The centennial history of Oregon, 1811-1912, Part 109

Author: Gaston, Joseph, 1833-
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, The S.J. Clarke publishing company
Number of Pages: 1072

USA > Oregon > The centennial history of Oregon, 1811-1912 > Part 109

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

period. Subsequently he took up a home- stead just east of Yoncalla and continued to reside thereon until his demise in July. 1871, passing away as the result of scarlet fever at the comparatively early age of thirty-three years. The maternal grandmother of R. D. Williams also located in Douglas county on coming to Oregon and soon thereafter wed- ded Thomas Pollock. who erected the first gristmill in that county.

R. D. Williams, who lost his father when still but a child, has depended entirely upon his own rescources since the early age of ten. He was practically reared by the Applegate family, finding employment with its mem- bers for several years. It was in 1884 that William Schroeder, a prominent stockman, took him into castern Oregon and there em- ployed him for one year. During the follow- ing year Mr. Williams worked for Devine & Todhunter, stockmen of eastern Oregon. In the fall of 1886, in the interests of his em- ployers, he went east with a trainload of cattle shipped to the Chicago market. Re- turning to the west, he stopped at Shoshone, Idaho, and there entered the service of the Union Pacific Railroad Company, following railroading for four years. In 1891 he re- turned to Douglas county, where lie has since devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits and where he owns a farm of one. hundred and twenty-one acres in Scotts val- ley. He leases this property, however, and cultivates a rented tract of three hundred acres in the vicinity. As an agriculturist he has won a gratifying measure of prosperity and he has long been numbered among the successful and influential citizens of his community.

In 1892 Mr. Williams was united in mar- riage to Miss Nellie Wilson, of Tehama county, California, by whom he has four children, namely: Ruth, Roy, Rachel and Ran- som. All are still at home. Mr. Williams gives his political allegiance to the republi- can party and belongs to the following fra- ternal organizations: Alpha Lodge, No. 170, 1. O. O. F .; Umpqua Camp, No. 77, A. O. U. TV .; and Yoncalla Tent, No. 63, K. O. T. M. As a native son of Oregon and a representa- tive citizen of Douglas county he well de- serves mention in this volume.

WALTER L. TOOZE, JR., is one of the successful members of the legal profession in Dallas, where since 1908 he has held the office of city attorney, while for two years of this time, he also discharged the duties of the same office in Falls City. He is a native son, his birth having occurred in Butteville, Marion county, on February 24, 1887, and his- parents are Mr. and Mrs. Walter L. Tooze, of Salem, Marion county, Oregon.

When he was an infant of eight months his parents removed to Woodburn. Marion county, this state. in the public schools of which place he obtained his early education. He subsequently spent one year in Mount Angel College and three years in a military school at Portland. being graduated from the latter institution in 1904. Having decided to become an attorney, he then matriculated in the law department of the University of Michigan. at Ann Arbor, that state. being awarded his degree with the class of 1908. Immediately following his admission to the bar of Oregon he opened an office in the Wil- son building in Dallas, but he is now located in suite 8 and 9 of the new First National Bank building. He has very attractive and appropriately furnished offices here and is building up a most excellent practice. His

721

THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

preparation has been very thorough, in addi- tion to which he has a pleasing address, dis- cernment and quick reasoning powers, so essential in this of all professions. He gives very careful attention to the preparation of his cases, and takes infinite pains to arrange his arguments in logical sequence, his deduc- lions invariably being true and firmly es- tablished.

In 1908, at Somerset, Hillsdale county, Michigan, Mr. Tooze was united in marriage. to Miss Ruth Belden Smith, who was born in Eaton Rapids, Michigan, on the 1st day of July, 1887. She is a daughter of Delos and Harriet (Belden) Smith, both natives of Somerset township, Hillsdale county, Michigan. The father was born on the 10th of September, 1849, and was a well-to-do and prosperous farmer, and for fourteen years was engaged in agricultural pursuits in Eaton county, Michigan, but later removed to the old Belden homestead, where his wife had been born and reared. He passed away in Somerset, November 3, 1908, and was deeply mourned throughout the community, where he had spent the greater part of his life. Public affairs always engaged much of Mr. Smith's attention, and he took a deep interest in local politics. During his early manhood he was a stanch republican, but dur- ing his latter years he indorsed Bryan's principles, believing that their adoption would solve many of the great problems be- fore the American people at the present time. During his life time, he held various offices of trust in his township. Fraternally he was an Odd Fellow, being past grand of that order, and also a member of the Maccabees. He was a man of high ideals and exalted standards of citizenship, whose irreproachable character and incorruptible integrity fully entitled him to the esteem he was accorded by all who knew him. His parents were Joseph P. and Martha (Grinnell) Smith, the father a native of Webster, New York, whence he removed in his early manhood to Hillsdale county, Michigan. He was mar- ried at Adrian and subsequently located on a farm in Eaton county, that state. Seven children were born of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph P. Smith: Montraville, Washington, Marshall, Delos, Carlos, Eugene and Rosette. Mrs. Harriet (Belden) Smith, the mother of Mrs. Tooze, was born in Hills- dale county, Michigan, on August 10, 1857, and is a daughter of Levi and Abigail (Walsh) Belden. Levi Belden was born in Whaley township, Massachusetts, on the 16th of February, 1823, whence he removed as a lad of twelve years with his parents to Hillsdale county, Michigan, where they ac- quired some government land, which was held in the family until after the death of Delos Smith. Levi Belden was a son of Jeremiah and Anna Belden, while his paternal grand- father was Joseph Belden. Abigail (Walsh) Belden, the wife of Levi Belden. was also a native of Massachusetts, her birth occurring on November 23, 1835. To Mr. and Mrs. Delos Smith were born two children: Floyd Elmer, whose birth occurred on the 6th of November, 1880; and Mrs. Tooze.

Mr. Tooze's fraternal connections are con- fined to his membership in Friendship Lodge, No. 108, I. O. O. F., and Marmiom Lodge, No. 6, Knights of Pythias. He is a captain of infantry in the Oregon National Guard, com- . inanding Company G, Third Infantry, and is secretary of the Dallas Commercial Club, which position he has filled for two years. He is also attorney for the state land board for Polk county. His attention is almost entirely devoted to his practice, in which he is meeting with such excellent success. How- ever, lie is an ardent republican and finds time occasionally to devote to politics, and is now the republican nominee for the office of joint representative in the state legisla- ture for the counties of Lincoln and Polk. As a public speaker of some merit, he is called upon very often to deliver speeches, and has already acquired a reputation as a forceful public speaker and campaigner. Mr. Tooze's future in both his profession and public life gives every assurance of being most promising, as he possesses those pow- ers that invariably pave the way to a suc- cessful career in any vocation.

JAMES PALMER, yard superintendent for the Westport Lumber Company and one of the stockholders in this business, has re- sided at Westport since 1902. Much of his life has been spent upon the Pacific coast and he is a self-made man who at the age of twelve years started out in the business world for himself. His record is another proof of the fact that it is under the pres- sure of adversity and the stimulus of op- position that the best and strongest in men are brought out and developed.

Mr. Palmer was born in North Carolina, January 13, 1856, his parents being James and Amelia (Shavis) Palmer, the former a native of North Carolina and the latter of Oregon. They were married in the fath- er's native state and there resided through- out their remaining days, Dr. Palmer pass- ing away on the 4th of September, 1858, while his wife survived until 1881. He had devoted his entire life to the pratice of medi- cine and was recognized as a capable phy- sician in the community in which he lived. · The family numbered but two sons and the elder, Preston, died in 1886.

James Palmer of this review was only two years old at the time of his father's death and when but twelve years of age was thrown upon his own resources, so that whatever success he had achieved in life is attributable entirely to his labors and deter- mination. For five years he was employed as a farm hand in his native state and then went to Massachusetts, where he worked for his board and the privilege of attend- ing school for four years. He realized the inadequacy of his education and wished to better qualify for business life by promot- ing his knowledge. He thus availed himself of the opportunity of attending school and when four years had thus passed he took charge of a coal and wood yard in Massa- chusetts. of which he remained the manager for ten years. He displayed business ability

722

THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

of unmistakable worth but thinking that he would have better opportunities on the Pacific coast, he came to the west, settling first in British Columbia, where he remained for five years. He then went to Washing- ton, where he lived for eight years, working in a sawmill there. He afterward spent three years in a sawmill in California and be- came thoroughly familiar with the business in its different branches. In 1902 he arrived in Westport, Oregon, where he has been yard superintendent of the Westport Lum- ber Company and also of the sawmill. He is a stockholder in the business and is giv- ing undivided attention to its development, his labors being a valuable element in the expansion of the trade.

On the 7th of July, 1904, Mr. Palmer was married to Mrs. L. Baldwin, a widow, who bore the maiden name of Rose Morton. She was born in Wisconsin and was a daughter of John and Sarah Morton, both now de- ceased. In the Morton family were four children, of whom Mrs. Palmer is the only one now living. By her first marriage she had two children: Elizabeth, twenty-two years of age, now at home; and Clayton, who is seventeen years of age and is attend- ing college.

Mr. and Mrs. Palmer are of the Methodist Episcopal faith and he is a republican in his political views. He certainly deserves much credit for the success he has achieved. His laudable ambition was manifest in his effort to secure an education and throughout his entire life he has been an attentive observer of men and events and in the school of ex- perience has learned many valuable lessons. His worth as a business man and citizen is widely acknowledged and he also has pleas- ing personal characteristics which win him warm regard.

ROBERT U. HOWARD, whose many ster- ling traits of character made him a respected, worthy and valued citizen of Westport, was born at Crab Orchard, Nebraska, March 26, 1870, a son of J. M. and Sarah E. (Bisby) Howard, the former a native of Polo, Illi- nois, and the latter of the state of New York. They were married in Abingdon, Iowa, July 4, 1865, and there resided for a short time prior to their removal to Nebraska, where J. M. Howard carried on general farm- ing for a quarter of a century. In 1888 he went with his family to Oregon, where they lived for twenty-one years, and in 1910 re- moved to Alberta, Canada, settling near Pit- cox, where he and his wife are now resid- ing. Of their family of seven children only two are now living: Mary, the wife of F. R. Jones. of Crab Orchard, Nebraska; and D. E., who is living in Calgary, Alberta, Can- ada. Those who have passed away are: Robert U .; Jennie, who died in 1898, at the age of twenty years; Zilla, when thirty-one years of age; Guy, at the age of twenty-two; and Mellie, when about twenty-five years of age.

Robert U. Howard spent his boyhood days under the parental roof and was a young man of eighteen when, in November, 1888.

he came with his parents to Oregon, settling in Washington county. Eleven years later he removed to Westport, where he has since made his home. In March, 1911, he married Mrs. Margaret West, the widow of Robert West, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this work. By her former marriage she had a son and two daughters, Ralph, Maud and Margaret, who reside with Mrs. Howard.

The family attend the Methodist Epis- · copal church, of which Mr. Howard was a devoted member. He joined the church at the age of thirteen years and his religious belief became the guiding spirit in his life. It was practiced in all his relations and in none more so than in the home circle. He became a father to the West children and was a devoted husband and loyal friend. As a citizen, business man and neighbor he was honored and respected by all who knew him. He was ever upright and his was a genial, social nature that shed around him much of the sunshine of life. He gave gen- erous aid to every worthy cause and he was ever loyal to a principle which he espoused. He held membership with the local tent of the Maccabees and his brethren of that or- der conducted the funeral services when he was laid to rest after passing away on the 1st of August, 1912. Only words of praise and admiration were spoken of him, because his life was ever honorable and upright.

HENRY ALBERS. Along the line of con- structive effort Henry Albers has directed his labors and through the development of one of the important productive industries of Portland has come to be recognized as a leading business man of the city, being now president of the Albers Brothers Milling Company. He was born at Lingen, in the province of Hanover, Germany, April 13, 1866. His father, Hermann Albers was a grain merchant at that place and in 1895 came to America, settling at Portland. He was taken ill while en route so that he did not engage in business here, and his death occurred in this city in 1896. He was ac- companied by his family of five sons and one daughter: Bernard, who for a short time en- gaged in the grocery business and then es- tablished the Albers Brothers Milling Com- pany, of which he was president until his death in 1908; Henry and William, both of Portland; George, of Seattle; Frank, of San Francisco; and Mrs. Frank Terheyden, of this city. The mother, whose maiden name was Theresa Voss, had died in Lingen about 1878.

Henry Albers was educated in the public schools of his native city to the age of fif- teen years, when he began learning the flour milling business, in which he has since been engaged. Coming to America in 1891, he was associated with his brother Bernard and with Thomas Schneider in establishing in May 1895, a cereal mill across the street from their present location. The business was organized as the Albers-Schneider Mill- ing Company. After three years they re- moved to their present site and a short time

ROBERT U. HOWARD

725

THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

subsequent the Albers brothers purchased the interest of Mr. Schneider. In 1901 George, Frank and William Albers, who had been in the employ of the company since its inception, became members of the firm which was then reorganized under the name of the Albers Brothers Milling Company. Bernard Al- bers died in 1908, at which time Henry Albers became president. The other officers are William Albers, vice president; George Albers, secretary; Frank Albers, treasurer; and Joseph Demming, together with the other officers, a director. They began the enterprise on a small scale, having a little mill that Henry Albers operated alone, Ber- nard Albers attending to the office and the business. Three years later they purchased a new mill, which they installed with modern machinery in order to meet the increase in business. In 1902 their plant was destroyed by fire and their present building was erected for them. In 1900 they leased a mill in Seattle, of which George Albers has charge, thus extending the scope of their activities. In 1902 they purchased the mill at Seattle and also one in Tacoma, of which Frank Albers had charge until 1909 and which they are still operating. In January, 1909, they purchased a mill in San Francisco, which is operated under the name of the Del Monta Milling Company, now the Albers Brothers Milling Company, and Frank Al- bers went to that city to assume the man- agement there. They likewise have a branch store in Oakland and they own a dock in Portland known as the Albers Docks Nos. 1, 2 and 3, covering six hundred feet. Since 1902 they have given their attention prin- cipally to the manufacture of cereals, their principal brands being Violet Oats, Pearls of Wheat, Columbia Oats, Columbia Wheat, Vio- let Wheat and many other package cereals, as well as all kinds of grain products. Their Peacock buckwheat flour is one of the most successful. They are now erecting a new plant at Front and Lovejoy streets, which will have one thousand feet of water front and the building will be six stories in height. This will be the largest enterprise of the kind on the Pacific coast, two hundred and fifty workmen are employed and the business is continually growing along healthful, sub- stantial lines.

Mr. Albers is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and the Commercial Club and is interested in all projects and plans of those organizations for the development and im- provement of Portland and for the exploita- tion of its resources. He also holds member- ship in the Rotary Club, in the Elks lodge and with the Knights of Columbus and is a member of the Roman Catholic church. He gives his political support to the republican party but has never been an office seeker. In 1901 he paid a visit to his birthplace and made a trip throughout Europe and he plans to spend more time in travel. Of plain, un- assuming manner, pleasant and courteous, his social qualities and genuine work are widely recognized and have made him popular with a large circle of friends. His business ability has placed him at the head of the most prom- Vol. IV-30

inent milling company of the northwest, the success of which is attributable in no small degree to his efforts, for he has been con- nected therewith since the inception of the business.

SEVERIN ROGSTAD is the well known and popular owner of one of the best ho- tels in North Bend, Oregon. He was born in Norway, in 1866, and is a son of Jens Olsen and Gurine (Arnesdater) Rogstad, both of whom are natives of Norway. To them seven children have been born, as follows: Christian, who makes his home in Norway; Gunder, living in Goldfield, Nevada; Martha, who is a resident of Norway; Severin, of this review; Olena, who is deceased; and Julius and Richard, both of Norway.

Severin Rogstad was reared at home and received his early education in his native land. At the age of eighteen he emigrated to America and settled first in North Da- kota, where he stayed for a short time and then removed to Minnesota in 1886, where he was engaged for three years in the lumber and timber business. He subsequently went into the hardware business, in which he con- tinued for two years and then took up work for the Marshall Wells Hardware Company of Duluth, Minnesota, and in that employ- ment he continued for ten years. He then went to Portland and was there employed by the Honneyman Hardware Company until 1906. During the years of his employment for the above named hardware companies he also owned a stationery and confectionery busi- ness and his wife looked after the manage- ment of their store. He later sold out and moved to North Bend, where he engaged in the hotel business and built the Hotel Ore- gon, which is the only hotel of its kind at North Bend. He has built up a very profita- ble hotel business and has an extended ac- quaintance among the traveling public. The hotel building is three stories high and mod- ern in its construction and when built it was considered to be the finest hotel property in Coos county.

Mr. Rogstad was united in marriage, in 1901, to Miss Bessie Johnson, a daughter of John and Burgett (Hegland) Johnson, both of whom were natives of Norway. Mr. Rog- stad is affiliated with the republican party and is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and he and his wife are members of the Lutheran church. Mr. Rogstad is well adapted by temperament and social qual- ities for the hotel business. His years of as- sociation with the business world in various parts of the country have enabled him to es- tablish a very extended acquaintance. es- pecially among the traveling men through- out the northwest, and his hotel. being mod- ern in all its appointments and the only one of its kind at North Bend, has long since been known as the mecca of the traveling public, and its popular landlord and owner never fails to make his guests at home within his well known hostelry. Mr. Rogstad has by his ever-present enterprise, his indefati- gable energy and his progressive spirit in con- ducting a hotel, worthy of its name, con-

726

THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

siderably contributed toward the up-building of his community and entertains the opti- inistic views of a true and sincere booster in regard to the future development and prosperity of Coos county and in particular of North Bend.

ARCHIBALD McGILL, a prominent and prosperous citizen of Oregon, is a partner of M. McDonald in the conduct of the Oregon Nursery Company, one of the largest and most complete nurseries in the United States, extending over eleven hundred acres. This concern also owns the town site of Orenco, which was laid out by our subject and his associate in business. Mr. McGill was born in London, Ontario, on the 17th of January, 1865, his parents being Peter and Isabelle McGill, both of whom were natives of Scot- land. They were married in Canada and there spent the remainder of their lives, Peter McGill passing away when seventy-two years of age. His wife, who survived him for nine years was seventy-one years old when called to her final rest. Unto them were born ten children, seven of whom are yet living.

Archibald McGill obtained his education in in the schools of his native land and when a youth of fifteen began earning his own liveli- hood, being employed in the nursery of E. C. Pearson at Waterloo, New York, for four years. On the expiration of that period he embarked in the nursery business on his own account, conducting an enterprise of that character at London, Ontario, in association with his brother for four years. At the end of that time he sold his interest to his brother and went to the state of Washington, where he again embarked upon an independent busi- ness career as a nurseryman. One year later he admitted to partnership M. McDonald, who has remained his associate continuously since. After two years they came to Salem, Oregon, in August, 1892, and purchased what is known as the Oregon Nursery, conducting the same until 1909. In that year they bought the present site of Orenco, Oregon, laying out and naming the town. Here they established a nursery covering eleven hundred acres and have since developed and improved the same until it is now one of the largest and most complete in the United States. The business is conducted under the name of the Oregon Nursery Company, which owns the town site of Orenco. This little town lies within twelve miles of Portland and now has a population of one thousand.

On the 22d of March, 1893, Mr. McGill was united in marriage to Miss Blanch Irish, a native of Dresden, Ontario, and a daughter of Egbert and Charity Irish, who were like- wise born in Ontario. The father has passed away but the mother is still living. They had five children, four of whom yet survive. Unto our subject and his wife has been born one son, Wayne E., whose natal day was March 20, 1900.

In politics Mr. McGill is a stanch republi- can but his aspirations have not been in the line of office holding. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of

Foresters, while his religious faith is that of the Presbyterian church, to which his wife also belongs. His life has been one of dili- gence and activity, and throughout his entire career he has possessed that determination of character which has enabled him to over- come all obstacles and difficulties and work his way steadily upward. He has never made a false or mistaken move in business and his career illustrates the idea of learning one business and following it to the exclusion of all others. His salient characteristics are those which in every land and clime awaken confidence and good will, and today the circle of his friends is only limited by the circle of his acquaintances.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

The centennial history of Oregon, 1811-1912, Part 109

Author: Gaston, Joseph, 1833- Publication date: 1912 Publisher: Chicago, The S.J. Clarke publishing company Number of Pages: 1072

Author: Gaston, Joseph, 1833-
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago, The S.J. Clarke publishing company
Number of Pages: 1072