George Washington Shaver (March 2, 1832 – October 26, 1900) was an Oregon pioneer, and, with his sons, a founder of Shaver Transportation Company. He is typically referred to as George W. Shaver or G.W. Shaver.
George Washington Shaver | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | March 2, 1832 |
| Died | October 26, 1900 (aged 68) Portland, Oregon, US |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Known for | Founder of Shaver Transportation Company |
| Spouse | Sarah Dixon (1836–1910) |
Early life edit
George Washington Shaver was born in Campbell County, Kentucky on March 2, 1832.[1]
George W. Shaver arrived in Oregon 1850.[2] Shaver had first gone overland to California for the 1849 gold rush.[2] Shaver settled briefly in Waldo, Oregon, in Josephine County, where he tried gold mining again.[1] This did not prove successful, so he relocated to Portland, Oregon, arriving there on February 2, 1854.[1]
About this time he was married to Sarah Dixon (1836–1910), whose parents, James and Susan Dixon, were residents of Roseburg.[1] The Dixons had originally come from Kentucky.[3]
Following the marriage, Shaver resided with his wife on a farm in Marion County, Oregon.[1] They had four children together when they lived on the farm.[1] After relocating to Portland in 1860 they had six more children.[1] They lived in what is now known as the Irvington addition in Portland.[1]
The Shaver residence in Portland was located between Crosby and Larrabee Streets and Cherry and Broadway.[3] It was still in existence in 1910.[3]
Business career edit
Shaver entered the business of supplying wood to steamers for use as fuel, including both riverine and ocean-going vessels.[1] This resulted in the clearing of large timber tracts.[1]
In 1880, Shaver, with his son Capt. James W. Shaver, H.L. Corbett (later a U.S. Senator), and Capt. Charles Bureau, became a partner in the People's Freighting Company and also in the small stern-wheel river steamer Manzanillo, which ran on the Columbia River between Portland and Clatskanie, Oregon.[2]
In 1884 the Shaver family bought out all the non-family shareholders in the firm.[2] They built two new steamboats. First was the G.W. Shaver, named after George Washington Shaver, and the Sarah Dixon, named after his wife.[2]
Shaver Transportation Company was incorporated in 1893 and took over all the assets of the People's Freighting Company.[2] The stockholders were George W. Shaver and his sons, Captains James W. "Jim" Shaver (1859–1922) and George McClellan Shaver (d. January 11, 1950).[2] Shaver had another son, Capt. Lincoln "Link" Shaver (d.1922).[2] Capt. Delmer "Del" Shaver was another son.
George Washington Shaver was the president of Shaver Transportation Company, while his son James M. Shaver was secretary and treasurer.[1]
Jim and Lincoln Shaver were killed in 1922, in a collision between an automobile and an electric train.[2]
In May 1886, the Democratic Party of Multnomah County, Oregon nominated George W. Shaver for the position of county commissioner.[4]
Children edit
Children of George W. Shaver and Sarah Dixon included:
- John Riley Shaver (1854–1906), married to Martha J. King (1856–1923).
- James W. "Jim" Shaver.[3]
- George McClellan Shaver (1865–1950), married to Maude Keenan (1872–1855).[3]
- Delmar "Dell" Shaver.[3]
- Lincoln "Link" Shaver (1861–1922), married to Bertha Kettler (1867–1946).[3]
- Mary Alice Shaver, married to H. Wittenberg.[3]
- Susan Elizabeth Shaver (1869–1957), married to Albert Heintz.[3]
- Pearl M. Shaver, married to George W. Hoyt.[3]
Death edit
George Washington Shaver died on October 26, 1900.[1] His body was buried in Riverview Cemetery.
Notes edit
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Carey, Charles Henry (1922). "George Washington Shaver". History of Oregon. Vol. II (2nd ed.). Portland, OR / Chicago, IL: The Pioneer-Historical Publishing Company. p.308.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Newell, Gordon R., ed. (1966). H.W. McCurdy Marine History of the Pacific Northwest. Seattle, WA: Superior Pub. Co. pp. 177, n.7, 305, and 578. LCCN 66025424.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Body Laid to Rest – Mrs. Sarah Dixon Shaver Is to Be Buried Today", Morning Oregonian, vol. 50, no. 15, 352, Portland, OR, 9, col.3, February 9, 1910
- ^ Fred P. Nutting, ed. (May 7, 1880), "Good Ticket", State Rights Democrat, vol. 21, no. 41, Albany, OR: Stites & Nutting, 3, col.5
References edit
Printed sources edit
- Carey, Charles Henry (1922). History of Oregon. Vol. II (2nd ed.). Portland, OR / Chicago, IL: The Pioneer-Historical Publishing Company.
- Newell, Gordon R., ed. (1966). H.W. McCurdy Marine History of the Pacific Northwest. Seattle, WA: Superior Pub. Co. LCCN 66025424.