Joseph Dennis Cremen

Joseph Dennis Cremen was born in County Cork, Ireland in about 1827 and died on August 17, 1862 Portland, Multnomah Co., Oregon.  He is buried at Riverview cemetery, Portland, Oregon (Mausoleum #329, Section 109).He crossed the Atlantic in early manhood and became a resident of New York in 1848.  The west however attracted him.  The news of gold had been received.

The following is an exerpt from the book Portland, Its History and Builders, by Joseph Gaston. Vol. 3 published 1911

Crossing the Atlantic in early manhood, he (Joseph Cremen) was a resident of New York in 1848.  The west however attracted him.  The news of the discovery of gold had been received and he relized that it meant not only the development of mining but other business interests which must spring up to meet the demands of the large influx of emigrants to the western coast.

Accordingly, determined to try his fortune in California and  on the 5th of March, 1849, sailed ont he steamship LEWIS around the horn.  While en-route the vessel was ship wrecked.  Although full steam was on it made no headway against the strong wind, and another three minutes would have dashed it against the rocks when the captain discovered the situation, put the wheel to and turned the boat.  The trouble occured on the 2nd of May and only the crew and the passengers made their way to land where they secured wood and water.  The moss was so thick upon the ground as to render it spongy and the men stood upon the branches of the trees to cut wood.  Members of the crew also secured wild geese and ducks which furnished a welcome addition to the cuisine.

On the morning of the 7th of July, about six o clock, Mr. Cremen landed at San Francisco.  It was largely a city of tents and rude cabins built upon the sand hills.  After a short while he turned his attention to the grocery business, which he followed in that city for several years, after which he brought the stock of goods to Portland.

In 1861 Mr. Cremen was united in marriage to Miss Mary McGettigan, or Gatens, for the name came to be spelled, the Irish form being dropped after the establishment of the family to America.  Mrs. Cremen was born October 30, 1839 and came to California in 1857.

Mrs. Cremen still has in her possession an interesting paper attesting the election of her husband to membership of the Multnomah Fire Company, No. 2, a volunteer organization of which men who are recognized as among the most prominent and wealthy residents of the city were also members.  He was likewise the first secretary of the Portland Hiberian Society, in which any man of Irish birth was entitled to membership.  This was about 1859.  He was also the secretary of the Washington Guuards, the first military company organized in Portland.  thus associated with the events of pioneer history.  He well deserves representation in the annals of this city.

Joseph Cremen went into partnership with Thomas McCann.  The grocery story was on the corner of 1st and Jefferson St. Lot (1), Block (14), building was 50 feet by 20 feet.  McCann went to San Francisco and purchased $1,400.00 worth of groceries.  Upon arriving back in Portland McCann stated he was not a partner, keeping the goods purchased.  Cremen went into the store trying to get his share of the merchandise when a fight occured.  With a lot of stock being broken.  The matter went to Supreme Court, October 3, 1857 McCann vs Cremen.  Cremen won the case.

By 1859 Joseph had the Columbian Saloon located on 1st and Washington, which he operated until his death in 1862.

On August 22, 1862 Mary had the home, Lot (2), block (63) put in the name of her daughter, Anna Maria, aged 8 months.  In Sept. 1862 Mary and Patrick Mackire were appointed guardians of the person and estate of Anna Maria cremen, a minor.

With the death of her husband Mary sold the Columbian Saloon at a private sale to her brother, Francis M. Gatens on October 17, 1862.

The below names were people owing debts to the Columbian Saloon from 1859 to August of 1861

1859- Jan
Joe Simson     $1.37
John Sanderson (worthless)     $8.12

Feb.
Ed Glyaran  (good)  $1.37
Mr. Poner  $2.00
Dan  (boiler maker)  $1.25
John Farley  $2.50
Mr. Dominic (worthless) $0.62
Mr. DeArcy (worthless)  $1.12

Mar.
Mr. Power  $1.00
Bill  (boiler maker)  $2.50

April
Mr. Lappens  (good)  $1.87
Dave Fety Williams  $13.37
Richard Harbut  $19.00
Mr. Lakins  $3.25

May
Harry Swift  (good)  $0.87
June
Jas. Downey  (runaway)  $14.62
John Braniff  (good)  $21.37
Larnsvey ? Stout  $20.12
H. Cooper  $8.37

Sept.
J. Tomilinson  (worthless) $36.62
W.L. McEvens (good)  $3.75
James McGrave  $2.87
Mr. Hallock (good)  $2.38
Robert Gray  $2.62
Dr. Hamilton  (worthless) $1.75

Oct.
James Brannam  $2.00
James McCormack  $1.00
Mr. Dryer  (worthless) $0.50

Nov.
E.  $0.87

Dec.
John Bowen  (worthless)  $2.75
R. Cardiff  $0.75
Fred O. Seany  $4.37 1/2
Mr. Dartiey  $1.25
Mr. Thompson (boiler maker gone)  $1.62
Mr. ???irmey  $1.25
Mr. Dennison  $9.25
Michael Shaw  $0.87
Mr. Kane (Sauvies Island good)  $0.50

1860-Jan
John Walsh (Calif.)  $7.25

Feb.
Mr. Jacobson $3.25

Mar.
Dominic Kavana (worthless)  $6.50
Sam Bothwell (good) $2.50
Mr. Roe (doubtful)  $0.87
Edward Marttia  $9.37

April
Mr. Wheeling  47.00

May
Mr. Riddles  (dead)  3.62
Arthur Green (worthless)  $4.37
June
Mr. Green  $15.50
Capt. Wm Baker  (good)  $16.12 1/2

July
Mr. Mortle  $0.88
Mr. James Ball (Calif.)  $2.75

Aug.
Mr. Sharkey  (good)  $1.63
Mr. Karney (good)  $1.25

Sept.
Cal  ???  (good)  42.50

Oct.
Harri  (good)  $3.75

Dec.
James Brannan  $26.38
William Watson  $0.75
Paudirre  $4.50
Bill Davis  $1.13

1861-Feb
C.D. Carter  $27.75
Bill James  $2.13
D. Loyan  (good)  $11.62
Michael Cooney  $1.50

March
John Bell  $2.00
James Brannan  $62.62

April
Mike White  $7.63
John Bell  $5.00

May
Mr. McCue  (good)  $5.38

June
Sam K. Hallercut  $4.13
Richard fitzgerald  $2.00
William Ahern  (carpenter good)  $2.00

July
Judge Waterman  (good)  $1.75
O. Joynt  (good)  $3.63
E. Murttey  $9.38

Aug.
Mr. Tomilinson  (worthless) $1.50
John Lillies  (good)  $8.63