Clackamas-Multnomah County OR Archives Biographies.....Jacobs, Adolph R. ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/or/orfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Ila Wakley iwakley@msn.com January 23, 2011, 10:39 pm Source: History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Vol. III, Published 1928, Pages 766 - 767 Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company ADOLPH R. JACOBS. A product of Oregon City, Adolph R. Jacobs typifies the progressive spirit of the west and is widely and favorably known as the president of the great woolen mills which have been operated by members of the family for a period of sixty-three years. His father, Ralph Jacobs, was a native of Germany and came to the United States when about fourteen years of age. For a time he lived in New York city and then yielded to the lure of the west. He worked his way on a vessel which made the passage around Cape Horn and after reaching San Francisco he came by boat to Portland, Oregon. Early in the '50s he arrived in Oregon City, in which his brother Isaac settled at about that time, and here they established one of the first woolen mills in the northwest, securing the financial aid of local business men. They started with a small plant, purchasing the land from the heirs of Dr. John McLoughlin, and the business has been conducted at this location since its inception in 1864. Ralph Jacobs devoted his energies to the management of the local mill until 1873, when he located in Portland, and there resided until his death in 1900. He was identified with the Masonic order and manifested a deep interest in civic affairs, but neither sought nor held public office. In Germany he had married Miss Flora Kalisher and they became the parents of five children: Adolph R.; Ruby, who is Mrs. Phil Goss, of San Francisco; and Hilda, Frances and Miriam, who reside in Portland. Isaac Jacobs, who was about two years older than his brother Ralph, was also an important factor in the upbuilding of the industry and his demise occurred in 1920. His widow, Mrs. Clara (Burke) Jacobs, is living in California, her native state, and has four sons, whose interest in the business was purchased by Adolph R. Jacobs in 1922. The last named received his early instruction in Oregon City and pursued his high school studies in Portland. After completing his education he entered his father's plant, starting with a salary of twenty dollars per month, and worked his way through the various departments. As he mastered the technicalities of the business he was intrusted with heavier responsibilities and at one time was a traveling salesman for the firm, of which he is now the president. The other officers are: Joseph N. Teal, first vice president; Samuel Stern, second vice president; and Edward Schwab, secretary and treasurer. All are residents of Portland and sagacious, farsighted business men of high standing. The business is controlled by the Oregon City Manufacturing Company but is generally known as the Oregon City Woolen Mills. The old factory was destroyed by fire in 1873 and was replaced by a substantial modern plant. The company first made blankets and cloth of various kinds and now manufactures blankets for beds and automobiles as well as Indian robes, coats and other clothing. There are three modern garment factories, two of which are situated in Oregon City and one in Portland, and in addition the corporation maintains five retail stores, located in San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, Tacoma and Denver and more are contemplated. No cloth is sold by the house, which uses this material for the making of garments, and the bulk of the raw product is purchased in this region. The products of the company bear the trade name of "Jacobs' Oregon City Woolen, pure virgin wool" and are unexcelled in quality and workmanship. The output is handled by the sales organization of the house and much time and effort have been expended in attaining efficiency and economy of operation. The products of the mills are sold in every state of the Union and the firm is now the largest of its kind in the northwest. On its payrolls are the names of nine hundred employes and the plants are model institutions. Changing old methods to suit new conditions, Mr. Jacobs has kept the firm not only abreast but ahead of the times and is constantly increasing its prestige, manifesting administrative power and judgment in the conduct of his affairs. He belongs to the Kiwanis Club of Oregon City and to the Chambers of Commerce of this city and of Portland. A man of forceful personality and high principles, he has influenced Oregon's industrial development to a notable degree and possesses those qualities which inspire respect, confidence and friendship. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/or/clackamas/bios/jacobs1408gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/orfiles/ File size: 5.1 Kb