The centennial history of Oregon, 1811-1912, Part 128

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

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FRED S. WEATHERLY is carrying on general farming and stock-raising on two hundred and sixteen acres of land in Doug- las county, Oregon, and his intelligent activ- ity has brought his property to a high state of cultivation and has ranked him among expert breeders of high-grade cattle. Mr. Weatherly is a native son of Oregon and was born on the old Weatherly homestead three miles south of Elkton in Douglas county, March 1, 1869. He is a son of An-

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THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

sel and Sarah (Davis) Weatherly. His father was born in New York, but subse- quently removed with his parents to Illi- nois and, while still a boy, crossed the plains to Oregon in the Dimmick caravan, landing in this state in 1852. Here he completed his education and grew to manhood. He married in Douglas county and took up a homestead claim, upon which he resided for a number of years. He eventually sold his original property and removed to the dona- tion claim which at one time belonged to Asa Wells, who was his wife's maternal grandfather and one of the early settlers of Oregon. This property is located two miles south of Elkton, and the elder Mr. Weather- ly gave his entire time and attention to its scientific cultivation until his death in August, 1889, when he was more than sixty years of age.

Fred Weatherly was reared at home and was educated in the public schools of Doug- las county. When he was eighteen years of age he began farming for himself as a renter. He married in 1890 and in the same year bought eighty acres which now form a part of his present holdings. He began the cultivation of his soil and soon had his property highly developed and improved. Two years after his original purchase he bought an adjoining one hundred and thirty- six acres and is now the proprietor of two hundred and sixteen acres of productive farm land in Oregon. Upon this he carries on general farming and specializes in the breeding and raising of high-grade horses and cattle. He is an expert judge of live stock and has gained a reputation in this line of activity.

Mrs. Weatherly was in her maidenhood Miss Esther McCollum, of Kellogg, Douglas county, and a daughter of John B. McCol- lum, who came from Missouri to Oregon in 1872. Mrs. Weatherly has been an active aid to her husband in his rapidly successful career and has many friends in the district in which she lives. She is a member of the Christian church of Elkton and is active in religious circles. In his political views Mr. Weatherly is a consistent republican but has never sought public office. He belongs to Elkton Lodge, No. 132, I. O. O. F., and is also a member of Elkton Lodge, No. 5786, M. W. A. His career has always been up- right and honorable and in its activities he has always been actuated by high standards acquired in his youth. He realizes that the development of his section is directly de- pendent upon the success of its individual citizens, and he welcomes his personal pros- perity as a factor in county and state ex- pansion.

JAMES PHILLIPPE TAMIESIE, M. D. The activities of Dr. James Phillippe Tamie- sie cover a wide range, for he is not only a successful physician and surgeon but is also engaged in dairying, is connected with bank- ing and is the owner of valuable real estate. In all business ventures and investments he manifests sound and discriminating judgment and carries forward to successful completion

whatever he undertakes. His worth as a business man and citizen is widely acknowl- edged in Hillsboro, Washington county, where he has made his home since 1892. He was born in Pottawattamie county, Iowa, Novem- ber 14, 1861, a son of Jean Batiste Tamiesie, who was a native of Syracuse, New York, The grandfather was one of the French colon- ists to establish the salt works of Onondaga county, New York, and in early life Jean Batiste Tamiesie became connected with the business of that place but later turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits. After leaving the Empire state when a young man, he removed westward to Iowa, and after residing there for a considerable period, came to Oregon in 1879. Here he took up con- tracting and farming and purchased a tract of land in Washington county, which he carefully and successfully cultivated up to the time of his death, which occurred in 1910. His wife bore the maiden name of Phillipene Goffette, and was born of French parentage, although her birth occurred across the border in Belgium. By her marriage she became the mother of ten children, eight of whom are living: John Henry, a mechanical engineer of this city; James P .; Marie; Victor J., living in Oregon; Augustus E., who is the first assistant physician in the insane asylum at Salem; George W., a practicing physician of Portland; Katherine, the wife of William Reiling, of Hillsboro; and Joseph, a dentist, now practicing in Portland.

When about six years of age Dr. Tamiesie became a pupil in the public schools of Iowa and after coming to Oregon with his parents, studied at home, using his leisure hours to improve his knowledge. He was trained to habits of industry and economy upon the old homestead and early became fa- miliar with the best methods of tilling the soil. However, he made substantial progress in his studies and when twenty-three years of age began teaching, proving quite capable in that profession. The money acquired through his work in the schoolroom enabled him to continue his own education in 1885, at which time he was matriculated in the Oregon State University, being there gradu- ated from the medical department with the class of 1889. Subsequently he pursued a post-graduate course in Bellevue College Hos- pital at New York, after which he returned to the northwest and located in Washington, near Spokane, as physician and surgeon for the Northern Pacific Railway Company. For two years he occupied that position and in 1892 came to Hillsboro, where he entered upon the general practice of medicine and surgery. His careful preparation has made him well qualified for the work that he has under- taken and since beginning practice he has con- tinued a close student of the science of medi- cine and by reading and investigation has kept in touch with the advanced work of the most prominent members of the profession. He has also proven himself a capable busi- ness man in other connections and is now operating a dairy farm three miles north of Hillsboro, while in the Big Bend country in Grant county, Washington, he owns two

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wheat ranches. It was Dr. Tamiesie who or- ganized the first condensed milk factory in the state of Oregon and on the 12th of De- cember, 1903, was made the first can of con- densed milk in this state. The business was originally his individual enterprise but later was incorporated and conducted under com- pany management for four years. At the end of that time, owing to the pressure of other business interests, Dr. Tamiesie disposed of nis holdings in the factory to good advantage. He is a director in the Shute Savings and American National Bank and is the owner of considerable valuable real estate, including an addition to Hillsboro in the south part of the city called the South Park addition. He also erected and yet owns the Washington Hotel, a three-story structure fifty by one hundred feet, being built of reinforced concrete. The grounds cover a quarter of a block and the hotel is most conveniently arranged for the comfort and welfare of guests. Dr. Tamiesie also owns the block of buildings in which his office is located and his realty holdings are the visible evidence of an active business life in which labor and careful investment have brought substantial and gratifying returns.

In January, 1890, occurred the marriage of Dr. Tamiesie and Miss Ruth A. Wilcox, who was born in Reno, Nevada, a daughter of J. W. and Susanah (Gill) Wilcox, the for- mer a stock-raiser and farmer. Unto the Doctor and his wife have been born two children, Lura Babette and Kenneth Leon. The parents are prominent socially and have an extensive circle of warm friends in Hills- boro, where the hospitality of the best homes is freely accorded them. In his po- litical views Dr. Tamiesie is an earnest re- publican, believing that the principles of the party are best calculated to conserve the best interests of good government. He is chairman of the school board for the dis- trict of Hillsboro, is well known in various fraternal organizations, including the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Artisans, and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in and support of the Congre- gational church. His has been a well spent and uscful life, of worth to his fellowmen as well as to himself, and the talent and ability which he has displayed as a physi- cian and surgeon, are equally balanced by the resourcefulness and capability which he has manifested in the management of in- dustrial and financial interests.

WILLIAM HENRY DRAKE, who is living retired in Silverton, is one of the largest tax payers and most extensive property owners in this section of Marion county. He was born in Ohio on the 6th of April, 1847, and is a son of John M. and Elizabeth (Thomp- son) Drake, the father a native of Penn- sylvania and the mother of Ohio. Both fam- ilies are of English extraction, the paternal forefathers being direct descendants of Sir Francis Drake. Mr. and Mrs. Drake were married in Ohio, in 1846, and to them were born the following children, of whom our subject is the eldest: John T., of Markham,

Oregon; Charles W., deceased; one, who died in infancy; Emma J., the widow of Alexander Ross, of Portland; Francis, who is also de- ceased; and Ellie J., the widow of Roscoe Langley.

As he was only a child of five years when hc accompanied his parents on their removal to Oregon, practically the entire life of Wil- liam Henry Drake has been passed in this statc. The journey from Ohio to St. Joseph, Missouri, was made by water and from there the family crossed the plains with wagon and ox teams. They arrived in The Dalles too late in the autumn to cross the mountains, so they went down the river below the Cas- cades and finally reached Oregon City in the early winter. That first year they encoun- tered all of the hardships and privations in- cident to pioneering, not only finding it dif- ficult to provide feed and shelter for their stock, but having a desperately hard strug- gle at times to procure food for themselves. In the spring the father filed on a donation claim of three hundred and twenty acres in the southern part of Clackamas county, a portion of which is now the property of John T. Drake, a brother of our subject. Here William Henry Drake was reared to manhood and was given the rudiments of a common-school education. When he was seventeen he left home to become a wage earner and during the first year engaged at any work that came to hand. At the ex- piration of that period he apprenticed him- self to the blacksmith's trade, following this occupation for twenty-five years. In 1890, he disposed of his business and invested in a ranch, beginning with a tract of one hun- dred and twenty acres. Later he increased his holdings by addition of another one hun- dred and sixty acres and he subsequently bought another tract of two hundred and forty acres. His home is located on a twelve- acre tract in Silverton, and all the remainder of his property adjoins this. For fifteen years he was successfully engaged in the cul- tivation of his land, but in 1905 he withdrew from agricultural pursuits and is now rent- ing his property, with the exception of the twelve acres which comprise the home place.

For his wife and helpmate, Mr. Drake chose Miss Lavina H. Small, a native of In- diana and a daughter of Isaac and Esther Ann (Campbell) Small. The parents of Mrs. William H. Drake were natives of Ohio and were married in Indiana, where the father followed farming. In 1854 they came to Oregon, settling in Marion county, where Isaac Small continued in his former occupa- tion until he removed to Silverton, where he engaged in carpenter work in later years. Both parents passed away in Marion county. Of nine children born to them, seven are now living, namely: Ellwood, Mrs. Drake, Cal- vin, Sarah Woolford, Isaac, Ada Mathais and Hettie. William H. Drake has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since 1875, and his father was likewise affiliated with this order, having been a charter member of Multnomah Lodge, No. 1. A. F. & A. M .. of Oregon City. Mr. Drake is also identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

MR. AND MRS. W. H. DRAKE

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THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

His political support is given to the repub- lican party and he has always taken an ac- tive interest in municipal affairs. He as- sisted in incorporating the city and had the distinction of being a member of the first council. Progressive and enterprising in his ideas with high standards of citizenship, he has made many stanch friends here during the long period of his residence in Marion county, and is accorded the esteem and re- spect that is always paid to men of integri- ty and good principles.

HON. ARCHIE J. JOHNSON. "Thrift of time," said William E. Gladstone, "will re- pay you in after life with a usury of profit beyond your most sanguine dreams, and waste of it will make you dwindle alike in intellectual and moral stature beyond your darkest reckoning." This statement finds verification in the record of Archie J. Johnson, who in all of his life seems to have improved every opportunity that has presented itself nor wasted a moment that might be advantageously used. He has dis- played both initiative spirit and a genius for organization and, never fearing to ven- ture where favoring opportunity led the way, has reached a commanding position among the citizens of Benton county. One interest alone does not indicate the scope of his activities, for his efforts have extended to many lines, covering agricultural, commer- cial, industrial and financial interests, and aside from all these fields, in which his labors have brought him profit, he has put forth effective efforts for the benefit and upbuilding of his city and state and, both as public official and private citizen, has cooperated largely and generously where the general welfare of the community has been involved. He has held the highest positions in the gift of his city and county and in each instance has fully justified the confi- dence reposed in him by his fellow citizens.

One of Oregon's native sons, he was born in Marion county, three miles northwest of Jefferson, on the 18th of September, 1867, a son and a grandson of pioneers. His paternal grandfather, Hiram Alvah John- son, was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, February 18, 1819, and in early life removed to the middle west, making his home in Illinois until 1847. In that year he joined those sturdy men who turned their faces toward the great northwest, deter- mined to seek homes and fortunes in the wild and uncultivated territory which held out rich promises to the ambitious and reso- lute. Crossing the plains with ox teams, he made his way to Marion county, Oregon, tak- ing up a donation claim near Jefferson, con- sisting of six hundred and forty acres. The succeeding twenty-eight years were passed by him either on that farm or as a resident of the town of Jefferson, carrying on general merchandising in that city. for six years. At the expiration of that period he removed to Salem, and that remained his place of residence until the time of his death, in February, 1896, when he was seventy-seven years of age. His wife passed away two Vol. IV-35

years later. He gave his political support to the republican party and for twelve years served as justice of the peace at Salem, while his religious faith was that of the Christian church. In his family were eight children of whom seven grew to maturity while six, five sons and one daughter, are living.

John Charles Johnson, the son of Hiram Johnson and the father of our subject, was born while his parents were residing in Illinois, his birth occurring on May 29, 1842. After the family home was estab- lished in Oregon he continued on his father's farm until 1869, in which year he purchased a tract of one thousand acres located three miles north of Scio, in Linn county, and there began business on his own account, engaging in farming and stock-raising and meeting with excellent success. His time was thus occupied until the year 1874, when he entered the general mercantile business in Scio in partnership with J. J. Brown, this relation- ship maintaining for one year. Later the firm of Johnson Brothers was established, but at the end of four years John C. John- son sold his interest and for two years lived retired, after which he again entered the business world as a partner of Riley Shelton. After four years thus spent he once more retired, but at the end of another four years, in 1889, joined his son Archie J., with whom he operated for one year. Sell- ing his interests at the expiration of that time to Ross E. Hibler, he removed to Salem in the fall of 1890, where he still maintains his residence. In 1864 he married Miss Violetta Gunsaules, who was born in Indiana in 1844, a daughter of Manuel Gunsaules, who was a native of Pennsyl- vania, whence he later moved to Ohio. At the age of fifteen years he took up his residence in Illinois, which remained his home until the year 1851, when he crossed the plains with his family, locating about a mile and a half east of Jefferson, in Marion county, Oregon. There he secured a donation claim upon which he spent his remaining years, his death occurring in 1878, when he was sixty-four years of age.

To Mr. and Mrs. John C. Johnson seven children were born, and of the five who sur- vive Archie J., of this review, was the second in order of birth. His preliminary education was received in the common schools, and after completing the course therein taught, he entered the Portland Business Col- lege, in the fall of 1885. He was a particu -- larly apt student, his record in that institution being remarkable, as he completed the course in less time than had any preced- ing pupil. He had early displayed marked business ability, having at the age of four- teen years become clerk in a general store at Scio, performing the duties of that posi- tion in connection with the acquirement of his education. At the age of sixteen years he entered the employ of Johnson & Shelton in the capacity of bookkeeper and head sales- man, and ably and faithfully served the interests of that firm until the year 1887, when he became time keeper for the Oregon

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THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

Pacific Railway Company, but withdrew from that connection to identify himself with iner- cantile pursuits in Scio. In the spring of 18SS he went to Seattle, Washington, and there engaged in the real-estate business during the succeeding year and a half, after which he returned to Scio and joined his father in the operation of a general mercantile store. Later he continued in the same line of business in partnership with Mr. Hibler and in 1891 sold his interest, removing, in January of the following year, to Salem. That city remained his home until November of that year, when he once more returned to Scio and in connection with T. J. Munkers purchased the controlling interest in the bank of Scio, assuming the duties of cashier and manager. Two years later he bought out his partner's interest in the bank, becoming its president, his brother, C. V. Johnson, accepting the position as cashier in 1896. A. J. Johnson remained at the head of that institution until the fall of 1900, and in the meantime, in 1895, had purchased a half interest in a flour mill located at Scio, in connection with the operation of which he built up, during the ensuing five years, a large export business in flour. In 1900 he disposed of both industrial and financial interests and bought forty-one hundred and sixty acres of land lying in Benton and Polk counties, upon which, in connection with his brother, C. V. Johnson, and his brother-in-law, J. C. Simpson, he engaged on a large scale in the stock-raising business. He made a specialty of registered stock, including short- horn and Hereford cattle and other high grades of cattle, sheep and goats, and in this line of activity was extremely successful. He also branched out along other lines, in partnership with Ross E. Hibler engaging ex- tensively in buying wools and mohairs throughout the Willamette valley. In 1900 he was appointed national bank examiner for the northwest district, including the states of Oregon, Washington, Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming, but the latter state was detached from his district on the first of April, 1902. In 1906 he resigned this position in order to devote his entire time and attention to the organization of a national bank at Corvallis. He erected the beautiful building which is now the home of the bank and on July, 1907, the Benton County National Bank opened its doors for business. Throughout the interven- ing five years the growth of that enterprise has been remarkable, the volume of its busi- ness having in the meantime reached the six hundred thousand dollar mark. Its capital and surplus amount to seventy-five thousand dollars and its officers are: A. J. Johnson, president; J. F. Yates, vice president; and Floyd E. Bogue and John F. Porter, assistant cashiers. It is one of the strong and sub- stantial moneyed institutions of this part of Oregon, its safe, conservative policy and the character of its personnel having begotten the confidence and trust of the general public, and as its head A. J. Johnson occupies a fore- most position in financial circles in Benton county. In addition to his banking interests he has heavy real-estate investments in Ore-

gon and Washington. He has platted a number of additions to the city of Seattle, and his holdings in this state include prop- erty in Portland, Salem and in Benton county. He is still interested in agricul- tural enterprises, being one of the organizers and a director of the Oregon Apple Company of Benton county, which is developing about one thousand acres in the southern part of the county, and he continues to indulge his fancy for high-grade stock, keeping a fine herd of registered Jersey cattle and Hamp- shire Down sheep on his farm north of Corvallis.

In January, 1888, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss Linnie Young, who was born in Minnesota and came to Oregon in · 1875 with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Young. The mother is now deceased but the father survives at the age of eighty-four years, making his home at Scio. To Mr and Mrs. Johnson have been born six children, namely: Cleo, the wife of J. F. Porter, assistant cashier of the Benton County Na- tional Bank; Zeta; Elmo E .; Darrel D .; Orlo O .; and Wanda. In 1903 Mr. Johnson took up his abode in Corvallis. where he has since resided, and at present is erecting a new home on the corner of Ninth and Harri- son streets, which is one of the finest in the city.

Although the business interests of Archie J. Johnson have been extensive and varied, they have been but one phase in his career, for he has never permitted them to exclude his active participation in other matters which are vital influences in the life of any community. His fraternal relations are with the Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America, his membership in the former being in the subordinate lodge, the encampment and Rebekah lodge, with which he has been identified for many years. He belongs to the First Presbyterian church and for many years served as a member of its board of trustees, of which he is also chair- man. He was also chairman of the building committee which erected the beautiful church edifice here at a cost of thirty thousand dollars. Although . since 1910 he has retired from public life, in former years Mr. Johnson has been one of the most potent forces in the politics of the state, serving on various important committees ond organizing and supporting many needed reforms and improvements. He is a stanch republican and his party has awarded him with many positions of honor and trust. He served as councilman of Scio for two terms, and for one term as mayor of that town. He was school director there for two terms, and was chairman of the board of education when the Scio school building was erected, being one of the promoters of that project. In June, 1894, he was elected to the state senate from Linn county and served for four years, during which period he came into prominence in Oregon as one of the potent forces in state affairs. In 1897 he was the promoter of the bill to tax foreign companies when operating within the limits of the state, but the bill was not brought up for considera-

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THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

tion, owing to the failure to organize the house throughout the entire session. He was a member of the state central committee, for a number of years, and also of the county central committee and in recogni- tion of his great public spirit and sound judgment was called to serve on numer- ous important committees. After taking up his home in Corvallis he was elected to the city council and in 1905 was the peo- ple's choice for mayor, serving in that capacity for two years. He declined a second term, however, in order to again take up the duties of state senator, having been elected to represent Benton county in 1906. During his four years of service in that office he was instrumental in furthering the inter- ests of his county and city in a large measure. Chief among his labors was the fight which he made for an improved municipal water system, whereby the city was supplied with pure mountain water, where formerly the supply had been drawn from the river. This not only proved the best investment the city has ever made but has been the means of saving a large amount of money as well. He was the father of the famous "Jolinson Good Roads" bill, which was of utmost importance in bringing about better road facilities and communications. In fact, matters of local interest find a warm friend in Mr. Johnson, who as an active member and former president of the Commercial Club of Corvallis assisted in bringing to the city many industries and has fostered the growth of many helpful lines of activity. He has been a member of the state board of agriculture for several years and was its president for one year, his interest in agricultural affairs re- maining a matter of keen interest to him. A man of evenly balanced character, it would be difficult to point out any one characteristic as his most pronounced trait, for he stands today as a splendid representa- tive of the successful business man and financier, as well as efficient and faithful public servant, while the principles which govern his private life have ever been such as to command only the highest regard and the unqualified esteem and confidence of his fellowmen.

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The centennial history of Oregon, 1811-1912, Part 128

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