Page:Pen Pictures of Representative Men of Oregon.djvu/237

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
REPRESENTATIVE MEN OF OREGON.
197

gon, is world-wide. An interesting and happy little family add comfort and hope to Johnny's ambition, and we know of no one whose future success will give such general satisfaction to the people of Portland than the subject of this sketch.


WALLACE R. STRUBLE,

Another editor of the "Sunday Welcome," was born in Chesterville, Ohio, on June 4, 1856. He entered the Central Ohio College at an early age and remained there for some years. Before graduating he severed his connection with the above-named institution, where his time had been chiefly devoted to literary pursuits. He continued bis studies after leaving college, and soon found himself writing for the press. In 1873 he came to Oregon and has been so favorably impressed with the climate and people that he wisely concluded to remain. Since his advent in this State he has been connected in various capacities with different journals and has always shown himself competent and efficient. As a writer, Mr. Struble is light and vivacious, rather than deep and penetrating. As a delineator of humorous sketches, he stands prominent, and has the faculty of seizing upon the most prosaic facts and by a mere touch of the pen transform them into laughable episodes. He belongs to the noble army of benedicts, having married some years ago.


J. B. FITHIAN

Was born in Virginia, June 30, 1850, and commenced schooling in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Before the breaking out of the war in 1861, he went to Western Missouri and there remained until after the struggle. He then went to Wisconsin and finished schooling in the Seminary at Hudson, studied law at that city with Glover & Clinton, and was admitted to the bar at Eau Claire, in 1871. Proceeding to Omaha he was there' connected with the law firm of Redick & Briggs for a time, and then went to Kansas where, after about two years' practice, he embarked in the publication of the Topeka Daily and Weekly "Blade," and, after the assassination of his partner, became editor. In 1876 he was commissioned Captain of Company F, Second Kansas Regiment, called out by Governor Osborn to aid the Federal troops in the Indian war. In 1877 he was a delegate to the Kansas Democratic-Greenback-Labor Convention, which met in Wyandotte, and was elected Chairman of the State Central Committee of that party. The Convention represented 80,000 votes, but at the subsequent election polled about 30,000, the Democratic strength. As Chairman of the Committee, he published a letter dissolving the combination and advising the Democrats to maintain their organization distinct. He was afterwards editor of the Sedalia, Missouri, "Bazoo" (daily, weekly and Sunday morning editions). Coming to Portland, Oregon, he was for a time editor of the "Evening Telegram," and a reporter of the "Evening Bee." Then went to Oregon City and published the "Democrat" two years. During his stay there he was Chairman of the Democratic Central Committee of Clackamas county, and a member of the State Convention, which elected