Mining

Biography of P. Basche

What Wendell Phillips said of great Political institutions is also true of great business enterprises: “They are not made, they grow,” This saying finds ample and fitting illustration in the large hardware establishment owned by P. Basche. Established in 1865 by J. H. Parker, two years later P. Basche and S. Ottenheimer bought him out, the later selling out a year later to S. H. Parker again, the firm continuing as Parker & Basche until 1888, when .J. P. Faull became interested, buying out Mr. Parker’s interest two years after Mr. Faull’s death Mr. Basche bought his interest and has … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Dr. Robert R. Meyers

Among the dentists of this city the subject of this sketch although young In years, stands very prominent. He has energy and ambition, and will succeed where other men fail. He was born in Summerville, Oregon, in 1873, and retrained there until 1894, receiving his preliminary education there. Having a natural taste for dentistry, he entered tine Baltimore College of Dental Surgery. Whch is the oldest dental college in the world, and graduated with honors in 1897. He then located at Charlotte, N. C., for a short time, but later moved here, where, using all the modern appliances in dentistry, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Davis Wilcox

Among the lending merchants of the county. Davis Wilcox, of Haines, occupies a well deserved position. He has been established there since 1887, being associated with his brother, L. T. Wilcox, until 1893, since which time he has conducted the business alone. He is at present carrying a complete line of general merchandise, farming instruments, lumber, cord wood and grain being a very heavy handler of the last named commodity. His store, which is 42×70, two stories, is well filled with any article the farmer may want, it being Mr. Wilcox’s aim to cater to their needs, and in this … Read more

Baker City Iron Works

Perhaps there is no concern in Baker City that more thoroughly deserves the unanimous support of the surrounding country than does the one above. They occupy a half block of ground on Auburn Avenue, near the railroad track, and do general foundry and machine work, employing nineteen men, and turning out mining, saw mill and planing still machinery, and architectural iron work. The machine shop, which is two stories, is 40×40, the foundry 40×00, both having a complete equipment, including the most modern machinery, tools and appliances known to the industry. They have done a large amount of the beat … Read more

Biography of S. A. Heilner

 When we see a gentleman who is successful in his business, we know that his prosperity is not the result of chance, but rather that he has worked hard and long, and that he possesses a spirit which does not succumb to trifling discouragements. When one attains this proud distinction of being known as a solid man, his word is considered its good as his bond, and his reputation must necessarily be unblemished. Mr. Heilner is one of our citizens who, without aid or guidance, has followed the true instincts of his own progressive nature and today takes his place … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Samuel White

It is perfectly natural to admire pluck and ambition in a young man, aid this no doubt is one reason why lie whose name heads this sketch has won so many friends during his residence here. Mr. White is a native of Georgia, and was educated at the University of Tennessee, at Knoxville. He was admitted to the bar in 1881, at the age of 21, and practiced his profession at Atlanta, Georgia, for three years in partnership with J. C. Reid, a prominent attorney. Moving to Grant’s Pass, Oregon, in the spring of 1985. he remained there two years. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Dr. E. Gagen

Is one of the most successful physicians in Baker County, and an honored citizen of Haines. He is one of those happy, good-natured men that we occasionally find in the professional ranks, and who, when we meet them, infuse new vim and vigor into one’s self by some mysterious magnetic power, not visible, but none the less effective. Born in Dublin. Ireland. June 1, 1858, he received his professional education in the Royal College of Surgeons and King and Queen College of Physicians, graduating in 1880. He then entered the service of the Royal Mall Steamship Co., remaining a year. … Read more

Herefords, Chandler

Prominent among the self-made men of this county is lie whose name heads this sketch, and who has been a prominent character in business and political circles for many years past. He was born in Missouri, September 1, 1845 and came here in 1862, and has resided here ever since, and has made a host of friends who have every confidence in his honesty, efficiency and integrity, and that they have not mistaken their man is evidenced by the fact that he has never betrayed them, and by his obliging and accommodating disposition has ever shown it willingness to do … Read more

Palmer Grocery Company

The above named house, one of the most representative in its line, was incorporated in May, 1894, by J. W. Daly and Joseph and C. L. Palmer. Their salesroom is tastefully furnished, and contains a choice and carefully collected stock of everything in the line of staple and fancy groceries, queensware, glassware, crockery, &c. They carry a very fine line of fancy groceries, and the scale of operations of this firm are such that they are enabled to offer very special inducements which the public has been quick to recognize, for the trade comes from all parts of the city, … Read more

Biographical Sketch of A. C. McClelland

A man of sterling worth and a well-known citizen of Baker City, was born in Indiana, June 18th, 1842. Moving to Wisconsin with his parents at an early age, he remained there till the spring of 1863, receiving his education in Berlin, Wisconsin. Moving to Montana he followed mining until the fall of ’64, when he cane across the mountains and located in the western part of the state till 1867, when he came to Baker County, where he followed mining and stockraising until the last day of December, 1889, when he was appointed Receiver of the Laud Office by … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Wellington E. Hurd

Is another of our representative men who was born in Ohio, and possesses that energy and vim characteristic of a native of that grand commonwealth. Leaving home at the age of sixteen he was employed for a year with the Adams Express Co. at St. Louis. He then went to Chicago, and accepted a position with J. I. Case Co. as traveling representative and remained with them for twenty years. He was connected with Slaver & Walker, of Portland, for the next six years. In 1895 he became interested in mining, and has remained in that business since. He has … Read more

Waterman & Schmitz

This representative enterprise dates its formation back to 1889. The premises occupied are on the corner of Front and Center streets, and are of ample dimensions for the storage of the large stock carried. Carrying a large stock of imported wines and liquors and cigars, their trade has steadily grown from a small beginning until today It is the largest in this section of the state. They cater extensively to the family trade, having such high grade goods in stock as Bond & Lilliard’s, McBrayer’s, Spring Hill, Old Hermitage, Old Crow, Jesse Moore, Crescent Rye and Bourbon, controlling the sole … Read more

Geddes & Pollman

This establishment is the principal one of its kind in Eastern Oregon, and in many respects the model one of the state. The present firm composed of J. A. Geddes and Wm. Pollman, succeeded Geddes & Kraft in 1889. At that time they were located in the rear of S. A. Heilner’s in a small building 18×30. In 1891 they established the City Market moved there altogether in 1894, but being continually pressed for room, last year erected their present building, the New Market. It is 25×100, two stories and is beyond doubt the best constructed building in town. No … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Bartlett Shipp

The profession of law has among its followers many young men possessed of the necessary qualifications which if judicially administered, will within a few short years, earn for them a prominent place in the ranks of the legal fraternity, there being today, as there has been for centuries past, “plenty of room at the top.” The subject of this sketch is one of that number who has it in his power to become a leader, having been favored by circumstances, and being possessed of energy, industry and ambition sufficient to nerve him to the contest and carry aim onward and … Read more

Biography of J. Nat Hudson

Nat. Hudson, the subject of this sketch, was born in Polk County, Oregon, August 20, 1852, and is near 46 years of age. Commencing when only 13 years old, he served 18 years as an apprentice and journeyman blacksmith and machinist, working at various times in the larger towns cities of the Pacific Coast. While working at his he studied late during his spare time, and in 1882 admitted to practice in the Oregon Supreme Court in the same class with Judge M. D. Clifford, Paul Deady and others. In May, 1884, he was, on motion of ex-governor Geo. L. … Read more

Biography of Henry Rust

A review of Baker City would be incomplete were we to omit mention of one of its most representative citizens. We refer to Henry Rust, proprietor of the leading brewery of this section, known as the Pacific Brewery. Mr. Rust was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1835, and came to this country shortly before the outbreak of the Civil War. He enlisted as a private in the 13th New York Regiment of Volunteers, and continued with it until 1862, when be was seriously wounded and had to leave the service. He was later appointed commissary and served until the close … Read more

F. W. Hendley’s Warehouse

Baker City is steadily growing in importance commercially, and one of the institutions that will largely contribute to this advancement is the subject of our sketch. It is situated on the O. R. & N. Co.’s track, one hundred feet from any other building, and being covered with corrugated iron, is virtually safe against fire. Their business is to both store and forward merchandise for interior merchants, and the handling of wool, grain, flour, sugar, salt. rolled oats and canned goods on commission. The cut we present of the warehouse hardly does justice to it. The owner, F. W. Hendley … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Dr. Wm. Lockwood Parker

Dr. William Lockwood Parker is well known to Baker ties as a skillful physician and surgeon. He is a native of Ohio, and from 1884 to 1887, was a member of the surveying party that laid out the railroad in this western country. In 1802 he took up the study of medicine, and In 1896 graduated from the Medical Department of the Oregon University, winning the Saylor prize for the highest general average. During the last year he acted as house surgeon at the Good Samaritan Hospital, and then for a year was surgeon for the Columbia & Astoria Railroad. … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Walter R. Hawley

Walter R. Hawley dealer in hardware, stoves and tinware, at Sumpter, Oregon, is a native Oregonian. He resided in the Willamette valley until 1890, receiving his education at the State Normal School at Monmouth, being a graduate of the latter. He then taught school to Gilliam County for a year, and in the Grand Ronde Valley for five years, being principal of the Summerville schools for three years. He then established himself in business in Union, remaining there until April, 1897, when he came, here and opened a hardware store. Minding his storeroom inadequate, he was shortly after compelled to … Read more

Biography of W. E. Baker

The above-named gentleman who operates the bakery on Main street, between Washington and Center, located here in March, 1894. He had a number of years experience in the business, and immediately went to work for C. Hollingsworth, and two years later bought him out. Finding the old quarters to small a year later he was compelled to move to his present place of business, which had been especially built for him. It is constructed of brick, 20×100 with a fine basement which he uses for storage purposes. His oven was constructed fit such a manner that he can use hot … Read more