In this county of ambitious agriculturists and well-conditioned homes, of thrift and continual advancement, no habitation exceeds in natural advantages of architectural appropriateness the rural home of Albert Walling, high-builded on the banks of the Willamette. With his partner, P.H. Jarisch, Mr. Walling operates two hundred acres of land, and though previous to 1898 engaging principally in the nursery business, he has since devoted his property to the raising of grain, potatoes and hay. He is one of the progressive, scientific and very successful farms of his neighborhood and bears an enviable reputation as man and citizen.
As far back as 1847, when pale faces were strange sights upon the plains and danger lurked in every foot of the way trodden by ambitious emigrants, a train of wagon, ox-teams, men, women and children, wound its way through wild Wyoming, its progress being later intercepted for a couple of days because of the birth of Albert Walling, June 24, 1847. George W. Walling, whose hope in the west had led him to subject his little family to the hardships incident to the hazardous journey, was born in Ohio, and for many years was a builder and contractor in Muscatine. Arriving in Oregon City, he lived there for a year and then took up a donation claim three miles below the town on the Willamette, where, in 1850, he stared one of the first fruit nurseries in the state of Oregon. Also, he became interested in ship building, and in getting out timber for that purpose, which he shipped to the San Francisco market. He was a well-known man around his accustomed haunts, was popular with all classes with which he had to do, and in his undertakings represented the true western spirit, tempered by eastern conservatism and sound judgment. His latter years were spent with his son, Albert, at whose home he died in 1892. To himself and his wife, Frances (Nye) Walling, were born eight children, of whom five sons and one daughter are living, Albert, the Wyoming child, being the first-born.
Until his thirty-fifth year, Albert Walling shared the successes of his father, and at that time bought the half interest in the property he now works. His fortunes have been materially augmented by the help and sympathy of his wife, who was formally Mary Bagby, and whom he married in Mollala, Ore., where her birth occurred. She is a daughter of William Bagby, who came to Oregon in 1852, settling on a claim near Mollala, where his death occurred in June, 1902. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Walling, of whom Elsie is the wife of Ernest Butler, an electrician; Lester is engaged in logging in British Columbia; Charles lives with his parents; Francis is at home; as is also Walter. Mr. Walling is fraternally identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the Grange. He is a Republican in politics, and at one time was county commissioner. The many sterling personal characteristics of Mr. Walling have been important factors in establishing his place in Clackamas county, and his breadth of mind, optimism, staunch devotion to friends and geniality find echo in the hearts of all with whom he is associated in whatever capacity.
Source: Portrait and Biographical Record of Portland and Vicinity. 1903. Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company.
Carol Ann Hilton 