Page:Portland, Oregon, its History and Builders volume 3.djvu/210

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204
THE CITY OF PORTLAND

for twelve years state superintendent of public instruction in Minnesota and later a professor in the University of Minnesota, of which Mrs. King is a graduate. Unto Dr. and Mrs. King have been born three children: Rachel, Constance and David, aged respectively eighteen, sixteen and five years.

The family reside at No. 227 East Sixtieth street, in Mount Tabor, and are members of the Mount Tabor Presbyterian church, of which Dr. King is a trustee. His political views led to his indorsement of the candidates of the republican party. He belongs to the Sons of the American Revolution, also to the Phi Delta Theta, a college fraternity, and to the Arlington Club, and engaging social qualities have won him prominence in that direction, while his comprehensive study and native ability have gained him distinction in the professonal field.

JOHN BURKE CONGLE.

Among the names of distinguished men of the earlier days of Oregon, the name which appears at the head of this record should not be omitted. A pioneer of the early '50s, he assisted materially in the development of what was previously almost a wilderness, and twenty-three years ago he was called from the midst of a useful career by death. He will be remembered as one of the builders of the northwest, and an unselfish citizen of wealth and influence, who made use of his opportunities and talents for the advancement of the entire community.

Mr. Congle was born December 9, 1817, in Chester county, Pennsylvania. He was educated in the public schools, and at fifteen years of age went to Philadelphia, where he learned the harness and saddlery trade. Having completed his trade, he lived for a short time in Virginia, thence going to Missouri, which was just beginning to attract emigration from the older settled portions of the country. In 1841 he located in La Fayette, Indiana, which continued to be his home for a number of years.

The California gold excitement interfered with the plans of many aspiring young men, and Mr. Congle joined the train across the plains in 1849 ^^^ thus became identified with the argonauts whose stories of wealth in the golden sands of the Pacific aroused the entire country to dreams of sudden fortune. In 185 1 he returned to La Fayette and two years later again crossed the plains with Marysville (now Corvallis), Oregon, as his destination. There he made his home for eight years and became prominently identified with public affairs. He was the first mayor of Marysville and discharged his duties so acceptably that in 1857 he was elected sheriff of Benton county. As his business interests required close attention, he resigned the office at the end of three 'months to the great regret of many friends whom he had made in the county.

In 1861 Mr. Congle removed to Portland, which became his permanent home. For many years he was a leading business man in this city and, although he was never a seeker for public office, he served as councilman of the second ward in 1870, and in 1872 was chosen representative to the state legislature from Multnomah county. Other positions of responsibility and trust he discharged with a faithfulness that received the hearty approval of the entire community. At La Fayette, Indiana, he had become identified with the Masonic order, and after coming to Oregon he became prominent in its councils. In 1874 and 1875 he acted as grand master of Masons in this state, and in 1879 ^^^ 1880 was elected to the office of high priest in the order.

On the 21st of May, 1844, Mr. Congle was united in marriage to Miss Ellen H. Gray, at La Fayette, Indiana, who later crossed the plains with her husband to the northwest. Two daughters were born to them, one of whom is Mrs. G. A. Sollars, of this city, and the other is the deceased wife of Hon. Richard