Portland, Oregon: Its History and Builders/Volume 2/George Washington Weidler
GEORGE WASHINGTON WEIDLER.
George Washington Weidler, identified with the history of the west from the old days of the pony express to the time of his death, more than a half a century later, lived for a time in Salt Lake City, afterward in other parts of Utah and Nevada, and in 1866 arrived in Portland. Already this city had made some strides toward the attainment of its present proud position and yet its conditions were but embryonic. His business ability and initiative spirit enabled him to enthuse new life into the community and to institute projects which have been of the greatest benefit in promoting Portland's welfare. Macaulay has said that the history of a community is best told in the lives of its people, and an important chapter in Portland's progress is covered by the life record of George Washington Weidler. A native of Pennsylvania, he was born at Lancaster, October 22, 1837, a son of Isaac C. and Catherine (Gaelbach) Weidler, who were born in the Keystone state but were of Swiss-German descent.
In the common schools of his native city George Washington Weidler pursued his early education and afterward attended school at Mount Joy and at Strausburg, Pennsylvania, where he was a pupil in a boarding school. On account of his health he was then sent to St. Louis, Missouri, where he became a clerk in a hardware store that afterward rated as the largest in that city. Subsequently he was employed as freight clerk on steamboats running from St. Louis to New Orleans, and afterward was made superintendent of a wagon train of mule teams that was conveying a stock of goods to Salt Lake City to be used in the establishment of a e-eneral store there. This was in 1855. Mr. Weidler remained there for three years and clerked in a store, after which he went to Fort Bridge and was made agent for the pony express, there continuing until about 1861. He next became agent for a stage coach company running stages between Carson City and Virginia City, filling that position for about two years. At the end of that time Ben Holladay offered him the choice of several positions and he accepted that of purser on a steamboat running between San Francisco and Maxland. He acted in that capacity for several years, his obliging manner as well as capable business ability making him popular with the patrons of the road as well as with the promoters of the business. He came to Portland for the same company in 1866 and was made agent at this place, continuing in that connection until Mr. Holladay sold out about 1883. During that time he had also engaged in other business. He was associated with Mr. Holladay in the ownership and conduct of an extensive saw-
mill and also in the first electric light plant in Portland. Mr. Weidler was agent for all the steamboat lines whose vessels docked at Portland, became interested in the first street car line, in the first crematory and the first electric light plant in his place. He was preeminently a man of affairs and became an active factor in promoting and controlling many of the most important business undertakings in this city. He was manager of the Oregon Transfer Line, and in this and other connections became closely associated with freight and passenger transportation in this part of the country. He lived to witness many changes from the days of the stage coach and the pony express in the west, to that of modern travel by steamboat and train. His ready recognition of opportunities led him to cooperate in movements which have been of practical and great value to the community and have constituted important features in the development of Portland's commercial and industrial interests.
Mr. Weidler was united in marriage at Portland on the 1st of October, 1879, to Miss Hattie L. Bacon, a daughter of Charles P. H. and Clara A. (Clark) Bacon, who were among the early settlers here. Her father was born in Camden, New York, on the i6th of April, 1821, and was a son of Dr. William and Harriet L. (Hunt) Bacon, who were of English descent. Her father was a pupil of the public schools of Camden, and afterward learned the printer's trade. When a small boy, however, he removed to Michigan with his parents, and later the family took up their abode in Princeton, Illinois. Charles Bacon worked on the Erie canal during the time of its construction, and was a pioneer resident of the middle west, but the Pacific coast country attracted him and on the 4th of March, 1850, he started from Princeton across the plains, arriving in Oregon City on the 4th of September. He made the long Journey on horseback in company with a single companion, Mr. Turner. After arriving at Oregon City he secured work with Mr. Lovejoy, the owner of a sawmill there. His limited capital rendered immediate employment necessary for he had but fifty cents when he reached his destination. He remained in Mr. Lovejoy's services through the winter and then came to Portland, where he began driving a dray for Mr. Sherlock. He had in the meantime, however, worked in Portland for a time for Mr. Barnhart and Mr. Pritchard, well known pioneers settlers here. After remaining in Mr. Sherlock's employ for a time, he formed a partnership with him that was maintained until 1863, when they partially divided their interests, and Mr. Bacon returned to the east. They did not entirely separate their business interests, however, until about 1900. They owned considerable property, both city and farm land, and also conducted a harness business and dealt in fine horses.
In 1855 Mr. Bacon became agent for the Wells Fargo Express Company and traveled around the country delivering packages during the Indian w'ars. He and his partner purchased what became known as the Sherlock block, and owned considerable other property in Portland, the extent and nature of their interests making them prominent and representative citizens of the city. Mr. Bacon not only figured actively in business circles but also served as councilman in the early days, filling the position in 1858, and thus taking part in shaping the municipal welfare of Portland during its formative period. He was an active, helpful and prominent member of the Episcopal church and served as vestryman throughout the greater part of his life. He was one of the first vestrymen in Portland and was filling that position at the time of his death, which occurred February 10, 1901. He was laid to rest in the beautiful Riverside cemetery, where the grave of his wife was made by his side. She was born in Warren, Maine, March 24. 1828. and they were married in Portland, January 17, 1855, at the house of Captain Richard Hoyt. the wedding ceremony being performed by Bishop Scott of the Episcopal church. Mrs. Baron had been previously married, her first husband being Captain Goodwin, with whom she came around the Horn about 1852. She made several trips to the Pacific islands with her husband, who later died at sea. Mrs. Goodwin, who afterward became Mrs. Bacon, then made her home in Portland and was here married the second time. She continued to live all her later life in this city and was one of the most highly esteemed and best known pioneer women here. Her death occurred March 17, 1906. Their children, beside Mrs. Weidler, were: Lizzie, who was born in August, 1858, in Portland, and died in 1861; and Charles H., who was born May 26, 1860, and is now living in Seattle.
The other member of the Bacon family was Mrs. Weidler, who has spent her entire life in Portland and has practically witnessed its entire growth from a village to its present metropolitan proportions. She attended a school which stood on the present site of the Portland Hotel, living in a district that is now the business center of the city. On the 1st of October, 1879, she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Weidler and they became the parents of seven children, of whom two died in infancy.
The death of Mr. Weidler occurred on the 19th of September, 1908. According to his wish his remains were cremated and his ashes now lie in the family lot. During the latter part of his life he joined the Episcopal church. He was prominentlv associated with the first clubs of Portland, becoming a charter member of the Portland, the Arlington and the Commercial Clubs. His name is inseparably interwoven with the history of the city and he left the impress of his individuality upon its business development, its municipal advancement, and its social progress. Throughout his life he looked beyond the exigencies of the moment to the possibilities of the future and so he utilized opportunities which others passed heedlessly by. He seemed to understand just when the time was ripe to institute new projects and the spirit of enterprise which animated his every action made him a leader and valued factor in much of the development and upbuilding of the city. No history, therefore, would be complete without extended and prominent reference to George Washington Weidler.