Columbia County OR Archives Biographies.....Blumensaadt, Nicolai Neiman June 22, 1879 - ************************************************ 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 October 24, 2009, 12:36 pm Source: History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Vol. III, Published 1928, Pages 91-92 Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company One of the most prominent and influential citizens of Rainier, Oregon, in Nicolai N. Blumensaadt, manager of the Rainier Mine Company, Inc., well known manufacturers of soap, and the owner of a prosperous insurance business. He was born in Odense, Denmark, June 22, 1879, and is a son of Nicolai N. and Birgite (Lassen) Blumensaadt. His grandfather, who bore the same name, was graduated in chemistry from the University of Jena, Germany, and in 1835 established a soap factory at Odense, Denmark, which he operated until his death, when it was taken over by two sons. Nicolai Blumensaadt went to France in the late '60s for the purpose of taking a course in chemistry, which study he pursued until the breaking out of the Franco-Prussian war in 1870, when he was compelled to leave Paris. Returning to his home city, he devoted his attention to the soap business established by his father and carried it on successfully until his death. Nicolai N. Blumensaadt, of this review, received a good preliminary education in the public schools of his native country, after which he attended and graduated in chemistry from the Polytechnic School at Copenhagen. He worked in a soap factory in that city for several years and later became superintendent of his father's plant, which he carried on until the business was incorporated, when he resigned. Because of his enforced service in the Danish army, he determined to come to the United States and landed at New York city, April 19, 1904. On coming here he wisely decided to enter fully into the life and spirit of this country and took out his first citizenship papers within ten days after his arrival. Shortly afterward he went to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where for about one year he worked in a soap factory, and then came to Rainier, Oregon, as manager of the Preston Manufacturing Company, makers of the Rainier mineral soap, which concern had been organized in 1904 by Dean Blanchard, who was president, and L. S. Thomas, vice president. In 1908 these gentlemen sold the business to A. J. Wright of Buffalo, New York, and the name was changed to the Rainier Mine Company, Inc., of Buffalo, New York, with the following officers: A. J. Wright, president; A. B. Wright, secretary and treasurer; and N. N. Blumensaadt, manager. The principal material used in the manufacture of the Rainier mineral soap is mined in eastern Oregon and shipped to the factory at Rainier. The plant, which has a productive capacity of two hundred thousand cakes of soap a month, is operated by steam power and gives employment to twenty persons. The antiseptic and healing qualities of this soap are widely recognized and it has the strong endorsement of many of the leading physicians of this country. Mr. Blumensaadt is also manager of the Rainier Land Company, owned by the Wrights, who have one hundred and fifty acres of land in the city of Rainier and about two hundred acres outside the corporation limits. Mr. Blumensaadt has an insurance business in Rainier, which demands a portion of his time, and with all of these interests he is a very busy man. Mr. Blumensaadt was married in 1910 to Miss Minnie Brondum, who was born in Denmark, and they had a daughter, Helen, who was born in Rainier and is now attending high school. In 1918 Mr. Blumensaadt was married to Miss Mabel Bentley, who was born in Pendleton, Oregon, and is a daughter of John M. Bentley, who crossed the plains with ox teams and covered wagon in an early day and settled in Umatilla county, Oregon, where he engaged in farming to the time of his retirement, and is now living at Pendleton. He served as sheriff of Umatilla county, was county assessor for several years and was at one time deputy United States marshal of Oregon. His wife died in 1906. Mrs. Blumensaadt has taken an active interest in the social and civic affairs of Rainier, is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and has been a leader of the Camp Fire Girls. Mr. Blumensaadt gives his political support to the republican party and is a chairman of the county central committee. He belongs to Rainier Lodge, No. 24, A. F. & A. M., of which he has been secretary since 1919; Portland Consistory, A. A. S. R.; and Al Kader Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is a member of Rainier Lodge No. 58, K. P., in which he has passed through the chairs, and Rainier Lodge, No. 151, I. O. O. F. He has taken a deep interest in the public affairs of his city and is now serving his second term as city treasurer. He was for six years a member of the water commission, being chairman of the board for two years, and is an active member of the Chamber of Commerce, of which he was secretary for five years and president one year. He took an active and effective interest in the building of the Columbia River highway through Rainier, and is a member of the Oregon State Chamber of Commerce, having attended its first meeting. He has proven faithful to every trust, has shown himself a man of clear headed judgment and fine public spirit, and throughout this community commands the unqualified confidence and esteem of his fellowmen. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/or/columbia/bios/blumensa895gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/orfiles/ File size: 5.8 Kb