Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1919-03-04

station he gave especial attention to
the study of the dairy interests OF ne
state.
Elected -Four Years Ago
1t was in 1914 that the ambition of
his life was gratified-that of becom-
ling governor of the state of Oregon,
succeeding Oswald West January i,
1915.
| Even before there was thought of
/ this country becoming involved IN the
great war, Governor Withycombe was
q strong advocate Of preparedness and
i in all his addresses throughout the
state he urged the formation of local
military companies and the training of
the youth Of the high schools.
He was member of the Sigma Chi
| fratrenity. He was one Of the board of
trustees of the Oregon Academy of
Sciences and of the Northwest Wool
growers association. He had been pres
ident Of the Northwest Sheep Breed
ers association and of the Wool Grow
ers association. He was given the de-
gree of master of agriculture by the
Oregon Agricultural college and had
been an active member of the grange
and of the Elks lodge.
Had Dictated Biography
Some time ago while discussing his
love for fine livestock, his satisfaction
at seeing Oregon develop from an agri-
cultural standpoint. and his hopes for
the future, the late chief executive
was asked for a brief Biographical
sketch of his life, and he dictated and
approved the following statement:
"Was born on tenant farm in Eng
land and my father taught me the dig
nifty of labor early in life. At years
of age / began doing general chores
and milking cows morning and eve
nings. After getting through public
school my father purchased me nice
saddle horse upon which l rode three
miles to preparatory school. 1t was
then learned to admire good sad
die horse and | have never lost that
love. At this school, in addition to the
general studies, [ specialized under
special tutor in veterinary science.
Settled on Farm
g In 1871 / came with my parents to
Oregon and settled on farm near
Hillsboro. / did my first blowing on
this farm in the spring of 1872. In 1873
| purchased a farm on my own accord,
which operated personally for about
l5 years. At the same time praeticed
as veterinarian in Portland once a
week, doing the chores in the morning
and riding II miles and reaching
Portland by 8 O'Clock. Horses were
brought from Astoria, The Dalles and
Albany to Portland. The practice de-
veloped 50 largely that either had
to give up the farm or the practice, and
finally secured a man to run the farm
and moved to Portland During my
term on the farm my days were meas
ured by sunup andysundown, from 16 to
Is hours a day.
" In 1889 i was appointed state vet
erinarian and held this position for
nine years, when I resigned to accept |
the dictatorship of the Oregon Agri- |
cultural college experiment station.
While on the farm | was breed |
er Of Shorthorn cattle. Cotswold and
Shropshire sheep and Berkshire hogsa 4
"Drifted into politics because Of my |
admiration of Thomas H. Tongue, pro
NOTED his candidacy for state senator
and afterward for congress, and re-
gard Mr.. Tongue as the greatest states
man Oregon has ever produced.
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suburbs, according to dispatches re-
ceived from that city today. Military |