Historic Hood River
Fruit Grading
5-13-2019
Notes
This is identified as Hal Nesbit and Ed Dresser (or Dreiske?) at the Maxwelton Orchard in 1912, operating one of the first Palmer fruit graders in the valley.
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The History Museum of Hood River County
Bringing the Rich History of Hood River County to Life
Charlott
Edward Ferdinand Dresser was a native Oregonian, born in Portland in 1886. He married Marie C. Mohr, who was the daughter of Peter Mohr and Anna Marie Denner, of Pine Grove. Ed was a farmer on Eastside Road and eventually built a very nice modern home where Mason Road comes into Eastside. The house was later owned by Bill and Normal Bradley and is now owned by the Lage’s.
They were the parents of two children, one named Jean. They were very involved in the Catholic Church and are both buried in the local Catholic Cemetery on Tucker road. The house was later the home of Bill and Norma Bradley and is now owned by Lage’s.
Hal Nesbit came to Hood River from back east after 1906. He lived at least for a time in the Barrett area. He never married and later was an auto tire repairman for H. R. Fields.
I have never heard of the name Maxwelton. Instead of a last name I am wondering if by chance it might not have been Max Welton?
That lamp in this photo just jumped out at me. Never have seen one quite like it.
Kenn
Charlotte, an amazing fountain of information, thanks for your memories and research.
Arthur
I noticed that lamp too. Not sure if it is gas or electric.
"Maxwelton" was the name of an orchard. There are some newspaper references to it too, and we have a few other images. It is described as being on the "east side" and the name seems to have been in use between 1910 and 1920. There was a "Maxwelton Hill" on the road, but that name seems to have faded out too.
Arlen Sheldrake
looks to me that the only electricity is headed for that motor on top the sorter….oil lamp?
kmb
I believe that is going to be an oil lamp. The chimneys on the two lamps are a clue, plus the oil reservoir or "font" between the lamps. You can buy a similar one from Columbia Lighting for $450 – or perhaps find one in your local antique store.
http://columbialightingcompany.com/shopping/pgm-more_information.php?id=47&=SID#MOREINFO
Judy
Thanks to Charlott we do not have to do the research. We could, but she can do it much better & faster.
L.E.
The May 28, 1913 Oregonian has a news clip about citizens of Hood River urging steps be taken to extend the Columbia River automobile road to Mosier, thence on to The Dalles.
County surveyor Kay and his crew have completed a survey which leaves the east side road at the gravel pit, near Maxwelton Orchard, and from there to the Wasco County line…..
L.E.
Even though the name seems unusual, there is a Maxwelton community on Whidbey Island, Washington, established in 1908. It was named after Maxwelltown, Scotland. In 1910, a Chautauqua festival was held there.
There was a Maxwelton race track in Missouri and an historic Maxwelton home in Tennessee.
In 1911 Bert Lowery was superintendent of the Maxwelton Orchard.
In the October 15, 1918 Oregonian, some young girls employed in the apple harvest, and camped at Maxwelton Orchards, were riding on the running board of a car which failed to stop at Maxwelton road and sideswiped a telephone pole, killing one of the girls. Edna Plog, whom we have seen in photos here at HHR, was also riding on the running board. She suffered minor injuries.