The centennial history of Oregon, 1811-1912, Part 151

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

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JESSE LOONEY

MRS. JESSE LOONEY

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a farm near the old homestead. He was ever actuated by a high moral purpose and principles of honor and integrity and his last words to his children as he was entering "the valley of the shadow of death" were: "Do right, be honorable and truthful." That had been the motto which he had closely followed throughout his entire career, mak- ing him a man whom to know was to esteem and honor. His widow survived him until May 7, 1900, passing away at the advanced age of ninety-two years. She was one of the most widely known women in western Oregon, possessing marked strength of char- acter and admirable qualities which won her the esteem and friendship of all who knew her in the days which elapsed from 1843, when with her husband and little children, she came to make her home in the wilder- ness of the west, to the time of her demise almost a half century later. The sterling couple commanded the respect of all with whom they came in contact and their life records may well serve as an example to chil- dren and to all who knew them.

E. E. QUICK is engaged in the abstract business in St. Helen. Formerly he was prominent in educational circles and has also been a leading figure in public service, hav- ing filled a number of local offices with credit to himself and satisfaction to his con- stituents. He was born in Franklin county, Indiana, November 8, 1852. His father, David O. Quick, also a native of that coun- ty, was born in July, 1832, and in early manhood engaged in teaching but regarded this merely as an initial step to other pro- fessional labor. He took up the study of law and after a thorough preliminary course of reading was admitted to the bar of Illi- nois, where he engaged for some years in active practice. Thinking to find still bet- ter opportunities in the new and growing west, he crossed the plains with a team of horses to Oregon in 1862, making the jour- ney with a large train of about fifty wagons, the party traveling thus for protection. After reaching his destination Mr. Quick en- gaged in the milling business in Washing- ton county, Oregon, for fifteen years, after which he went to Polk county, where he fol- lowed farming and later also carried on gen- eral agricultural pursuits in Linn county, where his death subsequently occurred. He took up a homestead claim of one hundred and sixty acres in Washington county and in addition purchased about two hundred and fifty acres of timber land. While he was an active and progressive business man he also found time for cooperation in public affairs and held to high ideals of citizenship. He rep- resented Washington county for one term in the state legislature and gave to each question which came up for settlement his careful consideration. He was also post- master at Mountaindale for seventeen years and discharged every public duty which de- volved upon him in a most capable and con- scientious manner. He was never open to criticism and was strictly temperate in habits. never using liquor or tobacco. He Vol. IV-41

had a brother, Madison Quick, who was a soldier in the Civil war. The mother of E. E. Quick bore the maiden name of Sarah M. Updike and died when her son, the only child of that marriage, was but four years of age. She was a daughter of Benjamin Updike and a representative of a very old family, whose ancestry can be traced back to 1200. The name at times has been spelled Opdyke. One of the family, Emerson Up- dike, was a general in the Revolutionary war and of Holland descent. It was in his honor that Emerson E. Quick, of this review, was named. After losing his first wife David O. Quick was united in marriage to Permelia E. Young, and they became the parents of four sons and three daughters, all living in Oregon. The death of the father occurred in December, 1910. He left to his family the priceless heritage of an untarnished name and his record is a most creditable one on the pages of Oregon's his- tory.

E. E. Quick was a lad of nine years when the family came to the northwest, and in the common schools of this city he pursued his education until he entered the Pacific University at Forest Grove. Later he de- voted ten years to teaching in the public schools and in 1882 became thus connected with the schools of St. Helen. He mani- fested marked ability in that direction, im- parting readily, concisely and impressively to others the knowledge which he had ac- quired. His excellent work in that direc- tion led to his election to the office of coun- ty superintendent, in which position he served for three terms, during which time many needed improvements were made in the public school system, and the efficiency of the schools greatly promoted. During that time he also took up a homestead in Columbia county about four miles west of St. Helen and began the development of his farm. In 1888 he was again called to public office, being elected county clerk, which posi- tion he filled until 1894, retiring from the office as he had entered it-with the confidence and good-will of all concerned. On putting aside the duties of that position he pur- chased an interest in the Columbia County Abstract Company, of which he has since been president. He was again called from private life to public office in 1910 and through that and the succeeding year filled the position of county treasurer, but he pre- fers to concentrate his time and energies upon the abstract business, in which he is rapidly acquiring a large clientele. The ap- preciation of his fellow townsmen for his worth, ability and fidelity in public office, however, has led to his being called upon again and again for public service. He has been president of the city council for two terms, has been school director and school clerk and has also been custodian of the city finances. having been elected to the of- fice of treasurer. He is a well known ad- vocate of republican principles. fearless in defense of what he believes to be right.

On the 16th of November, 1881, Mr. Quick was married to Miss Sarah M. Linegar and

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they became the parents of four children but lost two in infancy. The living daugh- ters are Alice L. and Annie M. Mr. Quick belongs to the Masonic fraternity, holding membership in the lodge, chapter and the Order of the Eastern Star. He likewise be- longs to the Knights of Pythias and the Order of the Knights of Khorassan, and his wife is connected with the Pythian Sisters and with the Eastern Star. They are also members of the Methodist church and their honorable, upright lives secure for them the kindly regard and high respect of all with whom they have been associated. The work of Mr. Quick has been particularly helpful as a factor in public progress here and his labors have been of essential worth in up- holding the intellectual and moral standard of the community as well as its business development.

JOHN NAHBAUR. Among the honored representatives of Austria who have taken advantage of the opportunities offered by the new world is John Nahbaur, who is the owner of a fine one hundred sixty acre farm in Josephine county, near Grants Pass, which he obtained from the government of the United States, and upon which he has made his home for many years. He labors early and late to improve his property, lives in a good house, has one of the finest barns in the neighborhood and owns much excellent farm equipment. He was born in Austria, Decem- ber 22, 1850, a son of Joe and Anne (Baur) Nahbaur, being one of six children in his par- ents' family. Owing to a weakness in one of his eyes, Mr. Nahbaur was not compelled to do military service in his native country, as is the custom. He received a good com- mon-school education in Austria, and emi- grated to the new world in 1880, he and one brother being the only representatives of the family to come to the United States. He settled in Illinois, reaching that state, March 22, 1880. His first employment was as a laborer, and after remaining in the Prairie state for seven years he removed to Oregon in 1887, where he immediately settled upon the beautiful and valuable tract of land which he now owns. All of the improvements on the property were made by him and manifest his enterprise and skill. He carries on gen- eral farming, specializing in raising fruit, grain and hay.

John Nahbaur is a republican. He is an earnest and consistent member of the Cath- olic church. He belongs to the Foresters, and takes an active interest in that order. Mr. Nahbaur has long been recognized as one of the valued and influential citizens of his community and enjoys a reputation for in- tegrity and honest dealing.

JOHN A. NELSON. A study of biog- raphies of successful men shows that ad- verse conditions cannot dampen the ardor or smother the ambition of the one who feels within himself the possibilities of success. He allows no obstacles to cast him down and he does not hesitate to cross the ocean or continent or even to go to the ends of the

earth provided his judgment bids him under- take the venture. John A. Nelson, a success- ful citizen of Warren, belongs to the class briefly outlined. He fearlessly started upon his quest of fortune when only eighteen years of age and although many difficulties lay in the way he resolutely persevered and is now the owner of a farm of one hundred and ten acres and also has developed a flour- ishing dairy business. He was born in Swe- den, August 24, 1869, a son of Nels and Alma Nelson, both of whom were born in Sweden. The mother died in her native country and the father is still living at the old home. There were nine children in their family, six of whom are living.

John A. Nelson received advantages of education in the schools of his native coun- try. Having decided to become a citizen of the great American republic, he bade farewell to friends and familiar scenes and in 1887 sailed for America. He spent one year at St. Paul, Minnesota, but then pro- ceeded westward to Portland and has ever since been a citizen of Oregon. After ac- quiring the necessary capital he purchased the farm where he now lives and has made many improvements thereon. He has forty acres under cultivation and the fields yield bountiful harvests each year. He has made a specialty of dairying and as he under- stands this business thoroughly, his efforts have met with a goodly reward. He is known as one of the experts in this line in Columbia county and each year witnesses an increase in his prosperity.

On the 2d of July, 1892, Mr. Nelson was married to Miss Margaret Downing, a native of Nevada and a daughter of John Downing. The father is still living but the mother is deceased. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Nelson, namely: Guy, Lester, Herbert, Mildred, Paul and Florence. As the head of a promising and growing family Mr. Nelson has set an example of industry, sobriety and persistence which is well worthy of imitation by his children and by all who aspire to accomplish worthy aims. In the years when it was necessary to practice economy he did so but he and his family are now abundantly supplied with all the desir- able comforts and conveniences of life. Politically he gives his support to the repub- lican party and religionsly adheres to the, faith of the Swedish Lutheran church. He and his wife are numbered among the highly respected members of the community.

ALVANE CARY SEELY, M. D., has been specializing in diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat in Roseburg since 1905 and dur- ing the time has become recognized as one of the most able and competent physicians in his line in Douglas county. Scientific efficiency is the standard of attainment in modern medicine and it is the secret of Dr. Seely's success as a specialist. He has gained his knowledge of the details of his profession not only by hard study but also by experi- ence in its various phases and is today one of the most capable, expert and practical physicians in the section in which he resides.

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THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF OREGON

His residence in Oregon dates from 1904, in which year he came to Myrtle Creek. He was born January 6, 1870, in Carysville, Cham- paign county, Ohio, and is a son of Samuel M. and Sarah D. (Kirby) Seely, both natives of that state. His ancestry on both sides dates back to colonial times in America. Representatives of his family came to White Plains, New York, from England about three hundred years ago and at the same time a younger son of this branch went to Ireland, where he gained distinction in law and finally became a judge. It is probable that Dr. Seely is a descendant of this branch of the family. On the maternal side he claims descent from the Hanoverian royal family. His grandfather, Rev. Rockwell Henry Seely, was a native of New York city and in his later years moved to Ohio. His mother's father was also a minister, Rev. John M. Kirby, who was born in Ohio and spent his entire life in that state.

Dr. Seely was reared at home and attended the public schools of Champaign county. He later entered the medical department of the University of Cincinnati, graduating with the degree of M. D. in 1893. He located im- mediately for practice in Rosewood, Ohio, where he remained until 1899, after which he was active for one year in the United States transportation service. He was surgeon in the Northern Steamship service until the year 1904, doing duty for a portion of that time under the British flag. He has crossed the ocean twenty-eight times. Mr. Seely's resi- dence in Oregon dates from 1904, in which year he settled in Myrtle Creek, where he remained a short time in order to secure his state diploma. In January, 1905, he came to Roseburg and established a practice specializing in the treatment of the eye, ear, nose and throat. He is a firm believer in the modern idea of specialization and has supplemented his broad general knowledge of medicine by constant study in the par- ticular phases of his profession in which he is most interested. He has become recognized as one of the most able men in this line in the city and has won in the course of a few years a success, which is the natural result of his efficiency. For some time he held the position of railroad surgeon, doing able and conscientious work in this capacity. He is a member of the Pacific Railway's Medical Association and surgeon for the Southern Pacific Railroad. He is also a member of the Oregon State Medical Society, of which organization he was the first vice president. He has just completed a term of service as president of the Southern Oregon Medical Association and is active in the affairs of the American Medical Association.

On June 7, 1905, Dr. Seely was united in marriage to Miss Florence De Lacey Hall, of Myrtle Creek, a daughter of John and Sus- anne (Weaver) Hall, natives of Ohio, of whom further mention is made elsewhere in this work. To Dr. and Mrs. Seely has been born a son, Hall, whose birth occurred in Portland, November 17, 1907.

Dr. Seely gave his political allegiance in former days to the democratic party but has

later advocated republican principles and ideas. He is absorbed in the duties of his profession and neither seeks nor desires pub- lic office. Fraternally he is prominent in the Masonic order, holding membership in the lodge and chapter. He is well known in the affairs of Philetarian Lodge, No. 8, I. O. O. F., and Union Encampment, No. 9. He belongs also to White Lilly Lodge, No. 449, of the Rebekahs, being a charter member of this organization in Ohio. He also affiliates with Roseburg Lodge, No. 326, B. P. O. E. He has many friends in this section of the state, who have been attracted to him by his gen- uine personal worth and his ability and con- scientiousness in the practice of his profes- sion. He has a steady hand, a concentrated mind and a skill based upon technique and science, and upon his possession of these qualities he has founded a substantial pros- perity.

GEORGE T. BRICKELL, who is meeting with gratifying returns from the operation of his farm of eighty acres, four and a half miles northwest of Sherwood, has been a resident of this county almost all of his life. He was born in Tillamook county in 1868 and is a son of Thomas and Frances (Albee) Brickell. The father whose birth occurred in 1824, was a native of Kentucky, coming to California in 1849, and as he had been given the advantages of a good education, engaged in teaching school in that state for several years. From there he came to Washington county, Oregon, teaching in various places, among them being Forest Grove and Reeds- ville, and then went to Tillamook county. About a year after his marriage, coming back to Washington county, he settled on one hundred and sixty acres of land, now known as the Newman place, in the vicinity of Sher- wood, which he successfully operated until his death in 1875. The mother was born in New Hampshire in 1850, but when a child of two years she crossed the plains to Oregon with her parents, who made the long journey from New England with wagon and ox team. The father settled on a half section of land in this county, near the farm where Mr. and Mrs. Brickell spent the latter years of their lives. Their marriage occurred on the old Albee homestead, at which time she was eighteen years of age and he was forty. Very soon thereafter they removed to Tilla- mook county, where he taught about a year and then returned to Washington county, where they remained until their death. To . Mr. and Mrs. Brickell there were born three sons: George T., our subject, who is the eld- est; James L., a resident of Portland; and William H., who is living at the present time in Alaska.

Reared at home, George T. Brickell re- ceived a common-school education and began to earn his own living at a very early age. He was employed in a sawmill for about five or six years. He then located on eighty acres of land that had formerly belonged to his father-in-law, and has since turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, of which he has a thorough, practical knowledge. He

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has brought about forty acres of this land under high cultivation and has a small or- chard, while the remainder of his land is prin- cipally devoted to the raising of hay, grain and potatoes and until quite recently he also engaged in dairying. Mr. Brickell's place is one of the attractive and valuable properties in this vicinity. The buildings are substan- tially constructed and well repaired, the grounds surrounding the residence tastefully arranged and everything about the premises bespeaks the capable supervision and care- ful regard for details that invariably accom- pany prosperity.

Mr. Brickell was married on the place where he now resides, in 1890, to Miss Maggie J. Gustin, and to them have been born two children, both of whom are living at home. They are: Montie C., who was born in 1891, obtained a common-school education and is assisting his father with the operation of the farm; and Laurel M., who was born in 1892, also finished common school and is now staying home.

His political prerogatives Mr. Brickell ex- ercises in support of the men and measures of the republican party and he has given efficient service in both the capacity of road supervisor and school director. He is one of the progressive citizens of the community, who takes an active interest in all matters of public welfare and exercises his influence in promoting the development of every worthy movement that promises the better- ment of local conditions or the elevation of civic standards.

ALFRED EVAN REAMES. Among the honored and capable sons of Oregon few have acquired a more distinguished reputation or have achieved greater success than Alfred Evan Reames of Medford. Highly educated as a lawyer and for many years a practi- tioner of his profession, he early in his career attained honorable political preferment and as such became widely known in his native state. Identified with many of the leading business enterprises of Medford, where he resides, he is popular among her leading pro- fessional and business men. Mr. Reames was born in Jacksonville, Oregon, February 5, 1870, a son of Thomas G. Reames, who was an early settler of Jacksonville. The paternal grandfather, Woodford Reames, settled in Oregon in 1853. With his family he crossed the plains with ox teams and on arriving in Oregon he took up a donation land claim in Jackson county. This farm comprised three hundred and twenty acres and he lived upon it for many years but before his death re- tired to Jacksonville and there passed away at the age of eighty-five years. He was by trade a blacksmith.

The father was but a boy when the family removed to Oregon. He remained under the parental roof until he attained his majority and then engaged in the general mercantile business in several places in the state, after- ward becoming identified with the banking business as a member of the firm of Beek- man & Reames of Jacksonville. In 1885 he was appointed by President Cleveland as

postal inspector for Oregon, Idaho, Washing- ton, Montana and Alaska but resigned his position after eighteen months' service. In 1874 he was appointed deputy sheriff of Jackson county and in 1887 he was elected sheriff of the same county, serving for one term. Being a prominent democrat, he was in 18,78 nominated for the position of secre- tary of state but on account of the prepon- derance of the opposition, was defeated by a small majority. He served as state and county committeeman at various times and was well known in political circles through- out the state of Oregon. Mr. Reames chose as his life companion and helpmate Miss Lucinda Williams, a native of Missouri, and together they shared life's joys and sorrows until 1900, when Mr. Reames passed away.

A member of a family of ten children, Alfred E. Reames was educated in the com- mon schools of Jacksonville and in 1888 and 1889 attended the University of Pacific at San Jose, California. The following three years he spent as a student in the University of Oregon, where he took a short preparatory course for the purpose of fitting himself to take up the study of law. In 1892 he entered Washington and Lee University of Lexing- · ton, Virginia, from which he was graduated in 1893. Having completed his law course, he returned to Oregon and entered upon the practice of his profession with Eugene Skip- worth, of Eugene. In 1894 he went to Port- land, in which city he was associated in practice with C. M. Idleman, who later be- came attorney general of the state. Return- ing to Jacksonville in the fall of 1896, he formed a law partnership with William M. Colvig, with whom he remained associated until 1900, when the partnership was dis- solved. In that year Mr. Reames was elected district attorney for Jackson, Josephine, Kla- math and Lake counties on the democratic ticket, receiving a majority of four hundred and eighty-nine votes, although the counties went republican by a majority of seven hun- dred and fifty. Upon the death of his father- in-law, the late Congressman Tongue, in 1903, Mr. Reames received the democratic nomination for congress from the first con- gressional district. He is identified with many of the leading enterprises of his com- munity. He owns a controlling interest in the Deep Gravel Mining Company, being secretary of that corporation; is president of the Three Pines Timber Company, which owns ten thousand acres of land in Jackson and Josephine counties; and in Jacksonville he built and owns the city lighting plant, the only one in existence in that part of the state. He owns one of the finest libraries in his county, an acquisition which has stood him in good stead in his long and successful professional career.

In 1895 Mr. Reames was married to Miss Edith L. Tongue, who was born in Hillsboro, Washington county, Oregon, August 26, 1871, a daughter of the late Congressman Thomas H. Tongue. Fraternally Mr. Reames is a member of the Masonic order, belonging to Chapter No. 4, R. A. M., of Oregon; Com- mandery No. 1, K. T., of Portland; and Al

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Kader Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Port- land. He is affiliated with the Pine Cabin Native Sons of Oregon, and he is also a mem- ber of Pocahontas Tribe, No. 1. I. O. R. M. The city of Medford is fortunate in having among its citizens so capable, honorable and successful a man as the subject of this re- view. He takes an active interest in many matters of import which concern the business and social life of his city and may always be counted upon to put his shoulder to the wheel in encouraging and promoting new in- dustries and of interesting parties to locate here. He is actively associated with the movement which has for its purpose to at- tract population toward this city and has been successful to promote the growth of his community along that line. He is popu- lar in fraternal circles as well as in his busi- ness and social connections and there are few men in his city who are more widely or favorably known. His many estimable traits of character together with his geniality and warm cordiality have won for him an ex- tended list of friends and with them he is a prime favorite. He is a valuable man in the community, of which he is a foremost member and his career, of which he may justly be proud, has given him an extended acquaintance throughout the state.

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The centennial history of Oregon, 1811-1912, Part 151

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