Carey, Charles Henry.  "History of Oregon." Vol. 3. Chicago-Portland: Pioneer
Historical Pub. Co., 1922.  pp. 140-4
Includes portrait

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN WALLING, Jr.

Benjamin Franklin Walling, Jr., a representative of one of Oregon's honored
pioneer families, is numbered among the successful young business men of
Portland where he is now engaged in dealing in investment securities, with
offices in the Lewis building. He is a typical western man, wide-awake, alert
and enterprising and at all points in his career has been actuated by a
progressive spirit and firm determination that has enabled him to overcome all
obstacles and difficulties in his path and press steadily forward to the goal
of success. He has been instrumental in the promotion of large irrigation
projects and other public utilities and through his activities has contributed
in substantial measure to the development and upbuilding of the northwest.

Mr. Walling is one of Oregon's native sons. He was born at Hood River, July 4,
1884, of the marriage of Benjamin F. Walling, Sr., and Georgia M. (Comley)
Walling, the former born in Spring Valley, Polk county, Oregon, November 24,
1848, while the latter's birth occurred near Albany, in Benton county, this
state, February 7, 1854. The paternal grandfather, Jesse D. Walling, was born in
Ohio, April 1, 1816, and in 1836 he became a resident of Illinois. On the 1st of
December, 1839, he wedded Miss Eliza A. Wise, of New York, and in 1847 they
crossed the plains to Oregon as members of a company led by Captain Davidson,
reaching Spring Valley, Polk county, on Christmas day of that year. There the
grandfather followed farming for two years and in 1849 he went to California in
search of gold and engaged in mining in that state until 1851. Upon his return
to Oregon he established the town of Lincoln, in Polk county, where he built the
first docks, stores and flouring mill, also becoming a pioneer in the steamboat
business on the Willamette and Columbia rivers, being owner of the Peoples
Transportation Company, his labors constituting an important element in the
development and upbuilding of the state. Mr. Walling also outfitted the rescue
party which went to the assistance of the William Dierdorff company which was
stranded in the Cascade mountains while en route to Oregon City in the fall of
1854. Mr. and Mrs. Walling reared a family of fourteen children. He passed away
May 9, 1870, at the age of fifty-four years, one month and nine days, his death
being due to a runaway accident caused by a pet horse of the family. His wife's
demise occurred at Portland on the 10th of January, 1893, at which time she was
seventy-one years of age. J. B. Comley, the grandfather on the maternal side,
was born in Lancaster, Kentucky, September 21, 1827, and at Natchez,
Mississippi, he married Dorinda McFadden, who was a native of Louisiana, born
November 20, 1830. In 1853 they crossed the plains from St. Joseph, Missouri, in
an emigrant train under command of Dr. O. P. Hill, settling in that year in
Benton county, Oregon. While journeying near the Platte river a member of the
party named Babb, who was riding a white mule, accidentally killed a squaw and
fearing the revenge of the Indians they colored the mule black with the
assistance of Drs. O.P. and R.C. Hill, building a false bottom in the wagon, in
which they concealed Babb. For many days the Indians followed the train in quest
of Babb but finally abandoned the search without molesting the party. To Mr. and
Mrs. Comley were born three children, of whom Georgia M. was the only daughter.
At Albany, Oregon, on the 6th of November, 1872, she was united in marriage to
Benjamin F. Walling, Sr., and subsequently they removed to California, after
which they returned to Oregon, taking up their residence in Hood River in
November, 1875, the father there engaging in the hotel business until 1886. In
that year he went to Nampa, Idaho, arriving there just as the town was being
platted. He purchased fifty-three lots and also took a relinquishment claim of
one hundred and sixty acres a short distance north of the town and became active
in real estate circles there, being the pioneer in that line of endeavor in that
locality. He was long connected with the business life of the city, his efforts
proving a potent force in its development and improvement and he there continued
to reside until 1915, when he retired from active business pursuits and removed
to Portland. To Mr. and Mrs. B. F. Walling, Sr., were born four children: Dora
M., now deceased, who became the wife of D. A. Baxter who served for many years
as superintendent of schools at Nampa, Idaho; Frankie G, living at La Grande,
Oregon; Benjamin F., Jr., of this review; and Jesse J., a prominent real estate
dealer of Nampa, Idaho.

In the public schools of Nampa and Boise, Idaho, and of Portland, Oregon,
Benjamin F. Walling, Jr., pursued his education and when a young man of
twenty-one years he engaged in mining in the Silver City district of Idaho,
successfully continuing his operations along that line until 1907. In 1909 he
became interested in irrigation, pumping water onto the lowlands along the
Snake river. People at that time were very skeptical regarding the project,
which, however, later became a great success. Subsequently Mr. Walling went to
Salt Lake and became identified with the Beaver irrigation project in Beaver
county, Utah, the scene of his operations being two hundred and six miles south
of Salt Lake City. He was engaged in that work for two years and the venture
also proved a most successful one. He afterwards engaged in the bond business in
Chicago, Illinois, and in Boise, Idaho, raising eleven hundred thousand dollars
in Chicago and St. Paul, when but twenty-five years old, for the purpose of
financing the Beaver irrigation project. Subsequently he engaged in the bond
business in Seattle but not finding the work congenial he turned his attention
to coal mining. While residing in Washington he became interested in a project
promoted by two banks of that state, one located at Seattle and the other at
Centralia, for generating electric power from coal mines to supply the cities of
Centralia and Chehalis, Washington, but both institutions became insolvent and
Mr. Walling lost considerable money in the venture. However, he subsequently
retrieved this loss, returning to Centralia where he installed a two thousand
horse power generating plant which is still in operation. Later with an
associate he took over the Maxwell Land & Irrigation Company at Hermiston,
Oregon, and carried that project through to successful completion. He was also
the organizer of the Sherman County Light & Power Company and in association
with another formed the Washington-Idaho Water, Power & Light Company, which
serves Lewiston, Idaho, and vicinity and also towns in southwestern Washington,
his activities thus proving a most important element in the development of
various sections of the northwest. Subsequently he disposed of his interests in
these various companies and removed to Portland, Oregon, where he is now
residing, dealing in investment securities. His initiative spirit,
resourcefulness and splendid executive ability have led him into important
relations and his connection with any undertaking insures a prosperous outcome
of the same, for whatever he undertakes he carries forward to successful
completion. Although at times he has encountered discouragements and
difficulties which many another man would have found insurmountable he has never
lost courage but has steadily advanced until success has crowned his efforts.

On the 18th of March, 1908, in Caldwell, Idaho, Mr. Walling was united in
marriage to Miss Erma B. Hart, a daughter of James B. Hart, a resident of Salt
Lake City who crossed the plains in an early day, becoming a pioneer of Utah.
The only child of this marriage is a son, Benjamin Walling. In his political
views Mr. Walling is a stanch republican, interested in the welfare and success
of the party but without aspirations for public office, preferring to devote his
time and attention to the management of his extensive business interests. He
belongs to the Masonic lodge and in his daily life exemplifies the beneficent
teachings of that order. The name of Walling has ever been an honored one in
connection with the pioneer development and later progress of Oregon and
Benjamin F. Walling, Jr., is actuated by the spirit of advancement and
enterprise which dominated his forbears and which has been a most effective
force in the upbuilding of the northwest. Although still a young man he has
accomplished much, for his life has been one of intense activity, intelligently
directed into those channels through which flows the greatest good to the
greatest number and his efforts have brought him a measure of success that is
most desirable, at the same time proving of benefit to his fellowmen in many
fields. His integrity has never been open to question and his many sterling
qualities of character have gained him a high place in the respect and regard of
all who have been brought into contact with him.



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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in November 2006 by Jeffrey L. Elmer. 
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.