Toledo, 40 miles from the Columbia river. Although nearly four score and ten years of age, he is still hale and hearty, and is actively engaged in business in this city.
MAJOR THEODORE J. ECKERSON. MRS. ELIZABETH ECKERSON.
Major Eckerson joined the United States army more than 60 years ago, and, after service in Florida in the Seminole Indian war from 1840 to 1843, served in all the battles of the Mexican war except Buena Vista. For these services he afterward received his first appointment as a commissioned officer. His second commission was given him on the recommendation of General Ulysses S. Grant, then commanding the United States armies. from his headquarters at City Point, Va., un- der whose eye Major Eckerson's Mexican war service had been performed, which reads as follows, the original now being in the major's possession, and highly treasured by him:
"Headquarters, Armies of the United States, City Point, Va., February 3, 1865 .- To the President of the United States: I most heartily approve the application of Theodore J. Ecker- son for the appointment of assistant quarter- master in the regular army. He has served for more than 25 years in the army, and has maintained a high character. He is very efficient and well acquainted with the duties of almost every department of the service. I know him personally, and can vouch for what I say of him. He will make an excellent quartermaster to have on the Pacific coast. where he has been long and favorably known. "U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General."
His third commission (that of major) came in due course of promotion.
Major and Mrs. Eckerson arrived at the mouth of the Columbia river May 8, 1849. after a voyage of six months on board the United States steamship Massachusetts, and landed at Fort Vancouver on the 15th of that month. Here he established and taught the first American school north of the Columbia after the boundary treaty with Great Britain. a school for children of the various Indian
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tribes having previously been carried on in the Hudson's Bay Company's fort; and here, while in charge of the United States ordnance depot, he furnished, in 1855, upon his own authority, the arms, ammunition and accoutre- ments to the governor of Oregon (Curry) for the Oregon troops in the then Indian war. Strange to say, this action of his received no notice in the work recently printed under the authority of the legislature. nor is any refer- ence whatever made to the source whence the troops procured their arms. This omis- sion is to be corrected in a future edition, and, in the meantime, it is considered proper to subjoin here an extract from an article printed in the "Oregonian" on the subject in 1888. The "Oregchian" of June 16, 1888, thus refers to the invaluable service rendered by him to Oregon and Washington in the Indian wars of 1855:
"Major Eckerson did excellent service for Oregon in her early days of trial and danger. He had charge of the ordnance depot at Van- couver during the period of the greatest In- dian troubles, and took the responsibility, without orders from Washington, and against the remonstrances of General Wool, to sup- ply arms and ammunition upon the requisi- tion of the governors of Oregon and Wash- ington territory, for the use of the people. In this he rendered an invaluable service that never will be forgotten. Without the arms and fixed ammunition, defense would have been extremely difficult, and aggressive war upon the Indians impossible. The temper of Gen-
eral Wool was such as to make the matter one of serious difficulty to Captain (now Major) Eckerson, but he took the high posi- tion that there was no need of a depot of arms here unless some use were to be made of it for the protection and defense of the country."
The major holds medals and diplomas from the Grand Army of the Republic, the Mexican war, the Loyal Legion, U. S .; Sons of the American Revolution, Society of Foreign Wars, and Indian wars of the North Pacific coast. In 1888 he was elected an honorary member of Multnomah camp, No. 2. Indian War Veterans. and, at the meeting of said camp in 1898. was unanimously elected as first lieutenant. Himself and wife are also miem- hers of the Oregon Historical Society.
Major Eckerson was born January 22, 1820. and. though now in his 80th year, retains his mental facilities to their full, and moves
about like a man of 50. He was united in wedlock November 2, 1848, with Miss Eliza- beth McCabe. She was born in Monaghan county, Ireland. The writer of this. who knows her well, has found a description suit- able to her in an article contained in a prom- inent Eastern magazine, reading as follows:
"The women of the Celtic race have no su- periors in point of general comeliness, purity of life and healthy femininity. To integrity of conduct they add a cheerful and sympathetic temperament, which enables them to surmount all trials and to brighten the places wherein they find a home."
It may readily be concluded from this that as a wife, a mother and a friend she has, in the 50 years just past, well filled her place as a true pioneer.
Four sons and two daughters were born to the major and wife. Of them, one died at Astoria, two received commissions from Presi- dent Grant in the army, one is an employe in the postoffice department at Washington city, and both daughters became the wives of army officers.
CHARLES POPE.
Mr. Pope was born at Plymouth, England. August 23, 1807. In 1818, while still a youth of 12 years, he moved with his parents to New York, where he engaged with his father in the cabinet-makers' business. On Novem- ber 21, 1832, he was married to Miss Sarah E. Archer. Three sons and four daughters were born to them, the youngest of whom is a native daughter, and all of whom lived to maturity. In 1851 he thought that the Oregon country offered inducements which New York did not afford, and he set sail with his family for this coast. The vessel on which he took passage rounding Cape Horn, con- sumed 153 days in reaching the Columbia. As they passed up the Willamette, Portland was yet so much in its infancy that little or no notice was taken of it, but the vessel went onward to Oregon City, its cargo being con- signed in the main to Abernethy & Clark, who were then running a general merchandise store there. Not being able to reach such place on account of the shallow water, their belongings were transferred by barges, as was the ship's cargo. There the family was made welcome by the Abernethys, Mrs. Abernethy being a sister of Mr. Pope, and who had come to Oregon with her husband in 1840. Mr. Pope soon formed a partnership with a Mr. Ralston, and under the firin name of Pope
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& Ralston, they carried on a general merchan- dise business for a number of years. He was a leading member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and was prominent in Odd Fellow- ship. After the dissolution of the firm of Pope & Ralston, he formed a partnership with his sons in the hardware business, under the name of Pope & Co. He remained actively engaged in its management until his death, which occurred June 11, 1871. Mr. Pope was also treasurer of Oregon City. His wife sur- vived him until September 11, 1893, when she passed away. They were pioneers who were revered and loved by all who knew them, keeping open house for their friends, and never turning the deserving from their door. Of their sons, the eldest, Charles W., died a few years since; William H. is living in Portland, and Thomas A. is a resident of Ore- gon City. Of the daughters, Mary S. (de- ceased) became the wife of Dr. R. H. Lans- dale; Annie E. (deceased) became the wife of J. W. Laswell; Eva became the wife of George A. Steel, and Georgie the wife of J. W. Mel- drum.
CAPT. SETH POPE.
A lineal descendant of ancestors who set- tled at Plymouth and Sandwich soon after the Pilgrim Fathers came in 1620, was born in Fairhaven, Mass., October 6, 1803. His father and grandfather both took part in the war of the Revolution, and were present at the battle of Bunker Hill. His oldest brother also served in the war of ISI2. The subject of this sketch began to follow the sea in 1817. and soon arrived at the head of his profes- sion, commanding ships in the European and South American trade. Later he owned his own vessels, and, engaged in the West India trade, visiting all but three of the inhabited · islands. On the breaking out of the Cali- fornia fever, he loaded his brig, the Non- pareil, and sailed from New Bedford, Janu- ary 10, 1850, for San Francisco, arriving in June. Disposing of most of his cargo, he took passengers and freight for the Columbia river, arriving at Astoria about October 1; proceeding up the river to St. Helens, he sent freight and passengers in small boats to Ore- gon City. He then erected the first frame house at St. Helens. from material brought by him around the Horn, and began a gen- eral merchandise business, keeping his brig in the lumber trade, in the command of W. F. Brewer, whenever he remained ashore, He finally sold his vessel in 1854. taking up a
claim near St. Helens. He was the first post- master at that place, and during the following years served as county judge for a period of 12 years. His health becoming impaired, he removed to Portland in 1883, to be near his son. Seth L. Pope, and died there July 23, 1886, and was buried in Riverview cemetery.
Captain Pope married when a young man, and the union was blessed with a family of two sons-Seth L. Pope and William H. Pope. both of whom now reside in Portland; both are well known and leading and honorable citizens. Mrs. Pope died when the youngest son, William H., was about three years of age.
WILLIAM HENWOOD POPE.
Mr. Pope was born in Fairhaven, Mass., April 11, 1839, his parents being Seth and Mary Pope. When but three years of age his mother died, and from that time until he left for Oregon, he lived with his uncle and in boarding schools in his native town and in New Bedford. His father was a sea captain, and came on one of his vessels to Oregon in 1850, and through this his sons, Seth L. and our subject, were induced to come here. At this time the latter was 14 years old. The brothers left their old home in 1853, and after a long trip around Cape Horn, arrived at St. Helens in 1854. After arriving there Mr. Pope secured a situation as clerk in a store, which he held until 1860. In 1855-6, during the Indian wars, a blockhouse was built there for the protection of the settlers in case of attack. and though he was too young to go with those who went to the war, he watched their homes and firesides, with others, while they were absent, by performing guard duty. In 1860 he went to Olympia. He was there employed in the recorder's office until 1861. when he received the appointment of clerk ·
and interpreter of the Tulalip Indian reserva- tion; better wages being offered. he went to Vancouver and then to The Dalles. In the pring of 1863 he was appointed quartermas- ter's agent, and was placed in charge of the military supply station. located on the Snake river at the mouth of the Palouse, all govern- ment supplies destined for points beyond, pass- ing through his hands. He had as a garrison a non-commissioned officer and five privates. In the fall of that year the post was aban- doned, when he went to the Sound. He was assistant clerk in the house of representatives during the winter of 1863-64. He interested himself in the hotel business for a short time at Walla Walla, inined in the Coeur d'Alenes and in Montana. In 1867 he entered the em-
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ploy of the First National Bank of Idaho for seven years. He then went to San Francisco and engaged in the real estate business. After two years' experience, which was very vitisfactory, he again started traveling, visit- ing Mexico, Arizona, Utah and Colorado. In 1892 he returned to Oregon, and in 1895 se was appointed auditor of Multnomah county by the county court; this position he still retains, giving the utmost of satisfaction to all. Mr. Pope is unmarried.
MELVIN CLARKE GEORGE, LL. D.
Judge M. C. George is the third son of Presley and Mahala George, pioneers of 1851. He is a gentleman of brisk mental qualities and great force, with refined, popular attain- ments, and an honorable reputation that ex- tends to every corner of Oregon. He was born in Noble county, Ohio, May 13, 1849, and at the early age of two years came across the plains with his parents to this state, mak- ing him a pioneer and in feelings a native son, as his first recollections are of being here. He received his education in the public school near his father's home, near Lebanon, at the Santiam academy and at the Willamette uni- versity. He began independent life as prin- cipal of the public schools of Albany, and sub- sequently of the academy at Jefferson. He was for some considerable time engaged as a journalist, but abandoned such pursuit for the legal profession, and was admitted to the bar in 1875. He was early brought into political prominence. and was elected as a republican state senator from Multnomah county in 1876. In 1880 he was elected representative to con- gress and re-elected in 1882, being the first congressman from the state to serve twice con- secutively, or a second term up to such time. At the close of his second term he declined to consider a renomination. In 1885 he was chosen professor of medical jurisprudence in the medical college of Willamette university. retaining the position for ab.,. t 10 years. when he resigned. He was elected without opposi- tion a member of the board of directors for the public schools of Portland for five years, and in the same year received the honorary degree of LL. D .. from the leading university of the state. In June, 1891. he was appointed by the circuit judges of Multnomah circuit court, pursuant to an act of the legislature, a member of the bridge commission of Portland. On the death of Judge Stephens as circuit judge. he was appointed to the vacancy by
Governor Lord, and elected to succeed him- self at the election held in June, 1898.
Judge George is an able lawyer and influ- ential in public affairs. As a private citizen he is respected and esteemed for his upright conduct and genial manners. He was married in 1873 to Miss Mary Eckler, and has three children now living.
CAPT. GEORGE POPE.
Captain Pope was born in Aberdeen, Scot- land, November 7, 1840. In his early life his mother died and he went to live with his grandfather. While with him he was sent to school and acquired a good education, as he was very studious and allowed nothing to interfere with his studies. At the age of 12 years he entered a shipbuilding establishment, remaining in that employ until he was 17, gaining a thorough knowledge of naval construction. His father came to the United States several years before he did, and became one of the earliest railroad engineers in the state of New York. Through this means he heard of America and the opportunities here for young men, and he made up his mind to try his for- tunes in a new country. He therefore fixed upon the Pacific coast as the most desirable locality, and to it he came, locating in San Francisco, and engaged in business with his uncle, Roger Pope, who was an argonaut to California. In the summer of 1856 he came to Oregon, and was for some time connected with the survey of government lands. In 1860 he went East, and the Rebellion breaking out he entered the Union army and was sent to the Brooklyn navy-yard, where his knowledge of naval construction was at once recognized. He was then transferred to the line and con- tinued to remain on the vessels of war until the close of the Rebellion. The Anchor line of steamships offering him the command of one of their vessels he entered their employ, plying between New York and Glasgow. In 1872 he associated himself with a brother and they built a ship for the Portland and Sand- wich islands trade. but after they had sailed her around Cape Horn and reached Portland the firm of Corbitt & Macleay induced them to sell her to them. He then entered the em- ploy of that firm and made some 25 trips to the islands, when he concluded to remain on shore. He then opened an office as shipping agent, and by energetic and satisfactory dealings with shipowners, he soon obtained a very lucrative business. He represents
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Lloyd's, in the construction department, for both Oregon and Washington.
Upon the formation of the naval battalion of the state, he was chosen lieutenant, which rank he continues to hold. He is the senior member of the firm of Pope, Anderson & Co., of Portland, shipping and commission agents.
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JOSEPH D. LEE.
Joseph D. Lee was born in Polk county. about one mile northwest of where Monmouth now stands, on July 29, 1848, his parents hav- ing come to Oregon the previous year from Iowa. His boyhood days were spent on a farm, during which time he attended school. He completed a partial course in the La Creole academy of Danlas, after which he sometimes assisted in his father's store, sometimes worked on the farm and at others teamcd be- tween Dallas and Portland. In 1870 he was appointed postmaster of Dallas, but resigned after three years' sservice. In 1872 he was married to Miss Eliza Alice Witten, a gradu- ate of Willamette university, who, previous to her marriage, was a successful teacher in the university of Washington. In 1878 he was elected to the legislature from Polk county, and in 1880 was elected to the state senate. serving in that body four years. During the latter year he was a leading spirit in securing the extension of the narrow-gauge railroad to Dallas, which line has since been made a standard-gauge road.
In ISS3 he and his wife accompanied the Oregon pioneers on their famous Eastern trip over the Northern Pacific railroad.
At the expiration of his term as senator for Polk county, he was elected joint senator for Polk and Benton counties, serving four years in that capacity, thus making ten years of continuous service in the legislature. Prob- ably no other man in Oregon has ever repre- sented his native county continuously in the legislature for a full decade
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