Portland, Oregon - History (part 18 of 18)

Simoiids, of which firm his father was senior member, remaiuiug with them as clerk until 1856, when associating himself with James M. Blossom, he succeeded to the business of the firm, under the firm name of Northrup & Blossom. Through several changes of partners Mr. Northrup continued as leading partner until 1878, when failing health compelled him for a time to retire from business. The house was then under the name of Northrup & Thompson. He then sold out to his partner when the firm of Thompson, DeHart & Co. was established and succeeded to the business which he had for so man}- years conducted, and which is still continued under the firm name of Houeyman, De Hart & Co. A year's rest fully restored his health and he began business anew as a dealer in hardwood, lumber and wagon supplies, in which he continued alone until a few weeks before his death when he associated with him J. G. Chowu and J. Hazeltine. It was while reorganizing his business, after the admission of the partners named, and moving into new quarters that Mr. Northrup met with an accident which caused his death. While busy in arranging his stock, on April 9th, 1883, he accidentally fell through a trap-door, which had been recently cut through the floor, falling a distance of twenty feet and sustaining injuries from which he died a few hours later. The entire community in which he was so well and favorably known was shocked by his sudden death, and the expressions of grief and sj-mpathy were sincere and profound. The public press of the city voiced the sentiments and feelings of all who knew the sterling worth of his character when it said: " He was one of the most valuable of our citizens. He was actuated by a high public spirit, was noted for conscientious devotion to duty in all relations of life, and alwaj'S bore a part iu every movement for promotion of the interest of the community both in a moral and material way. He was one of the men whom the community, which is fortunate to possess them, can least afford to spare." ,

Mr. Northrup died in the prime of life and at the inception of the grand results of a noble and useful career. As a business man he was noted for a high order of ability, united to energy- and strict integrity- which made his name stand as the synonym for commercial honor. He was modest and retiring in disposition and had no taste for public life, and although often importuned by his fellow citizens to occup}- public positions, he always declined. He, however; was a man of great public spirit, and took deep interest in everything pertaining to the best interests of the city materially or morally. The onlj' political office, we believe, he ever accepted was that of delegate to the Republican National Convention of 1880, which nominated the lamented Garfield.

For many \-ears Mr. Xorthup was a consistent and leading member of the Methdist church, belonging to the Taylor street church, where for several years he held the position of trustee. In deeds of charity, cause of temperance and promotion of Christianity, he was a quiet, but earnest and faithful worker. He took a deep interest in the Young Men's Christian Association, and for a long time was one of its managers. He was long one of the publishing committee of the PaciSc Christian Advocate, and at the time of his death a member of the Pacific Advocate Publishing Company.

Mr. Northrup was married in 1856, to Miss Frances C. McNamee, who with five children survive her husband. The children in order of birth are: .\da F., wife of C. A. Mordeu; Clara E., Frank O., Edwin P., and Ellen A. wife of J. Millard Johnson.

Among the adlive and enterprising men, who in the early history of our city organized its institutions and gave charafter to its -government and commercial affairs, none are entitled to more of honor than Mr. Northrup. Unpretentious, a practical business man, his whole life was passed on a high plane, and the influence he exerted was such as flows from a symmetrical, wholesome and Christian charaifler.

GILL, Joseph K, one of Portland's well known business men, was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1841, and is the eldest of eleven children of Mark and Amelia Gill. In 1854 he accompanied his parents to America, locating in Worcester, Massachusets, where he attended the city schools until he had reached the age of eighteen, when he entered Worcester Academy, continuing at this institution but spending most of his time at work to assist in the support of the family, until he had attained his majority. He then entered Wesleyan Academy at Wilbraham, a preparatory school, with the idea of fitting himself for a collegiate course. While pursuing his studies, however, his ej'es failed him, and he was forced for a time to abandon his plan. At Wilbraham he boarded with the wife of Dr. W. H. Wilson, one of the earlier missionaries in Oregon. From her, and also from J. S. Smith and Joseph Holman, of Oregon, whom he met at her home, he learned much of our then young State, which fact added to his haN-ing been advised by his phj-sician that a sea voyage might lie beneficial to his ej-es, led him in 186-t, to come to Oregon by steamer. He located at Salem, where he continued his studies at the Willamette University, and also acted as assistant teacher, under Prof Gatch, then President of that institution. At the end of a year his eyes had become so much improved that he returned to Wilbraham and resumed his studies at Wesleyan Academy. His ej-es, however, soon after again failed him, and he was advised by his ph\'sician that he must abandon the idea of completing a classical education. Having already become far advanced in the English and scientific courses, he thereupon graduated in these branches in June, 1866, being in the same class with Prof E. B. Andrews, who recently was elected President of Brown University'.

After graduating, Mr. Gill returned to Oregon, where in .August following, he was united in marriage to Miss Frances A. Wilson, daughter of the late Dr. W. H. Wilson. At this time he had no intention of remaining in the State, but was induced to take temporary charge of a book store at Salem, owned by Mrs. Wilson. This he did so successfully that he was finally persuaded to embark in business for himself, buying a lot and building a store. He did a prosperous business, but desiring a larger field, he, in 1870, sold out and came to Portland, and in partnership with George A. Steel, bought out the firm of Harris & Holnian, and started a wholesale and retail book and stationery business. They remained together as Gill & Steel until 1878, when Mr. Steel retired and Mr. Gill assumed sole control. Since that time Mr. Gill had for one year another partner, and since 1879 his brother, John Gill, has had a partnership interest in the business, the firm being known as J. K. Gill & Co. From the start this house took a prominent place in the commercial affairs of the Northwest, which succeeding years have only made more conspicuous and now thoroughly recognized. From a trade at first principally retail, it has grown to a wholesale and jobbing trade not exceeded by any like establishment on the Pacific Coast north of San Francisco, Mr. Gill was among the first to recognize Portland's advantages as a distributing point, and during his business career he has contributed his full share towards establishing the present position the city holds as a supply depot for a large extent of country. He was among the first to emancipate the city from its dependence upon San Francisco dealers. He established direct business connection with the largest eastern houses at a time when our merchants almost without exception were being supplied from San Francisco; and from that time to the present has been enabled to successfully compete with San Francisco dealers, making Portland in his line, a depot of supply equal to any point on the coast. Fewmen in his line of trade are better known or held in higher esteem than Mr. Gill. He has applied himself to his lousiness witli a persistency and thoroughness rarely exhibited, and few men in our busy city during the past twenty years have worked with greater industry or more conscientiously. He is methodical to a degree rarely seen in men at the head of an extensive business. He personally attends to every detail, exercising a supervision over every branch of his business, which would be impossible to one without great mental and physical endurance. The business which his industr)' and sagacitj' have built up, therefore, represent perhaps more clearly the individual work of one man than any in Portland.

Although he has almost exclusively devoted his time and attention to his business, he has not failed to take a helping part in public enterprises or such undertakings which seemed likely to advance the material interest of the city. He was one of the incorporators of tlie Columbia River Paper Company, organized in 1884, of which he has ever since been President. He was also one of the incorporators of the Merchants' National Bank, in which he has since been a director', and is also a director in the Oregon Fire and Marine Insurance, and the Northwest Fire and Marine Insurance Companies.

Mr. Gill for many years has been a member of the Methodist Church, and ever since his residence in Portland, has been one of the most zealous church workers. He was one of the incorporators of Grace Methcdist Church, and has since served as President of the Board of Trustees, and as Superintendent of the Sunday- School.

The domestic life of Mr. Gill has been most congenial and happ}'. He has a family of six children - one son and five daughters. His son, Mark Wilson Gill, is a graduate of Wesleyan University, and is now associated with his father in business.

Mr. Gill is indeed a most worthy representative of Portland's business community, and is recognized as one of our most valuable citizens. He has won an honorable name for energy, reliability and integrity, while his efforts have largely contributed to the prosperitv of his city and State.

MULKEV, M.\RI0N Francis, was born in Johnson count\-, Missouri, November 14, 1836, and was a son of Johnson Mulkej'. At the age of teu years he accompanied his parents across the plains to Oregon. The familj' settled on a donation claim in Benton county and here amid the scenes of the frontier the boyhood of our subject was passed. From his parents was instilled in him a desire for an education and after a brief experience in the log school house, luider the tuition of such men as Senator J. H. Slater and Hon. Philip Ritz, he pursued higher studies at Forest Grove, under the guidance of the late Doctor S. H. Marsh. This assistance he supplemented by labors of his own, teaching school during vacations. It was while at school that the Indian war of 1856 broke out; and although then but a boy of eighteen he iomed one of the militar)' companies and remained in service until the Indians were subdued and peace was secured. In 1858, he entered Yale College, having as a companion J. W. Johnson, now president of the University of Oregon. Graduating in 1862, he returned to Portland and commenced the study of law with Judge E. D. Shattuck. While pursuing his legal studies, in 1863, he acted as assistant provost marshal and aided in making the enrollment of that year.

In 1864, he was admitted to the bar, and for some years thereafter was associated as partner with W. Lair Hill, under the firm name of Hill & Mulkey. For his profession he was well equipped, both by thorough preliminarj- study and a naturally logical and accurate mind, and he at once took rank among the old and leading attorneys of the city. So soon did he acquire a reputation in his profession that in

1866 he was elected as prosecuting attorney of the Fourth Judicial District, while confidence in his fitness for public duties was early manifested by his election in

1867 to represent the third ward in the city council. In 1872, he was elected city attorney for Portland and was re-elected in 1873. Upon retirement from the latter office he became associated with Hon. J. F. Caples in the practice of the law, filling the position of deputy during the three successive terms of his partner's service as attorney for the district.

As a lawyer Mr. Mulkey's reputation steadily advanced, and but a short time elapsed afler he began practice until he occupied a place among the ablest men of his profession in the State. Not only was he well versed in the law and possessed a mind broad and quick in its grasp of difficult legal problems, but as a speaker his talents were of a high order compelling the attention of the jurj' by his earnestness, perspecuity and graceful diction. A legal friend of many years has left the following tribute to his memorj- which in a measure reveals the esteem in which he was held by his professional brethren of the bar: "He was a man of tireless energy and perseverance, resolutely and patientlj' working until his object was attained. He had consistency of purpose, prudence and common sense to balance and guide the energj' that impelled him. There was no frittering away of his powers upon alien pleasures or pursuits. In court he was a troublesome antagonist, and one to be feared; for if there was a weak point in the case or a flaw in the logic he would mercilessly expose it. I cannot recollect any act of discourtesy on his part, or any word spoken, even in the heat of conflict that left aught of bitterness behind."

Coming to Portland before it had outgrown the proportions of a good sized hamlet he had the business sagacity to foresee that its geographical position and natural advantages would ultimately cause it to become a great and populous commercial centre. His faith in the place induced him at an early day to make acquisitions of property in and about the city, which he subsequently improved with substantial edifices. These improvements added not a little to the development of the city and have since largelv increa.sed in value. They show the practical side of Wr. Mulkey's nature and the soundness of his business judgment.

The death of Mr. Mulkey occurred February 25, 1889, at a time when he was in the full meridian of his powers and usefulness and at the height of his successes both in his professional and business career. Throughout the State and the Pacific Northwest, where he was well and so favorably known, his death was indeed lamented.

His life had been marked bj- unswerving rectitude in every position he had ever filled in public and private and the public press and the bar of which he had so long been an honored member, expressed in feeling terms the loss of this high minded, public spirited citizen.

He was married in 1862 to Miss Mary E. Porter, of New Haven, Connecticut, who still resides in Portland. They had two sons, Frank, the elder, is an alumnus of the State University and has finished the first year at the law school connected with the University; while the younger, Fred, is being prepared to enter college.

S PAULDING, Wii,i.iAM Wallace, was born at Chalmsford, Massachusetts, near the city of Lowell, iu 1839. He is of English descent, his ancestors having emigrated from England and settled in Chalmsford several generations ago. His earh- life was spent at home on a farm, during which period he received a good common school education which was supplemented by one year's course of instruAion at an academy in Mount Vernon, New Hampshire. After leaving school he went to Boston, where for four years he was employed in a butcher shop. He then purchased his employer's business and conducT.ed it for a 3-ear, when, his health failing, he was forced to abandon it. With the hope of finding a climate more congenial to his health and where he might better his worldly fortune, he and his wife started for the Pacific slope by the way of the Isthmus of Panama, arriving in San Franscico in the spring of 1862. In the following fall he came to Portland, at the time of his arrival not possessing a dollar in the world. Among strangers and without money, with himself and wife to support, his prospects were anything but encouraging, but with a disposition not easily discouraged and a willingness to labor at any honest work which would promise a livelihood, he soon found employment. For one year he was emplo}-ed bv* the firm of Allen & Lewis. He then secured a situation in the meat store of A. H. Johnson and at the end of a few years became a partner in the business under the firm name of Johnson & Spaulding. At the end of six verj- prosperous years Mr. Spaulding retired and for the succeeding fourteen j-ears was engaged in dealing in cattle and pork packing. In these lines he built up a ver\' large business which he conducted with a high degree of success and accumulated a considerable fortune. In 1886, he embarked in a wholesale and retail butchering business which has steadily grown in magnitude until at the present time his annual trade reaches a sum of $100,000.

For several years Mr. Spalding has been largely interested in farming and stock raising, owning a farm of 1,200 acres iu Asotin county, Washington. He is now engaged in raising and breeding horses, at the present time having one hundred head of horses on his farm, but in former years the raising of cattle was extensively carried on, 2,000 being sold from the farm in 1887.

Mr. Spaulding is a diredlor in the Portland Trust Company, and the Pacific Fire Insurance Compan)'; owns one-third interest iu the Seventh Street Terrace tract; is a stock-holder in the Pacific Coast Steamship Compan}- and in several real estate companies, besides being financiall}- interested in numerous minor business enterprises. He is also a large land owner in Oregon and Washington, and in the city of Portland and vicinity possesses several valuable tradts, while in the cit)- proper he owns a number of business blocks. His real estate operations have been conducted on a large scale and with marked success.

Mr. Spaulding has always been a hard worker and a man of the most industrious habits. He has, in truth, been the architedl of his own fortune. From the most humble financial circumstances, by diligent work, by making right uses of his opportunities and by honorable business methods, he has risen step by step until to-day he is regarded as one of Portland's most successful business men.

He was married on June 2, 1S61, to Miss Heppie I.. Ford, daughter of .Simeon Ford, an old and highly respefted citizen of Boston. Their married life has been one of marked congeniality and happiness. To the devotion, counsel and encouragement of his wife when the way was dark, Mr. Spaulding ascribes the highest praise and to her gives much of the credit for the success he has attained. Uncomplainingly she bore all the hardships of his early struggles and in its highest sense has been a helpmate and companion. They have had but one child, a bright and promising boy named after his father, who was born in 1865, and died in 1877.

MARKLE, George B. Among the young business men of Portland none have exerted a more powerful influence toward advancing the material progress of the city during the past few years than George B. Markle. Tlie various projects he has been largely instrumental in creating and successful!}- carrying out, have been far reaching in tliir wholesome effect upon the prosperity of Portland, and justly entitle him to a prominent place in the commercial and financial history of the cit}-.

He is a native of Penns3lvania, haying been born in Hazletou, L,ucerue count\% ou the 7th of OAober, 1857. Until the age of twelve he received the educational advantages of the private and public schools of Hazelton. He then passed four years in a boarding school at White Plains, New York. His parents removed to Philadelphia, in 1874-, and after one year's atteudance in a preparatory school in this city he entered Lafaj-ette college, graduating from this institution in 1878. .\fter graduation he was employed in the Anthracite coal mines at Geddo, Pennsylvania, which were owned by the firm of G. B. Markle & Co., his father being the senior member of the firm. In 1880, his father's health having failed, youug Markle entered the employ of the banking house of Pardee, Markle cS: Grier, of Hazletou, Pennsylvania, and also continued with their successors, Pardee & Markle, as representative of his father's interests. In 1882, the older members of the firm retired and the firm of Markle Bros. & Co. was formed, of which Mr. Markle was the managing partner until 1886.

Mr. Markle's desire to locate in the west led him, in the spring of 1886, to make a tour of inspection, which embraced Kausas, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, California, Oregon and Washington. A careful examination of all this region convinced him that Portland offered the best iuducements as a business point, combined with all the advantages of an old settled community, aud in the fall of that year he permaueutly located in this city. He immediately became a factor in the busy life around him, and displayed a business generalship which marked him as a man of unusual power, and gave him a place among the foremost business men of the city seldom accorded in any community to one of his years. A bare mention of the enterprises in which he is interested and largely assisted to organize aud place upon a prosperous basis will give an idea of his energy and clear business foresight. With others he organized the Oregon National Bank, of which he is vice president; also the EUensburgh National Bank, the Northwest Loan and Trust Company and the Commercial Bank of 'Vancouver, being president of the last three corporations named. He was one of the purchasers of the Multnomah Street Railway; reorgauized the' company and ever since has been its president. This company owns the extensive system of street railways on Washington, B, Eleventh and Fifteenth streets. He is also president of the Portland Mining Company, owning the Sunset group of mines in the famous Coeur d' Alene district. He was one of the leading spirits in organizing the great enterprise of the North Pacific Industrial Association; purchased the land upon which to eredl the necessary building and secured a large number of subscriptions to its capital stock.

One of the most important services rendered by Mr. Markle was the part he bore in the organization of the Portland Hotel Company. Mr. Henry Villard, then president of the Northern Pacific Railroad, began the erection of a hotel in Portland, in 1S83, such as the importance of the city demanded. His financial embarassment, which occured soon after, put a stop to the work, and for j-ears thereafter, although the lack of a hotel, such as Mr. Villard proposed to erect, was one of the greatest needs of the city, no one seemed to have sufiicient courage to undertake the enterprise. It was left to Mr. Markle to take hold of the matter, and in his energetic and practical manner, in a few days a large number of subscriptions to the capital stock of the Portland Hotel Company was secured. The company was soon after incorporated and work began upon the building, which has since been completed, giving to Portland one of the finest hotels on the Pacific slope.

Mr. Markle is also a stockholder and director in the Columbia Fire and Marine Ins. Company, and has extensive real estate interests, including a share in various tracts near the city, aggregating several -hundred acres, and in the Portland Addition to the city of Vancouver, Washington.

At an age when most men are onh- beginning to see their way clear toward the substantial things of life, IMr. Markle has already achieved a well earned success. He not only has the abilitj' to project great schemes, but what is more essential the nerve and energj', the courage and financial skill to carry them to a successful issue. Young in years, strong in intellect, in the full vigor of life, and buoyant in hope and aspiration there can be but a career of usefulness and prosperity before this gentleman, especially in a region where the greatest scope is open to one possessing the prescience to perceive, and the talent to improve the great opportunities the future so abundantly promises.

Mr. Markle is of ordinary height, heax-y built with a full ruddy face indicative of good health, and a heart}', robust constitution. He is mature in appearance and gives the impression of being older than his j'Cars. He is cool and deliberate in manner, and under the most exciting circumstances would not be apt to lose his equilibrium. He is a man of positive convictions and is not easily turned aside from an undertaking his judgment approves, no matter how difficult the consummation of his scheme may at times appear. It is this quality of persistance, added to the ability of being able to promptly provide means to meet emergencies, which is the strongest element in his character, and to which more than all else is due his success in life.

Mr. Markle was married on June 4, 1889, to Miss Kate Goodwin, daughter of Lieutenant W. P. Goodwin, of the United States Arm}-. They have a fine residence on Portland Heights, which commands a magnificent view of a wide extent of country unsurpassed for great natural beauty.

MOREY, Parker FarnsworTh, without great wealth, is one of the most successful men of Portland. As an organizer and condudlor of successful enterprises he has no superior iu this busy city. A man of untiring energy he possesses the patience to attend to the smallest details provided success depends on them. He has the abilit)- and the courage to make successful those undertakings which a timid, a less confident or a richer-man might not dare attempt. He has a genius for inventing. As a manager of men he has few superiors.

Mr. Morey comes of old New England stock. The energy repressed through several generations by the severe quiet of Maine has appeared in all the greater force in this later son. He was born Ocflober 16, 1847, at Calais, Maine.

While yet a child his parents moved to Machias, Maine, where his early boyhood was passed. At an early age he began to learn the trade of a machinist. He worked at Bangor and Portland, Maine, and at Boston, Massachusetts, uutil he was a competent machinist and mechanical engineer.

In 1866, he moved to Placerville, California, where he lived until 1870, being employed most of the time as mechanicdl engineer. But Placerville was too small a place for such an energetic nature as Mr. Morey's, so in 1870 he moved to Sacra, mento and obtained emploj-ment there iu the shops of the Central Pacific Railroad. There is no better illustration of his inventive genius, and his ability to meet emergencies than his short experience at these railroad shops. In the year 1870 the C. P. R. R. Co. was confronted with the problem of a large surplus wheat crop to move and with but few freight cars with which to carry this crop to tide water. A machinist and a helper at these shops were able to turn out but nine car wheels a day. Mr. Morey, seeing the difficulty very soon made a machine fitted with appliances by which with a helper he, at first, turned out thirty-two car wheels a day. He continued to improve his apparatus until in a very few days he alone, having no need for a helper, turned out eighty car wheels each day. Still further improving his apparatus he, without assistance, turned out one hundred and nine car wheels each working day.

On leaving the service of the Central Pacific, Mr. Morey invented and patented an anti-fridliou journal bearing. He moved to Chicago and became a partner with A. V. Pitts, under the name of A. V. Pitts & Co., whose business was manufa<5luring these journal bearings. This invention is now used by the Pullman Car Company, in its palace cars. In the year 1876, Mr. Morey sold out his interest in \. V. Pitts & Co., and bought a number of patents which he took to California. These patents he improved. A steam pump served as a model which he converted into a dredging pump. It was the first dredging pump ever made. With this pump he was preparing to do extensive work in the mines of California, but the failure of W. C. Ralston aud the Bank of California bankrupted Mr. Morey's backers in this enterprise aud he sold out. He moved to Oakland and went into the employ of H. P. Gregory & Co., dealers in machinery. While in their employ he came to Portland on business for the firm. At Portland he entered into a contraa to put in a hydraulic ram elevator. A large amount of money had been spent in a previous attempt to put in such an elevator, but without success owing to beds of gravel below the surface. After great difficulty Mr. Morey was successful on his contraifl, although the whole community had predidled failure. Seeing that Portland was not supplied with elevators and that he could be sucessful in such a business, he obtained sufficient backing and organized the

Portland Hydraulic Elevator Company, for the particular purpose of supplying freight elevators. Mr. Morey has been, since the formation of this company, and is now its vice-president and manager. The sviccess of this company is due almost wholh- to inventions of Mr. More}-, making a now perfeA hydraulic telescope ram elevator. This telescope elevator is necessary at Portland, owing to the fact that there are several successive la3'ers of boulders and gravel l)'iug beneath the surface. These layers of gravel make it extremely difficult to put in a hydraulic ram elevator unless it be of a telescope pattern.

Mr. Morey has at various times made man\- valuable inventions. Among his inventions is one for purifying coal screenings, which is completely successful. He and Bessemer, the inventor of the Bessemer steel process, filed caveats in the Patent Office at Washington about the same time. But Bessemer's plan was not feasible and he abandoned it. Mr. Morey secured the patent which he now owns. He has also invented and patented a successful water engine, and a hydraulic pressure valve. The latter is the simplest and probablj- the most valuable of his inventions. Without springs, adjusted by a set screw, it is invaluable in a waterworks S3-stem for the reason that it a6ls automatically and allows a large pressure on one side with a smaller pressure on the other. This pressure valve was invented to enable Mr. Morey to operate successfully high pressure water works of which more is said further on.

Mr. Morey has much of the rare quality of inventive genius which has made famous Ericcson, Bessemer and Hoe. He seems to need onh- the difficulty to surmount it by his invention. Living at Portland his patents have not obtained universal use, as the\' undoubtedly would had not other matters engaged his attention.

In 1883, through Mr. Morej-'s efforts, after considerable opposition, Portland entered into a contraA with the Elevator Company' to furnish high pressure hydrants for the extinguishment of fires. It was these hydrants which saved Portland twice in one week from the fires at the Esmond Hotel and Coloma Dock. These fires were both of incendiary origin. But for the elevator h}-drants either of these fires would undoubtedh- have been more disastrous than the Seattle or Spokane Falls fires. The hydrants in extinguishing these fires more than paid the contract price for the whole term of ten years for which they were put in.

The success of the Portland H3-draulic Elevator Company, under Jlr. Morey's management, aroused the hostility of the Portland Water Company. This water company with its inefficient service and high rates are now merely matters of the past. For j-ears it had defied public opinion and had escaped legislative and municipal control. It then determined to crush out the Elevator Company.

In 1885, learning of the plans of the Portland Water Co., Mr. Morey determined to carrj' the war into the enemy's country. Within a very short period he had made a personal examination of the plan of bringing the waters of Bull Run river into Portland. He made his estimates and plans and proposed to the city of Portland for annual payments for twenty j-ears to supply all water, at sufficient pressure to do away with fire engines, and for all municipal needs.

Immediately after the ordinance authorizing this contrail had been duly passed and approved, the water company obtained a preliminary injunction from the United States Court restraining the city from entering into such a contract. Pending these legal proceedings a special session of the Legislature was called to elect a United States senator. Fifteen citizens of Portland, seeing the feasibility of Mr. Morey's plan and that the water company had received its death blow from Mr. Morey, organized themselves into a water committee and obtained the necessary legislation to furnish Portland with water, as a part of the municipal authority of the city. The bill confirming this authority made it impossible for Mr. Morey's plan to be carried out.

Mr. Morey's plan was that the city should pay him |40,000 a year for twenty years. In return he was to furnish the city with water at sufficient pressure so that the fire engines would have been discarded and their places would have been taken by hose carriages. In addition the city was to have for twent)' years, without extra compensation all the water necessary for all other purposes - sprinkling streets, flushing sewers, etc. At the end of twenty years all water for said municipal purposes was to be furnished free forever. The price of water to private consumers was made about half of the rates charged by the water company and the common council were given authority to reduce all rates so established. In addition the city was giveu the right to purcha.se, within five years from the date of the contract, all of the Morey Water Works by paying therefor the actual cost, together with an advance of but six per centum on such cost.

Had Mr. Morey's plan been carried out Portland would now be supplied with water from Bull Run river. The water committee has done better than was thought it would or could do. Without disparagement to its management, which has been remarkably economical and efficient, still the fact remains that sufficient time has elapsed to prove that Mr. Morey's plan, under his management would have been far cheaper and efficient for the city and its inhabitants than the water committee's will be even when Bull Run water is brought to Portland.

Without detracting from the praise due to the water committee it is but fair to say that undoubtedly but for Mr. Morey the Portland Water Company would still be the ' only means by which Portland would be supplied with water, and that the present abundant supph- and low rates would not be in existence.

In 1883, Mr. Morey and others organized the U. S. Electric Lighting and Power Company of Portland, Oregon. With his indomitable energy he made this company successful under the most adverse circumstances. With a foresight, which is one of his strong characteristics, he saw the great future for electric lighting which even now is coming to passs. Stockholders might be discouraged and his financial backers despair of success; Mr. Morey neither became discouraged nor despaired - he succeeded. When the eleclric light company had become one of the best dividend paying corporations for its capital in the State, Mr. Morey saw that its success could not be continuous with the great Willamette Falls, distant twelve miles only from Portland. Finding his opportunity, he entered into negotiations with the syndicate controlling the water power at the falls. Getting the unanimous consent of the stockholders of the Electric Light Company to the measure,that company was merged into the Willamette Falls Electric Company, a new corporation which he assisted in organizing. This latter company, in addition to furnishing electric lights for lighting the streets of the city of Portland and for private purposes, controls the immense water power of the Willamette Falls, at Oregon City. Mr. Morey is the manager and one of the directors of the Willamette Falls Electric Company.

It is this company -which will largely assist in making Portland a great and prosperous city. Its wires annihilate distance. It makes the power of the Willamette Falls at Portland as well as at Oregon City. Up to the present time the foundation and operations of this company are Mr, Morey's greatest successes.

Mr. Morey is yet j-oung. His successes are, it is believed, merely an earnest of what he will accomplish in the future. To a somewhat over cautious community he has shown what ability aud energj- can accomplish. Capital is often timid in carrj-- ing out the plans of such a man. Capital has sometimes given but half-hearted support to such an one - it has sometimes abandoned such a man after having promised full support to the end. But abilit}- and energy' - what in the West we call "push" - will succeed and does succeed in spite of the timidity and sometimes the greed of mere money. Such men as Mr. Morey are the capital, the wealth of a comnuinitv whether it be rich or poor. To the rich they mean a greater abundance, to the poor continuous prosperity.

STAVER. George W., president and founder of one of the largest mercantile corporations on the Pacific Coast was born in Brush Valle}-, Center count}-, Pennsylvania, November IS, 1836. He is of German and Scotch-Irish ancestry and was reared upon a farm. Soon after his birth his parents moved to Sugar Valley, Clinton county, Pennsylvania, and remained on the same farm until 1854, when they came to Illinois, but a year later settled near Jlonroe, Green county, Wisconsin. Here his father, Frederick Staver, still resides, at the advanced age of eighty-one }-ears.

Our stibjeft received from his father a most thorough knowledge of farming in all its branches, long before the era of the present improved farming implements. His education was such as was received at that day in Peuns)'lvania, Illinois and Wisconsin by the average farmer's boy. Attendance at the district school in winter with three months at the Academy at Warren, Illinois, in 1861, completed his educational advantages; previous to going to the latter institution, however, he taught school for two terms in Green count)-. He early became interested in and an expert operator of agricultural machiuer\-. He purchased one of the first threshing machines used in Green county, and during the fall and winter followed threshing. He became very proficient in this line of work and before he had reached his majority did quite an extensive business.

While at school at Warren, Illinois, Fort Sumter was fired upon aud President Lincoln issued his first call for troops. Young Staver at once enlisted but before his company was read)- to enter the service the requisite number of men called for had been secured and its services were not needed. When the second call for troops was issued, in September, 1861, he enlisted for three years in the Fifth Wisconsin Light Artillery. This batter)- went into camp at Racine, Wisconsin; left for the seat of war in March, 1862, and remained in active service at the front until the close of the war. Its first ser\'ice was at New Madrid, Missouri, followed by participation in the siege of Corinth and battle of Farmington. On September 3, 1862, it was transferred to the Army of the Tennessee; took part in the battle of Perryville and the pursuit of the enemy to Crab Orchard, Kentucky. It was also engaged in the battle of Murfreesboro or Stone River, occupying the extreme right, aud on December 31, 1862, fired the first gnu that ushered in this memorable engagement. During the summer of 1863, it was engaged in the Chattanooga and Chickamauga campaign takiug part in the battles at the foot of Lookout Mountain and within the Union fortifi. cations at Chattanooga and Mission Ridge. During this entire period Mr. Staver was in ever)- engagement in which his battery participated. By a general order from the War Department all troops having served two years or more could re-enlist for the period of the war. Under this order Jlr. Staver's battery re-enlisted in December, 1863, for three years or during the war. The battery, soon after re-enlistment, took part in the battle of Reseca, and beginning with this battle was engaged almost every day in the Atlanta campaign, until that city was captured, September 6, lS6-t. In November following, it started with Gen. Sherman's forces on the memorable march- to the sea, ending with the siege and capture of Savannah. From this point it marched through the Carolinas and took part in the battle at Bentonville. .\fter a lirief rest at Raleigh, the battery marched to Washington via Richmond and Alexandria, and took its place in the graud review pf Shei-man's army. On June 1, 1865, it arrived at - Madison, Wisconsin, where it was mustered out of service. Mr. Staver's record as a soldier was excellent. During the entire period of service he never failed to be ready for duty; was twice promoted and now holds two honorable discharges.

After his return home Mr. Staver purchased a farm in Green County, Wisconsin, and besides engaging in farming, followed threshing for three seasons. In the fall of 1867 he sold his farm, and in the following spring moved to Nashua, Iowa, where he engaged in general merchandizing with S. W. Byers, under the firm name of Byers & Staver. He disposed of his interest in the fall of 1870, and in the spring of 1871, returned to Monroe, Wisconsin, where with his brother, H. C. Staver, he embarked in the agricultural implement lousiness under the firm name of Staver Bros. Tliey soon after bought a half interest in a hardware store with John S. Harper, combining this business with their own under the firm name of Harper & Staver Bros. Two years later H. C. Staver sold out his interest, when the firm became known as Harper & Staver. During these years a very good business was established. They were agents of several large manufacturies of farming machinerj-, among which was the well known J. I. Case Threshing Machine Company. In 1877 Mr. Staver was engaged by the latter Company in expert work connected with the operation of their machmes. So valuable did his services prove, that in February, 1878, he entered their emplov as traveling representative, and disposed of his interest at Monroe. In 1879 he came to Oregon as representative of this company to sell a large stock of goods then at Salem. The Company desired to open up trade in this section of the country, and gave Mr. Staver the option of establishing a business, either on a salary or a commission basis. Upon his arrival he was soon convinced that Portland offered the best inducements as a commercial point, and upon his advice this citj' was selected instead of Salem as the headquarters for commencing operations. The first year he worked upon a salary, but the second year took his pay on a commission basis. In 1881 with W. H. Walker, who had previously been in his employ, he commenced business under the firm name of Staver & Walker. Continued success followed the undertaking, and from the beginning to the present the growth of the business has been most remarkable. At first they handled the agricultural machinery of only one manufacturing company, but at the present time they carry the most complete line of farm, dairy and mill machinery on the Pacific Coast. Their immense warehouse iu the New Market block ou First Street, extending to Second Street, is one of the largest business blocks iu the city, every portion of which is required for exhibiting then- large assortment of goods. Branch houses have been established at Walla Walla, Colfax, Spokane Falls, Seattle and Pomeroy, Washington; LaGrande, Oregon, and Moscow, Idaho. A- large force of men is emploj-ed, and their yearlj- business reaches the sum of 81,000,000. In 1888 the company was incorporated with a paid up capital of .§330,000, at which time the present officers were chosen: George W. vStaver, President; W. H. Walker, Vice President and General Manager; Frank L. Brown, Secretary, and G. L. Walker, Treasurer.

The creation of this immense business within a few years has been an incident of rapid growth, conspicuous in the history of the Pacific Northwest. Mr. Staver, with a full knowledge of the requirements of the business, and practical experience in farming and handling farming implements, was perfectly familiar with the needs of an agricultural commuuity, and well adapted to inaugurate the business with which he has been so conspicuously connected. Mr. Staver, however, says that Mr. W. H. Walker, his partner, deserves his full share of credit for the success of this business, and that Frank L. Brown, whom they employed as their office man for years, is entitled to not a little of the honor. Both men are indefatigable workers and of good business sagacity.

Mr. Staver's time and energy have been almost solely engrossed by the demands of his business, and he has had, up to the present time, but little to do with other enterprises He is, however, a director in the Deep Sea Fishing Company, and stockholder in the Cjxlorama Compau}-. For more than twenty years he has been a member of the Methodist Church, and since his residence in Portland has been connected with the Ta\lor Street Church, in which he is one of the trustees, and one of the most active church workers. He is a liberal supporter of religious and benevolent institutions, and is President of the Portland Hospital, and the Pacific Christian Advocate. He is also oire of the trustees of the Willamette University. He was married in 1858 to Jliss Salome Wagner, who died in December, 1860. They had one child, a son, Franklin, who resides in Wisconsin. He was married, January, 1866, to his present wife. Miss Sarah A. Thorp, of Clarno, Green County, Wisconsin, and to them three children have been born.

Mr. Staver is a man of large frame, and of strong and vigorous constitution. He is modest and unostentatious in manner, and one whom prosperity has not chauged. He has been a hard worker all his life, and has fairly earned the success which has come to him. In the prosperity of Portland during late years, he has been a valuable factor, and the enterprise which he inaugurated promises to be of still greater benefit to the city in the }ears to come. He is progressive and public spirited, and begrudges no effort that may contribute to the public good.

DURAND, Ezra, was born in Seneca Falls, New York, on March 8, 1833, and is the youngest of a family of thirten sons and daughters of David and Betsey (Crowell), Durand. His father was a farmer and his early boyhood was passed on a farm. His opportunities for gaining an education were limited to a few winters at the district school At an early age he left home and went to Worcester, Massachusetts, where he obtained employment in a musical instrument factory. This was followed by similar work in a faclorj- at Norwich, Connecticut. He seemed to have a natural taste for the business, making rapid progress in a thorough knowledge of every branch. At the end of a few years he secured a situation with a Boston firm and traveled all through the New England States, tuning pianos and doing such other work in conuedliou with musical instruments as the nature of their business required. In later years he was traveling salesman for the well known organ manufactory of Estey & Co., of Rattleboro, Vermont.

In 1881, Mr, Durand came to the Pacific Coast, and for a few months was located in San Francisco, California, but in 1882, came to Portland, He soon after eml)arked in the piano and organ business and from the very start his venture proved to be highly successful. In 1883, he incorporated the Durand Organ and Piano Company, with a capital stock of f 100, 000, of which he has since been president and general manager. The business which this corporation has built up within the last few jears extends over a vast territory. Mr. Durand has been indefatigable in his exertions and it has mainly been through his thorough pratflical knowledge of the business and good judgment that such gratifying success^ has been attained.

Mr. Durand was married in 1881, to Miss Jennie Smith, a native of Illinois. They have recently eredled a fine house on Portland Heights which is an ornament to that delightful residence part of the citv.

WEINH.IRD, Henry, the leading and oldest brewer of Portland, was born in L,indenbroun, Wurtemberg, Germany, February 18, 1830. After serving a regular apprenticeship and working at the trade of a brewer in Stutgartand other places in Germany he came to the United States in 1851. He first secured employment at his trade in Philadelphia where he remained a j-ear. He then went to Cincinnati and at the end of two years removed to St. Louis, where he remained until 1856, when he came to California and for a short time was located at Sacramento City. In March, 1857, he entered the employ of the John Meney a brewer at Vancouver, Washington Territory, and superintended the erection and fitting up of a new brewery. In 1859 Mr. Weinhard bought the brewer}- from Mr. Meney, and for some four years successfully carried on the business at that point. In the meantime, in 1862, he bought out the Henry Saxer Brewery, the first established in Portland, and soon after, in partnership with George Bottler, established his present brewery, having at the time a controlling interest in the three breweries in this section of the country. In 1864 he sold out his brewery in Vancouver, and from that time has exclusively confined his operations to Portland. In 1866 Mr. Weinhard bought the interest of Mr. Bottler, and immediately commenced to improve and enlarge the plant, and from that time to the present has constantly been increasing his facilities for meeting the demands of his trade. Refrigerating machines, malt and brew house and cellars are models of their kind, and in their arrangements throughout are as perfect as in any establishment in the country. The buildings are all of brick, and present a handsome and imposing appearance. The brewery occupies a whole square, and is the largest plant of its kind on the Pacific Slope north of San Francisco, In 1870 the output was less than 2,000 barrels, while for 1889 the total output was 40,000 barrels. With the exception of six years, when William Dillenger was a partner, Mr. Weinhard has been sole proprietor of 1866.

Mr. Weinhard was married in 1859 to Louisa Wagenblast. They have two daughters, the eldest of whom is the wife of Paul Wessinger, who is connected with Mr. Weinhard in the management of the brewery. As a business man Mr. Weinhard has been very successful. He is a member of the Masonic Order, and of various German societies in the city which are maintained for social purposes, and for the relief of distressed countrymen. He is a man of generous impulses, and toward every benevolent enterprise cheerfulh- contributes. Among his own countrj'men his popularity is very great. Every project to advance the interests of Portland finds in him a warm friend.

KAMM, Jacob. No history of navigation upon the Willamette or Columbia would be complete without reciting the part borne by the subject of this sketch. From the time the demands of travel and commerce created business of any magnitude in this direction, down to the present time, he hag been more or less prominently connected with this interest, and especially important was the part he bore in the incipient stages of its development.

He was boru in .Switzerland, December 12, 1823. At the age of eight, with his father, who had resigned his commission as captain in the Swiss army, he came to .\merica. They removed to Illinois, where for a year his father was employed in farming and milling. From there they went to St. Louis, where his father conducted a hotel for some years, after which they removed to New Orleans. Here, at the age of twelve, 3'oung Kamm commenced the earnest side of life in a printing office, where he was emploj'ed until after the death of his father during the fearful yellow fever epidemic in the summer of 1837.

In the fall of that year with only a few dollars in his pocket, he started for St. Louis. Upon his arrival he secured a position as a cabin boy on a small steamer called the .4r.'i:. In the engineer of this steamer he found a kind friend, and during several following winters he boarded with his family. It was during this time he secured the principal educational advantages he ever enjoved, going to school in the winter, and spending much time in studying while on the boat in summer. .\t the age of sixteen he became engineer's assistant, or second engineer on the Camden, and afterwards served in the same capacity on the Illinois, Mumga Park, Gvpsy and other boats.

He earl}' developed great taste for mathematics and engineering, and improved every opportunity to advance his knowledge of both. While in St. Louis he joined an engineers' association, an incorporated body, whose object was to raise the standard of efficiency of engineers. Before a committee of this order Mr. Kamm, upon attaining his majority, passed a most thorough examination as to the duties pertaining to an engineer; was highly commended for his thorough knowledge and qualifications, and given a diploma as Chief Engineer. With this endorsement, which at that time was considered to leave no question as to proficiency, he soon after obtained a position as Chief Engineer, and for several years thereafter served iu this capacity on a number of boats, on the Mississippi and its tributaries, among them the Ocean IV'ai-e, Edward Bates and Hannibal. Ambitious to succeed, he over-taxed his strength, and in 1848 failing health forced him to stop working. In seeking to gain his health he was advised that a trip acros.s the plains might be beneficial, and also desiring to visit the Pacific Coast, which the recent discoverv of gold had brought so prominentl}' before the public, he determined to make the long journey. In the Spring of 1849 he started with a train, and October 10, 1849, arrived iu

Sacramento, California. Here for a short time he worked in a saw mill. He then went to San Francisco, and after spending the winter there, returned lo Sacramento, where he secured engagement as engineer on the steamer New England, which ran up the Feather River, and afterwards had sole charge, acting as master pilot and engineer of the Black lUnvk. then running from Sacramento to Marysville.

While in Sacramento he met I.ot Whitcomb, who at that time was building the Lot Whitcomb ai Milwaukie. B^- Mr. Whitcomlj he was engaged to put the machinery in the steamer, and for that purpose came to Jlilwaukie. Practically alone, he did all the work required, even to riveting the sections of the boiler together. This somewhat famous vessel was launched December 25, 1850, and prominently figures in the nautical history of Oregon. Mr. Kamm was engineer of this steamer until .she went to California in 1853. Afterward, with George Abernethy, Hiram Clark and J. C. Ainsworth, he became part owner in the Jennie Clark, built at Milwaukie, and the first stern wheeler in Oregon. Mr. Kamm became engineer. Later on they purchased an interest in the Express and built the Carrie Laild. In December, 1859, the owners of the Mountain Buck, Senorita and Carrie Ladd, then running to the Cascades; the Mary and Hassalo plying between the Cascades and the Dalles, consolidated, and formed what was known as the Union Navigation Company. In this company Mr. Kamm was one of the principal owners, but remamed as engineer on the Carrie Ladd, then running between Portland and the Cascades. In 1860 this company became incorporated under the name of the Oregon Steam Navigation Company, a corporation which ultimately became very powerful, and whose influence on commercial affairs was very great. After the incorporation of this company, Mr. Kamm was appointed Chief Engineer, and served in this capacity for several years, having entire supervision of the construction of steamers and motive power of the two portage railroads at the Cascades and Dalles. He constantly added to his interest in the Company, by the purchase of stock, and but a short time elapsed before he was the second largest stockholder in the Company. Previously, however, he had become largely interested in steamboats on the upper Willamette. Mr. Kannn. with the other owners of the Jennie Clark and Express, formed the Willamette Navigation Company, which later on purchased the Rival. Surprise and Elk. This company, after establishing a successful business, sold out to the O. S. N. Co. in 1863.

TheO. S. N. Co. was rapidly becoming a very successful corporation, when Mr Kamm, led by representations of those in whom he had perfect confidence, against his own judgment and inclination, was induced to part with his interest in the company, receiving a comparatively small amount for his large interest in what a few years later became the most valuable property in Oregon. This occirred in 1867, after the company had passed through the most trying period of its career and just before its days of great prosperity began.

After disposing of his interest in the O. S. N. Co., Mr. Kamm purchased the George S. Wright^ which he ran for nearly two years between Portland, Victoria, Sound points and Sitka, Alaska. He then .sold her to Ben Holladay, who kept her on the same route until she was lost, and no authentic tidings of the fate of crew or passengers were ever received.

For some six orseveu years after the sale of the Wright, Mr. Kamm's health was verj- poor and he traveled extensively to the varions health resorts all over the country, without receiving much or au^- benefit. Notwithstanding his physical condition, however, his ambitious andnaturally energetic spirit would not permit him to refrain wholly from business. During this period he organized the Vancouver Transportation Conipau}-, in which he has since been the principal owner and president. The Lurline and Undine are operated by this companj-.

Besides the enterprises named, Mr. Kamm's energies have found employment in many other directions. He was one of the original stockholders in the Bank of California, organized in 1862, and after its failure, in 1875, assisted in its re-organization, and is still a large stockholder. He is a director in the First National Bank of Portland, First National Bank of Astoria, and the Ilwaco Railroad & Navigation Co. He is also president of the Snake River Transportation Company, which has the steamer Norma nearly completed with which it is intended to navigate the Snake River between Huntington and the mining district, a portion of this stream formerhconsidered not navigable.

Mr. Kamm is a large propertj- owner, in Portland and San Francisco, and has one of the finest farms in Clatsop county. He has done much to improve the architectual appearance of the cit}- of his home by the erection of the well known Kamm block on Pine street, extending from Front to First street. This large block was built immediately after the Villard failure, when even Portland's most courageous and progressive citizens were despondent as to the future of the city. Mr. Kamm's undertaking at such a time did much to restore confidence among the people and was the means of putting into circulation a large sum of money.

Despite a far from rugged constitution, Mr. Kamm has always been a very energetic man and few have worked harder or more persistently. He is now in the possession of a large fortune which his prudence and keen business foresight has made possible in the rapid development which has been going on in the Northwest during the last forty years. Honorable methods have always characterized his business career, and not a single dollar he possesses has been gained by trickery or oppression nor resort to dishonest or questionable means. He has always maintained an unsullied record for honest}', and possesses the absolute confidence of all with whom he has ever had business relations. He is a member of the First Presbyterian Church, and in a quiet and modest way with no desire for display has contributed toward church and philanthropic enterprises and assisted many toward making a start in the world. He is reser\-ed in manner, has few intimate friends, but is steadfast in his lo\alty to those in whom he has entire confidence. He is thoroughhengrossed in the management of his private business affairs, and finds his chief pleasure in the pursuit of business.

He was married September 13, 1859, to Miss Caroline A. Gray, daughter of the late W. H. Graj-, who came to Oregon as one of the earlier missionaries in 1830, She was born in Lapwai, Idaho, then a part of Oregon in 1840. To Mr. Kamm and wife but one son has been bom, Charles Tilton Kamm, who is married and the father of two children, and for several years has been captain of the Undine.

H/'ILLIAMS, Richard, was born at Findlay, in the State of Ohio, NOvi nihcr 1."). VV 183(5. His father, KUjah Williams, was then an attorney-al-law in thai .State! having a successful practice. His mother died when he was six years of age, leavin-' three sons, Richard, George (Major George Williams, a banker at Salem, and present Mayor of that city), and John, of whom Richard was the elde.st. In IKf)! his father, who had again married, emigrated with his wife and children to Oregon. The son John was accidentally killed in crossing the plains, and the remaining part of the family reached the Willamette valley in the fall of 18,51. They look up their residence at Salem, and continued to reside there, and in the vicinity, until the death of the mother. Richard attended school at the Willamette tiniversity until 1S56, and acquired a good rudimentary education. After leaving school he started for the mines in Southern Oregon, but on his wa>- there stopped at Corvallis, where A. J. Thayer, afterwards one of the Justices of the Supreme Court of the .Slate, was residing. Judge Thayer was a warm personal friend of Richard's father and familv, and he urged the young man to remain at Corvallis and read law with him, to which he assented, and in due time was admitted to practice. In 1862 Mr. Williams located at Salem to practice his profession, and in the latter part of that year married Miss Clara J. Congle, daughter of J. B. Congle, of Portland, a beautiful and highly accomplished lad)-.

In 1863 Mr. Williams formed a law partnership at Salem with Hon. Rufus Mallory, which continued until the latter was elected to Congress in 1866. He was clerk of the Supreme Court during the time, and until he removed from Salem. He was also appointed, under Mr. Lincoln's administration, I'nited .States District .\tlorney for the district of Oregon.

In 1871 Mr. Williams formed a law partnership with W. Lair Hill and W. W. Thayer, present Chief Justice of the .Supreme Court of the State, and in February of that year moved to the city of Portland to engage in the business, where he has since resided.

In 1874- Mr. Williams was nominated by the republican party as its candidate for Member of Congress, but owing to an unfortunate split in his party he failed to be returned. In 1876, however, he was again nominated for the office, and elected by a respectable majorit}- over Hon. Lafayette Lane, candidate on the democratic ticket.

Mr. Williams made an able and faithful Memlier of Congress, and secured a high standing and added great credit to the Slate of Oregon 1)y his efforts while there. Since returning from Congress Mr. Williams has devoted the principal part of his time to the practice of law, and but few attorneys at the Ijar have been so frequently employed in active litigation in the courts or achieved equal success. He is a good advocate, and is peculiarly .adapted to the successful trial of jury causes. He is usually well prepared as to the law and facts involved in his case, an<l ready to meet any emergency which may arise in the course of the trial.

Mr. Williams has also been successful, financially. He has made such judicious investments in real estate that by reason of the thrift and prosperity which have attended the progress of the State, and especially the City of Portland, they have secured to him a competency. He is not, however, proud of his wealth, does not attempt to display it in order to gratify empty vanity or use it as a means of oppressing others. Nor does he bestow it for the purposes of gaining the plaudits of the public, yet he never fails to lend aid to those who are iu distress. He has been known to advance liberal sums of money to assist obscure persons who were needy, and at the same time refuse to give anything towards a popular charity. He is reticent and slow to confide in others, but his confidence is free and open when once gained, and his friendships never waver. He enjoys the excitement of trading and making money, but no one can say that he ever falsified his word for personal gain, or com mitted a dishonorable act, nor would any person presume to question his integrity.

SCOTT, Harvey W. Although Mr. Scott is editor of our work this does not seem to- the publishers sufficient reason for excluding a sketch of his life from these pages. Such would seem to contemporary readers a surprising and anuoj'iug omission not only, but by future investigators would be accounted unpardonable.

He was born in Tazewell county, Illinois, February 1st, 1838. As the name implies he is of Scotch descent. The first of his ancestors in America came from Scotland about 1755, and landed at Charleston, South Carolina. His parents were from Kentucky and grand parents from Pennsylvania and North Carolina.

He was brought up on a farm in Illinois, where he soon became inured to a life of severe toil, his earliest recolleftions being associated with doing farm work in summer and going to school in the winter. His father, moved bj' a migratory disposition, determined to come to Oregon and in 1852 brought his familj- across the plains with ox teams. The family first settled in Yamhill county, where it remained a little over a year when a removal was made to Puget Sound, where a settlement was made about twenty miles northwest of Olj-mpia, then an unorganized distri<5l, now known as Mason county. Here our subjeifl worked in clearing and making a farm'iu the wilderness, enduring great hardships and privations. Just as the settlers were becoming comfortably established the Indian wars of 1855 and 1856 broke out and young Scott for the greater part of a year was in a(5live service in the field, continuing to render efficient aid until the Indian disorders were suppressed. This experience was followed by manual labor in logging camps and surveying and at whatever else he could get to do. He was now verging toward manhood and had a strong desire for an education, his opportunities for advancement in this diredlion up to this period having been of the most limited and indifferent nature. Educational facilities in the vicinit}- of his home were wanting, and in order to devote himself to study he came back to Oregon in 1857 and for a time attended school at Oregon City and Forest Grove, taking up classical and other studies, pursuing them in his own wav and largely without assistance. To maintain himself he at times worked at farm labor by the mouth and at other intervals taught school. In 1859, he entered upon a regular collegiate course at Forest Grove and graduated in 1863, supporting himself in the meantime In- his own exertions, mostly by manual labor.

After graduation he went to Idaho and for one year was engaged in mining an<l whip sawing. He then returned to Oregon, and in 186-i came to Portland where for a few months he was emploved as librarian in the Portland Library. He then sought and obtained a working place on the Oregonian. Showing a decided talent for newspaper work, he soon after became editor, a position which, with the exception a short interval, from 1873 to 1877, he has ever since filled.

Such is a brief outline of Mr. Scott's earlier endeavors toward self advancement and the attainment of a fixed and definate purpose. It jjives only a few' fa<5ls in a hard struggle against many and great drawbacks which confronted his youth and early manhood at that period in the history of the Pacific Northwest. It was simply a busy life of work, of severe manual labor on the farm and at whatever his hands found to do. He never hesitated at any task which seemed to lead to the attainment of his plans. As late as 1858 we find him assisting his father in the hard drudgery of making a farm in Clackamas county, twenty miles south of (Iregon Citv, and again in 1860 and '61 engaged in the same work for his father near Forest Grove. It was a life of hard, persistent toil accompanied with many privations, such as fell to the lot of most sons of the pioneers of Oregon and Washington who came here on the advance wave of Western immigration.

.As editor of the Oregunian Mr. Scott fouud fittiug scope for his tastes and abilities. Without the least previous experience in the practical and complex duties of what is usually first a trade aud afterwards a profession, he naturally and readily rose to all the exacting requirement of his work, and so signal has been his success and so thoroughly is his individuality associated with his paper, that his uame has become a household word over the entire Northwest, and "within the limits of his influence," says one writer, "is no less familiarh- known than Horace Greeley, whose old Tribune became his earl}- political pabulum."

Through his journal for the last quarter century he has voiced the sentiments that have largely controlled the State. He has ever seen clearly the advantages of close union and friendly relations with the great national centers of activity, and has appreciated as few have the value to a youug couimuuity of organized business and the advantages of capital in our State sufficient to undertake the largest enterprises. This has made him a friend to the opening of the country- by railroad lines and has led him to seek the overtures of capitalists to fix their seat here.

With a very strong love of the locality and State aud a clear perception of the immense natural advantages of Oregon and Washington, he has given the most minute attention to the discovery of the stores of wealth in forest, mines, soil and climate. Nothing could be more complete than the articles prepared at his direction and published in his paper during the last twenty-five years on these subjects. Their influence has penetrated to every farm in the Northwest and is seen constantly in a stubborn loyalty to Oregon, without bluster or braggadocio which is not excelled in any State in the Union. This has largely been taught our people by Mr. Scott. In this respect the Oregonian stands unrivalled by any journal in America. In no man whom we have met does there appear more strongly the old classic quality of patriotism, Ijoth to State aud national interest than in Mr. Scott.

To a certain extent he has so learned the feelings, demands and hopes of the people, that his utterances are the daily voice of Oregonians. Bold and reliant in his utterances, naturally combative, never seeking to conciliate, seldom trying to win Ijy persuasion, he meets with unavoidable opposition, but has usually prevailed. Earnest and sincere in all he does, one whose advance has been gained at the expense of hard, persistent work, he has no patience with pretence and a wholesome contempt for shams, and naturally his manner of thought and writing is fashioned after the lesson of his life. Avoiding all rhetorical art or indirection of language he goes in his writing with an incisive directness to his object, and commands attention by the clearness and vigor of bis statement, the fairness of his arguments, and the thorough and careful investigation of his subject.

In the midst of all his journalistic and business affairs he has found time to pursue literary, philosophical, theological and classical,study, and to his constant and systematic personal investigation in these directions, rather than to any institution, is due his great scholarly attainments which long ago placed him among the few men in our State entitled to be called learned.

Personally Mr. Scott is of large stature, strong features and comniandiug appearance. His brusque business manner is accompanied by the dignity aud considerateuess of the scholarly gentleman, and no man is more liighly esteemed by his friends.

The foregoing is merely a brief and wholh- inadequate sketch of a career marked by conceded usefulness, and only feebly serA-es to illustrates a few phases in the life of a patient, steady worker; of one who has no faith in any genius but that genius which owes its existence to persistent, concentrated aud methodical labor; nor in an\- gospel that promises success without unremitting toil. H. S. L. - O. F. \'.