Page:Portland, Oregon, its History and Builders volume 1.djvu/574

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
410
THE CITY OF PORTLAND

Mrs. Leland afterward married a Captain Andrews, and lived in Walla Walla until her death, which occurred some five or six years ago. Mrs. Leland was an estimable woman and had many warm friends in Portland.

Captain Henry L. Hoyt was engaged in steamboating on the Willamette and Columbia rivers for many years; he served as city marshal for a number of terms; he was deputy collector of customs under F. N. Shurtleff; he also held the office of U. S. shipping commissioner, and was always considered one of Portland's substantial citizens. Captain Hoyt died in Portland July 27, 1898, and is buried in Riverview.

E. S. Penfield, another sweet-voiced tenor, came from San Francisco to enter the employ of a prominent firm, McKee & Co. Mr. McKee was superintendent of the Sunday school of the First Congregational church at this time (1856-7); subsequently went to The Dalles, and in September, 1859, was a charter member of the First Congregational church at that place, and is now living near Canyon City, Grant county, Oregon.

Henry Law, an uncle of the late Henry Failing, at the time of the organization of this choir, was engaged in the commission business for himself. He died October 5, 1865, and is interred in the old Lone Fir cemetery.

Harley McDonald had a fine bass voice. He, like Mr. Wyatt, began the study of music when a mere lad. Mr. McDonald assisted in the capacity of carpenter and builder, in the construction of the church edifice in which the first meetings were held by the First Congregational church of Portland. This building was commenced in 1850 and finished some time in 1851. It was situated on the northwest corner of Second and Jefferson streets, Rev. Horace Lyman in charge.

Mr. McDonald was a promoter and part owner of Portland's first brick yard. This yard was located in a "clearing" near the present city hall building. Fifth and Jefferson streets; i. e., in this vicinity—there were no streets then—simply a "cleared" spot in the forest.

Mr. McDonald was also the architect and builder of the First Congregational church at Forest Grove, Oregon. There being no planing mills in the vicinity of Forest Grove at this time, all of the sash and door work, the pews and the pulpit were made by hand. He also sang in the choir of this church. An incendiary fire destroyed this old historic structure, July 18, 1901. In 1865 Mr. McDonald had charge of the Congregational choir at Salem, Oregon. He died, after many months of suffering, at Mt. Tabor, near Portland, on July 29, 1902, and was buried in the cemetery at Forest Grove, Oregon.

T. Brooks Trevett had a splendid bass voice, and he was an enthusiastic singer. He was always pleased to assist in oratorios and public concerts. Mr. Trevett was an excellent hardware salesman. For many years he was connected with the old firm of Corbett & Failing, later Corbett, Failing & Robertson. Afterward he entered the employ of the Honeyman Hardware Company, with which he was associated at the time of his death March 7, 1901, and buried in Lone Fir cemetery.

Adam R. Shipley had an excellent bass voice and was a thorough musician. Before coming to Oregon he was a member of a quartette of mixed voice, which acquired fame in the eastern states as "The Ohioans" and travelled throughout the country giving concerts.

In Portland's democratic halcyon days, Mr. Shipley was postmaster under two administrations, i. e., Presidents Franklin Pierce and James Buchanan. He was a popular man and held the office from his appointment by President Pierce November 4, 1854, until succeeded by Herman W. Davis, a republican, who was appointed May 21, 1861, by Abraham Lincoln.

Mr. Shipley was also in the stationery and book business, and had for a partner the Rev. C. S. Kingsley. This business, except for several changes in ownership, has been continued up to this time; the well known firm of J. K. Gill & Co. being the present owners of what is now the oldest established book and stationery store on the Pacific coast.