Clatsop County OR Archives Biographies.....Clinton, J. C. September 6, 1864 - ************************************************ 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 February 16, 2011, 3:09 am Source: History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Vol. III, Published 1928, Pages 980 - 981 Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company J. C. CLINTON. One of the most capable and popular officials of Clatsop county, Oregon, is J. C. Clinton, whose repeated reelections to his present office of county clerk and recorder stand in indisputable evidence of the very satisfactory service which he has rendered, as well as of his excellent personal qualities. Mr. Clinton was born in Astoria, Oregon, September 6, 1864, a son of Nicholas and Sarah J. (Ross) Clinton. His father, of English descent, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, May 12, 1831, and his mother, who came of Scotch ancestry, was born in Peoria, Illinois. Mr. Clinton's great- grandfather, William Clinton, who also was a native of Philadelphia, was a member of an old American family, the progenitor of which came from England to this country in early colonial days. The grandfather, James Clinton, who was a ship carpenter by trade, went to California, by way of the Isthmus of Panama, in 1849, and worked at his trade in San Francisco for three years. In 1852 he located in Portland, Oregon, then a small village, and built a shipyard on the Willamette river. There he built the first stern-wheel steamer navigated on the Willamette river, which he named the "Clinton." He was boss carpenter for the Oregon Steam Navigation Company for a number of years, and his death occurred in Portland. His son, Nicholas Clinton, was reared and educated in his native city and there learned the trades of ship carpenter and moulder. In 1859 he came to Oregon, by way of the Isthmus of Panama, and for a year or two was in the employ of the Oregon Steam Navigation Company. While living in that city he was appointed superintendent of streets in East Portland, but resigned that position and moved to Astoria, where he took up the contracting business, specializing in driving piling for wharfs. Returning to Portland, he took a number of railroad contracts from Ben and Joe Holladay, and also worked as foreman in his father's shipyard until the latter's death, in 1870, after which he started in business for himself as a general contractor. He constructed the first street railway in Portland for Ben Holladay, the old Front street horse car line, and also built the road from Clarendon to South Portland. Returning to Astoria, he continued in the contracting business, building streets, driving piling and constructing wharfs, and most of the Astoria wharfs were built by him, during which work he had two pile drivers engaged on the larger jobs. He was actively engaged in business almost to the time of his death, which occurred October 21, 1904. His wife survived him a number of years, passing away February 27, 1915. Her father, Job Ross, started across the plains, with ox teams and covered wagons, in 1851, but was forced to go back because of the demonstration of hostile Indians. He spent the ensuing winter on the Missouri river, and in the spring he again started westward, arriving safely in Oregon. He located in Astoria, where he was for many years engaged in the hotel business, and his death occurred in this city. To Nicholas and Sarah J. Clinton were born six children, namely: J. C.; William E., deceased; James Ross. who is deputy county clerk of Clatsop county and lives in Astoria; Nicholas, Jr., deceased; DeWitt, who resides in Portland; and Mrs. Mary Wallace, of Portland. J. C. Clinton received his education in the public schools of Astoria, after which he assisted his father in the contracting business for a few years. He then opened a cigar store in Astoria, which he conducted for six years, and in July, 1894, was appointed deputy sheriff of Clatsop county, serving four years. In 1898 he was nominated by the republican party for county recorder and was elected, serving two years. That office was abolished, or, rather, consolidated with that of county clerk, and Mr. Clinton was appointed deputy county clerk, in which capacity he served two years. In 1902 he was candidate for county clerk and recorder on the republican ticket and was elected, assuming the office on July 7, 1902, and he has been reelected continuously since, while at the primary election in the present year he received the nomination of both republican and democratic parties, which assures him of reelection for another term. This is a well deserved tribute to his faithfulness and efficiency. Mr. Clinton has always been a republican in his political affiliation and, in addition to his official relations and duties, he has shown a keen interest in matters concerning the welfare and progress of his city and county, being regarded as one of its most dependable citizens. He is a member of Astoria Lodge, No. 180, B. P. O. E., and is vice president of the United Investors' Corporation of Astoria, a building and loan association, which has had a very successful record. Mr. Clinton is a man of sterling character, sound judgment in practical matters and unquestioned integrity, while socially he possesses to a marked degree those traits which make for lasting friendships, so that throughout Clatsop county he commands the sincere respect and good will of the people. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/or/clatsop/bios/clinton1523gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/orfiles/ File size: 5.8 Kb