USA > Oregon > The Oregon native son, Vol. I > Part 74
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Cyrus Olney's Cabin, Native Sons, and Nancy Welch's Cabin, Native Daughters, of Astoria, gave an en- tertainment and banquet Saturday, Jan- uary, 27. Abernethy's Cabin, Portland, was represented by Governor T. T. Geer, Grand President Sol Blumauer. Grand Historian, F. H. Saylor, H. D. Chapman, Captain T. C. Belcher, Judge Alex. Sweek, S. T. Jeffreys and wife, and A. M. Brown. Grand Orator Robert A. Miller, of McLoughlin's Cabin, of Ore- gon City, and Mrs. Miller, grand presi- dent of the Native Daughters, were pres- ent. The entertainment consisted of ad- dresses, recitations and songs, followed by dancing and a splendid supper pre- pared by the Native Daughters.
On February 9 the membership of Hannah Gilbert's Cabin, Native Daugh- ters, and Milliorn's Cabin, Native Sons, of Junction, gave a joint reception and entertainment to the pioneers, visiting grand officers and friends. The com- modious lodge room was filled to over- flowing, and all present, whether guests or entertainers, expressed themselves as heartily pleased with the programme rendered. At the conclusion of the lit- erary and musical numbers on the pro- gramme an elegant collation was served by the Native Daughters, following which came some two hours of social features and most pleasant general con- versation. In the early part of the even- ing several members were added to the roll of Milliorn's cabin and during the evening other applications for member- ship were received. The Native Daugh -. ters, however, had the largest number of applications, which will be acted upon at their next meeting.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
REV. SAMUEL PARKER.
This clergyman was not a pioneer to settle in this section of the United States, nor to engage in missionary work therein, still, his efforts for the good of the Pacific Northwest in various ways entitle him to be ranked among those who have builded the great commonwealth of which it is composed.
He was born at Ashfield, Mass., April 23, 1779, and acquired his education in his na- tive state, graduating from Williams College and Andover Theological Seminary in 1806. He was ordained a minister of the Congre- gational church in 1812. From this time until 1833 his labors were mainly confined within the state of New York. In that year he offered his services to the American Board of Foreign Missions as an explorer or missionary beyond the Rockies. His offer was not accepted until 1834, when he started for Oregon. On his arrival at St. Louis he found that he was too late to accompany an expedition of the American Fur Company, and returned home to stay until the follow- ing spring, in the meantime interesting the churches in behalf of his contemplated work.
He again set forth in 1835, accompanied by Marcus Whitman, leaving St. Louis in April of that year. On reaching Green river, the rendezvous of the Fur Company, information was obtained which convinced them that it was advisable that Dr. Whitman return for the purpose of securing reinforcements, which he did, Mr. Parker proceeding with the undertaking. The most of the traveling was done with Indians for his guides. While en route sickness and privations were ex- perienced, but nothing daunted, he contin- ued on his way, arriving at Vancouver dur- ing October. At the invitation of Dr. Mc- Loughlin, he passed the winter at Vancou- ver. He visited Astoria and the Willamette valley during the winter and in the spring took a tour among the Indians east of the mountains. On his return he took passage on a sailing vessel for the States, arriving home in 1837.
He published a book of his travels descrip- tive of the route of travel, the Indians, plants, animals. geology. meterology and geography of the Pacific Northwest. He kept constantly interested in Oregon and its welfare. lecturing very frequently about its great possibilities, and used his influence with prominent men in its behalf. In his book he speaks of the practicability of a transcontinental railroad. He died at Ithica, New York, March 21, 1866.
REV. HENRY HARMON SPALDING.
Rev. H. H. Spalding was born at Pratts- burg, N. Y., November 26, 1803. In early life he was left an orphan and was brought up by strangers, who gave him almost no school advantages, so that he arrived at manhood's estate before he could read and write. In 1825 he was so situated that he could go to school and he did so and applied himself with a will. A part of the time he worked for his board and walked some miles to school, but these disadvantages could not deter him from acquiring an education. In 1828 he gave himself to missionary work, and entered Prattsburg academy; and by 1831 he was able to enter the junior class- half way through-of Hamilton College. New York. On account of his poverty and the help he received from the education so- ciety, he was soon obliged to leave and go to the Western Reserve College, Ohio, from which he graduated in 1833. In the fall of that year he entered Lane Theological Sem- inary, remaining there two years and in 1835 was ordained by the Bath Presbytery of New York.
He was married October 12, 1833, to Miss Eliza Hart, a native of Connecticut, and af- ter his ordination they removed to the Osage Indian reserve as a missionary. Soon after he was visited by Dr. Whitman and in- · duced to accompany him to Oregon to labor among the Indians on the Columbia. The trip across the plains was made in 1836. Mrs. Spalding and Mrs. Whitman being the first white women to make that long and tiresome journey.
Mrs. Spalding's health was delicate and the trip came very near causing her death, but she got better on reaching the Rockies and lived thereafter until 1851. They came on through to Vancouver, but remained there only a short time when they went east ' of the mountains, settling at Lapwai. The first house they occupied there was made of buffalo skins, this however, was soon super- ceded by a log one. They remained at Lapwai until after the Whitman massacre in 1847, when they removed to the Willam- ette valley. The first Presbyterian church on the Pacific Coast, of which he was pas- tor, was organized August 18, 1939. The first apple trees planted in Idaho were plant. ed by him in 1837. The first printing on the coast was done at his station in May, 1839.
When Dr. Whitman was killed, in 1917. Mr. Spalding was near Walla Walla, and narrowly escaped a like fate; and only af- ter severe suffering, both bodily and mental,
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did he reach home a week later. When the captives were rescued from the Cayuses and taken to the Willamette valley in the spring of 184S, he, with his family and others were also taken. Up to that time they had been protected by the friendly Nez Perces. Mrs. Spalding died at Oregon City, January 7, 1851. The issue of the union was four chil- dren. Eliza, (Mrs. Warren), being the oldest white child born in the Pacific Northwest that lived beyond early infancy. Mr. Spald- ing again married in 1853, Miss Rachel J. Smith, a native of Boston, and a pioneer of 1852. She survived her husband and died at Hillsboro, April 22, 1880.
Mr. Spalding's life in the Pacific North- west was a very active one, and was always for the welfare of the community in which he lived. He held several offices of responsi- bility, and with honor to himself and the state and nation. It is probably to his in- fluence, more than to any other single cause that the most of the Nez Perces have ever remained friendly to the whites during the many Indian wars, and are now so well civ- lized.
REV. CUSHING EELLS, D. D.
Dr. Eells was born at Blanford, Mass., February 16, 1810. He remained at his na- tive place until he was fifteen years of age when he was sent for a finished education to to Monson Academy and later to Williams College, Massachusetts, graduating from the latter in 1834. He then attended the East Windsor Theological Seminary, Connecticut, graduating from this institution in 1837, and in the fall of that year was ordained a min- ister of the Congregational church. Soon after he offered his services to the American Board of Foreign Missions, who accepted them and appointed him to the Zulu mission of Africa. but his destination was subse- quently changed to the Pacific Northwest.
Dr. Eells was united in marriage to Miss Myra Fairbank, of Holden, Mass., on March 5. 1838. On the next day they started on their bridal tour across the plains and about a year later began house-keeping near the Spokane river, ready to receive visitors. In the same party coming with them was an- other bride
and groom-Rev. Elkanah Walker and wife. The trip across the con- tinent was made on horseback, and they were under the protection of the American Fur Company as far as the Rockies and from thence they traveled with employees of the Hudson's Bay Company until they reached Waiilatpu. Dr. Whitman's station, where they arrived August 29, 1838. There they spent the winter and in the spring of 1839 they, together with Mr. and Mrs. Walker, es- tablished a mission among the Spokane In- dians at Tshimakain, in what is now Spo-
kane county, Washington. At their mission they remained until 1848, when they went to Fort Colville, fearing that the Indians who murdered Dr. Whitman and others in 1847, would seek to massacre them as well, in spite of the friendly feeling manifested for the Spokanes among whom they labored. Soon after going to Colville they were es- corted to the Willamette valley by the vol- unteer troops. After their arrival, they were a short time on the Abiqua, and then went to Salem and for a time taught in the Ore- gon Institute (Willamette University). In 1849 they went to Forest Grove and there taught school until 1851, when they went to Hillsboro and likewise were engaged until 1857, and again returned to Forest Grove, and for the next three years Dr. Eells was prin- cipal of Tualitan Academy. In 1860 he went to Walla Walla and began the up-building of what is now known as Whitman College. This institution was not only the creation of his own mind, but its success has been due to his work as a teacher therein and contrib- utor to its endowment fund, devoting to the latter upwards of ten thousand dollars, out of his personal means and secured some twelve thousand more from others for it.
The doctor's life has been very active in ministerial work; he has organized more churches in Washington than any other man who ever lived in that state, and after their organization remained with them until they were sure to be kept alive and thriving, then transferring his ministry therein to others so that he could start another elsewhere. To the churches he organized he gave liberally and contributed largely to missionary enter- prises. Mrs. Eells died August 9, 1878. They had two children, Hon. Edwin Eells and Rev. Myron Eells. both of whom are residents of the state of Washington.
REV. ELKANAH WALKER.
This prominent pioneer was born at North Yarmouth, Maine, August 7, 1805. and was brought up in his native place. At twenty- six he united with the church and soon after- wards began to study for the ministry. He took an academic course, and in 1834 entered Bangor Theological Seminary, graduating therefrom in 1837. In 1838 he was ordained a minister of the Congregational church. He offered his services to the American Board of Foreign Missions, who appointed him as a missionary to South Africa, together with Rev. Cushing Eells, who accompanied him to Oregon, but a war breaking out between the chiefs in Africa causing a detention in go- ing, and in the meantime the call from Ore- gon being so urgent that, with their consent, their destination was changed to this coast.
Mr. Walker was married March 5, 1838, to Miss Mary Richardson, a portrait and biog.
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raphical sketch of whom appeared in the June number. Before her engagement to Mr. Walker she was appointed a missionary to Siam but after that event her destination was changed first to Africa and then to Ore- gon.
The day following their marriage they started on their bridal tour across the plains in company with Revs. Eells and A. B. Smith, and Mr. W. H. Gray and their wives, where no white women had ever traveled, except Mrs. Whitman and Mrs. Spalding, who came to Oregon with their husbands in 1836. The journey was made on horseback, the saddle used by Mrs. Walker being now in the custody of the Oregon Historical Society. They arrived at Waiilatpu in August, 1838. The next ten years were spent at Tshimakain (Walker's prairie), among the Spokane In- dians. Mr. Walker studied the language of these Indians and prepared and published a small primer in the same, it being printed on the pioneer printing press of the Pacific Coast, then at Lapwai. This is believed to be the only book ever printed in that tongue.
After the massacre of Dr. Whitman and ·others at Waiilatpu, in November, 1847, it was not deemed safe to remain longer at their mission and in March, 1848, they left it and went to Fort Colville, remaining there until June, when they were escorted to the Willamette valley by Oregon volunteers, and on their arrival they stopped at Oregon City until 1850, when they removed to Forest Grove where the remainder of their lives were spent.
Mr. Walker assisted in the organization of the Congregational Association at Oregon City, in 1848, and also in establishing Tuali- tan Academy at Forest Grove in the same year. He was
very liberal in gifts to churches, schools and enterpises that were of a beneficial character to the community in which he lived.
He died at Forest Grove. November 21, 1877, his wife surviving him until December 5, 1897. Eight children were born to them, the eldest, Cyrus, enjoying the distinction of being the oldest white male child born in the Pacific Northwest who lived beyond in- fancy.
ARCHBISHOP BLANCHET.
The Most Reverend Francis Norbert Blan- chet was born at St. Pierre, Riviere du Sad. Canada, September 5, 1795. He was educated in the Petit Seminaire, Quebec. and was or- dained July 18, 1819. While engaged in mis- sionary labors in the district of Montreal, in 183S, he was appointed to take charge of the Oregon mission, with the title of vicar-gen- eral, and for his assistant was given the Rev. Modeste Demers.
The mission to which they were assigned was "situated between the Pacific ocean and the Rocky mountains,"-a mighty charge for two men; but the men were apostles, and therefore as full of practical zeal as of prac- tical faith. Their journey was long and a most laborious one. While en route they baptized and confirmed many Indians, who had gathered at the various forts to meet the long-looked-for "black gowns" as they were called. They arrived at Vancouver, No- vember 24, 1838. Here they made their head- quarters, while for four years they toiled un- aided, up and down the wide domain of their mission. They learned the Indian language and taught the natives in their own tongue the prayers and doctrines of the church.
The first assistance sent them was in 1843, which was from time to time augmented by further reinforcements. On October 17, 1843. was founded St. Joseph's College, at St. Paul. the institution starting out with thirty board- ers, all sons of farmers, except one, the son of an Indian chief.
With the rapid growth of the missions the holy see, at the request of the bishops of Quebec and Baltimore, erected Oregon into a vicariate-apostolic (December 1, 1843), ap- pointing Father Blanchet its vicar-apostolic. with the title of Bishop of Philadelphia. In November, 1844, he set out for Canada, to be consecrated. On his arrival, having appoint- ed Father Demers vicar-general, he found the title given in his briefs, was changed to Bishop of Drasa, and by this latter title he was consecrated. From Canada he went to Europe in the interests of his charge, re- ceiving substantial aid and reinforcements. While there, Pius IX, erected Oregon into an ecclesiastical province. containing three suf- fragan sees, Oregon City, Walla Walla and Vancouver Island; the first being alloted to the archbishop, the second to his brother. the Rev. A. M. A. Blanchet. canon of Mon- treal, and the third to his faithful colleague. Vicar-General Demers.
The archbishop returned to Oregon in 1847 and from that time until 1879 he was the ac- tive head of the Catholic church in the Pa- cific Northwest. What the Catholic church is today in the Pacific Northwest, is due to his master mind. In this year the venerable man. no longer able to attend to the arduons du- ties of the office held. asked for and was granted a coadjutor in the person of Arch- bishop Segers. After initiating his co-labor er into the work of the diocese, he chose to retire, publishing his farewell pastoral on February 27, 1881. From that time unti! June 18, 1883. he resided at St. Vincent's hospital, passing his last days in reading. writing and making occasional visits, until in the ripeness of old age he was plucked from the tree of life by the angel of death.
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He was buried at St. Paul, Marion county, the oldest French settlement in the Pacific Northwest.
BISHOP MODESTE DEMERS.
Right Reverend Modeste Demers was of French parentage, and born October 4, 1808, in the parrish of St. Nicholas, near Quebec, Canada. He received his education at Que- bec's leading seminary, graduating with great credit. He was ordained February 7, 1836, and was sent to the Red River country as a missionary. Here he remained until 1838, when himself and Archbishop (then Father) Blanchet, came to the Pacific North- west, they being the pioneer missionaries of the Catholic church to set up the cross in this section of the United States.
After their arrival, Father Blanchet labor- ed more among the Canadians then here and Father Demers among the Indians, and it is due mainly to his assiduous efforts that the Indians of the Sound and British Colum- bia were won over to the faith. In 1846 the Pacific Northwest was erected into an arch- diocese with Archbishop Blanchet as Metro- politan. The diocese was divided into three suffragan sees. Oregon City. Walla Walla and Vancouver Island. To the latter see, Father Demers was created bishop, and at such time he was without even a single assistant. Nothing daunted, he took up the work before him and it was not long before the energy displayed bore fruit not only in a way of se- curing the assistance of priests and sisters, but additional communicants. The diocese then but a scattered congregation. is now one of the most numerous and praiseworthy on the coast. Bishop Demers lived to see himself surrounded by faithful and ardent co-religionists in every portion of his dio- cese, and where he once celebrated mass with no housing but the dome of blue above, now there are elegant and costly churches. Schools, hospitals and other institutions of learning and reliefs to stricken man are in almost every town throughout the see he made to blossom as the rose.
After an active life of great usefulness to the church, to mankind and to the Pacific Northwest, a good and great man went to his reward on July 28. 1877.
VERY REV. J. B. A. BROUILLET.
Father John Baptist Abraham Brouilette was of French-Canadian parentage. He was born December 11, 1813. at St. John the Bap- tist, Canada, now a suburb of the City of Montreal. He was educated for the priest- hood at the St. Hyacinth College, and was ordained August 27. 1837. For the next ten years he was engaged in the ministry in
various parts of Canada. In 1847 he accom- panied archbishop (then newly consecrated bishop) Blanchet across the plains to Ore- gon, coming in the capacity of vicar-general of the new diocese. In the fall of that year they arrived at Walla Walla, where the mis- sion previously established in that place, was placed in his charge. He began at once his labors among the Indians, and met with phenomenal success until the disturbances arising through the massacre of Dr. Whit: man at Waiilatpu, made it unsafe for a white man to live in that section. The Indians were especially antagonistic towards Dr. Whitman and his associates, not making any outward show of hostility against others. but they nevertheless kept strict watch upon all the whites, and as soon as they saw Father Brouillet assist to bury the massacred dead, and when they learned that he had gone down the river in order to intercept and warn Rev. H. H. Spalding, a colleague of Dr. Whitman. that moment he became a marked man. Under the circumstances it was useless for him to try continuance of his la- bors there and he removed to Southern Ore- gon. After a short stay there the California gold excitement broke out and he followed the exodus of settlers to the mines.
The Indian troubles being settled in his first pastorate, he returned there. From Walla Walla he was sent to Washington City to look after the interests of the Indian missions of the West. This took him on visitation to missions far removed from each other and during all seasons. In the winter of 18S3-84 he went to a mission in Dakota. and during the trip got caught in a blizzard, and though he escaped alive, the hardships he underwent produced sun blindness and paralysis of the muscles of the face and throat. These troubles, together with the shock his constitution had received, brought on a speedy decline. He died February 5, 1884.
REV. PIERRE JOHN DESMET, S. J.
Father DeSmet was born in Termonde. Belgium, December 31. 1801. The early bent of his mind inclined him to enter the min- istry, and he entered college in his native country for that purpose, but before gradua- tion, came to America. Soon after his arrival he located at St. Louis, Mo., where he con- tinued his studies, graduating with high honors, following which, he was ordained and identified himself with the Jesuite Order.
In the spring of 1840 he joined an expedi- tion en route for the Pacific Northwest, ex- pecting to pursue his labors among the In- dians of this section as he had previously among the tribes east of and along the Mis- sissippi.
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Being young, ardent, intellectual, educated, energetic and of a commanding presence, he was well fitted to make a favorable im- pression upon the Indians among whom he came to win over to the faith of his fathers. His efforts were so successful from the very beginning that he realized that he must have assistance and in the fall of that year he left for the East. to interest others in help- ing him. He returned in the following year with reinforcements, establishing a perma- nent mission among the flat-head Indians. The field being still too wide for successful covering by himself and associates, he again went East for more help. There he secured aid, but not sufficient, and he went to Eu- rope hoping there to realize upon the full- ness of his dreams. He returned in 1844 ac- companied by several fathers. lay brothers, and by six sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. These sisters were the first to come to the Pacific Northwest.
The trip from the old country was by sail- ing vessel, from Antwerp, and of necessity a long and tiresome journey, still, the intrepid father lost no time after his arrival in reach- ing the upper country where he could be with his charge again. He continued to remain in this field for many years, laboring zeal- ously and with great reward. His influence over the Indians was considerable and al- ways exerted for good, and on several occa- sions his interference prevented hostilities between them and the whites.
He was fond of writing and left behind him several books of travel and of historic inter- est relative to the Pacific Northwest. At the close of life, a faithful servant entered into the joys of his Lord. He died in St. Louis, in May, 1872.
JAMES DUVAL HOLMAN.
This honored pioneer was born August 18, 1814, on his father's farm in Woodford coun- ty, Kentucky. His ancestors were of the very best blood of the sunny South. After living in the place of his birth for about three years he removed with his parents to Tennessee, residing there for nine years, when another remove was made to Clay county, Missouri. In 1841 his mother died and in 1843 his father, John Holman, came across the plains to Oregon.
Soon after reaching manhood Mr. Holman engaged in the mercantile business, but ow- ing to the many Mormons the section where he was, his opposition to them and participating in measures against them, to- gether with the failure of some heavy debt- ors. a failure in business was brought about in 1845. He, however, refused to avail him- self of the laws of insolvency and, after com- ing to Oregon, voluntarily paid his indebt-
edness, together with accrued interest there- on. .
In 1846, with his wife and two children, he came across the plains, arriving at Oregon City in October of that year. It is unneces- sary to recount the hardships and privation: endured by those making that long and tir- some trip. All old pioneers know only too well what a journey to Oregon was in the forties. Those days are part of the hero!c. history of the Pacific Northwest, and the real pioneers are those who came prior to 1917 Others experienced equal hardships and dan gers, but they came with a certainty that the country was a part of the United States and that each would have the right to a donation claim on his arrival, while their predecessors had no guarantee of being permitted to quietly settle in the prospective homes they had come to seek out.
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