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Armstrong, Bonser, Cunningham, Cooper, Copeland, Ham, Henrici, Knox, Thomas

Pioneers of 1852

GEORGE & ISAAC HAM

1837 – 1896

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George and Isaac Ham were probably brothers.  In the Oregonian obituary for Isaac it says that Isaac came across in 1852. He was born in Illinois of Scottish parents. The parents died of cholera.   (John and Jane Copeland Ham) A story in Gaston’s History of Oregon says he came with his uncle to The Dalles in 1852.

 

Another story says he walked barefoot all the way to Oregon. It appears that his uncle was Henry Thomas who was married to Mary Copeland. Mary was the sister of Isaac’s mother Jane Copeland.  Isaac always lived close to George and named his first son after George.

 

1860  In census records George is listed living alone on Sauvie Island in House #113.

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    He is listed as a farmer, age 22 and born in Illinois. This property was on the Washington side of the island near Willow Point.  Living next to him was George Knox. (husband of Jane Thomas, daughter of Henry Thomas and Mary Copeland)

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    George is listed as a farmer but he was much more.  He was heavily involved in the Steamboat activities on the Island. 

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 1861   Isaac Ham married Mary S. Bacon, daughter of James/Jesse Bacon of St. Helens. They moved to Portland, Oregon. He was employed by the Multnomah Box Company until he retired in 1910. Other stories have him working on ships most of his life.

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            Gaston’s History of Oregon writes of him as a well known and respected riverboat Captain.  He was licensed as a Pilot and Engineer. He served between Astoria and Portland for more than half a century. “Captain Ham is proud of the changes which have been made in the Columbia river. As one of the pioneer river men he guided many a craft to Celillo Falls and portaged them beyond long before  the canal was built.” (Gaston’s History of Oregon)

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 1862  During this year George sold his land to Hilton Bonser. Hilton was the brother in law of George Knox.  George Knox and Hilton were both married to daughters of Henry Thomas. After this sale George moved to Portland near Isaac Ham.

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    George owned and operated the “Eagle” an iron propeller steamboat with J. D. Tackleberry.  It operated on the Willamette and Columbia rivers. (Dryden)

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1869  George sold the “Eagle” and he and Tackleberry built the “Webfoot.”         They ran it on the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the towing business for 10 years. (Dryden)

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1869  Sarah Elizabeth French, widow of William P. French, became the wife of George Ham on March 9, 1869. She was the daughter of Alexander and Rebecca Enyart McQuinn.  Sarah’s sister, Mary Ann, was married to Clinton Bonser, brother of Hilton. (Marriage info was found in Oregon Pioneer Register, DAR.  GFO & OHS)

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During this year they are listed in the Portland City Directory  (Polk) living at 2nd and Harrison. (GFO, OHS)

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 1871  Sarah’s parents were deceased by this time. George was appointed guardian for her two youngest sisters, Alzada and Lizzie McQuinn. Her young brother John was without a guardian.  George asked the court to provide one for him. (Multnomah County, Oregon Intestate, Book 1, No. 314, pg 335, Probate of Alexander McQuinn)

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1872  The firm of Ham, Taylor and Co. was formed and “Ben Holladay” was purchased. The firm of Ham, Taylor and Co. built the “Rustler” and the “Kehani”. (Dryden)

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1873  George is listed as a contractor in the City directory.  He is living with Sarah at the corner of Second and Harrison.   

  

       George went before the court and asked for a guardian for John McQuinn and money for the keep of Alzada and Lizzie McQuin.

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 1874  George is listed as a Sand Merchant living at the NW corner of Second and Harrison. (City Directory at GFO)

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            Isaac Ham is listed as an engineer living at the NW corner of Second and Caruthers. (City Directory at GFO)

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 1875  George Ham is listed as a Sand Merchant living at the NW corner of Second and Harrison. (City Directory at GFO)

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            Isaac Ham is listed as an engineer living at the NW corner of Second and Caruthers. (City Directory at GFO)

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1876  George Ham is listed as a Contractor living at the NW corner of Second and Harrison. (City Directory at GFO)

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            Isaac Ham is listed as an Expressman living at the NW corner of Second and Caruthers. (City Directory at GFO)

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1877  George Ham is listed as a Teamster living at the NW corner of Second and Harrison. (City Directory at GFO)

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            Isaac Ham is listed as an Expressman living at the NW corner of Second and Caruthers. (City Directory at GFO)

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 1878  George Ham is listed as a Teamster living at the NW corner of Second and Harrison. (City Directory at GFO)

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            Isaac Ham is listed as an Expressman living at the NW corner of Second and Harrison. (City Directory at GFO)

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1879  George Ham is still listed as a Teamster.  His addre

ss has changed to 395 Second.  (This is the same place but the city has changed the addresses). (City Directory at GFO)

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            Isaac Ham is listed as an Expressman. His address is now 75 Second (City Directory at GFO)

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1880  Beginning in 1880 George is listed as the proprietor of a sand yard, living at 395 Second. (City Directory at GFO)

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            Isaac Ham is listed as an Expressman living at 75 S Second. (City Directory at GFO)

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 1881  George is listed as a Teamster living at 395 NW Harrison. (This is the NW corner Of Harrison. Harrison is 6 blocks south of Jefferson, west from Water to 16th). (City Directory at GFO)

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            Isaac Ham is listed as an Expressman living at 75 S Second, NW corner of Caruthers. (City Directory at GFO)

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 1884  J. M. Nickum is listed as a Steamboat Engineer living at 190 Tenth.  Later he will be a partner of George Ham in the Steamboat business.

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 1885  George is listed as a partner in Ham, Nickum and Kelley.

            In the ad for Ham, Nickum and Co. it says they do Lightering, Towing and Freighting.  The Portland City Directory says they do Towing and Freighting and Dealers in Sand, Rock and Gravel foot of Main.

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 1890  The steamboat “Rustler? Burned.

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 1896  George died on August 1st at age 59, He is buried at Riverview Cemetery in Portland, Oregon. His wife, Sarah was his only heir. She was still living at 395 Second street in Portland.

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            The firm at that time was owned by George Ham, J. M. Nickum, W. J. King and J. F. Kelley. Listed in the inventory of the firm were 2 steamers, 2 barges, a winch, a dredger, a rock crusher, 5 horses, 4 wagons, a truck, cart and much more miscellaneous equipment.

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            The two steamers were, Hustler and Kehani. The barges were Jo-Jo and Henry L.  (listed in the Probate packet of George Ham.) (Probated Intestate Estates, B, Fee Book B, pg 297,

Probate No 3, 183)  This was a very long and detailed probate.

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             Their real estate holdings were in Sellwood, Albina, Proebstal’s subdivision, Arbor Lodge, Mock’s Landing and an office bldg. at the foot of Union Street. 

         

Below are the descriptions found in the Probate packet

Lot 4, Block 135

Lots 2-4, Block 25, Sellwood

Lot 41, Block 14, Albina

E. 45 ft of Lots 9 and 10, Block 5, Proebstal’s subdivision

Lots 22 and 23, Arbor Lodge

1 ½ A scnd bank Mock’s Landing, Sec 18, T 1E, R 1E

Office Bldg., foot of Union Street

 

            Sarah’s interest in the business was taken over by J. M. Nickum and it appears the other properties were sold.  Sarah remained at their residence at 395 Second until her death.

 1905  Sarah passed away on 13 June and was buried at Riverview Cemetery. She was 63 years old.

 

 

 

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