Columbia County OR Archives Biographies.....Fluhrer, Louis April 2, 1874 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Ila Wakley iwakley@msn.com October 27, 2009, 12:36 pm

Source: History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Vol. III, Published 1928, Pages 147-148
Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company

     LOUIS FLUHRER, one of Columbia county's best known and most highly 
respected citizens, owns a prosperous mercantile business, is postmaster at 
Mayger, and is also one of the owners of Fluhrer Brothers' shingle mill, which 
bears the distinction of being the oldest shingle mill in the northwest in 
point of years of continuous operation. Mr. Fluhrer was born in Montcalm 
county, Michigan, on the 2d of April, 1874, and is a son of William and Minnie 
(Guetchow) Fluhrer, the former born in Alsace-Lorraine and the latter in 
Hanover, Germany. The father, who was a millwright by trade, came to the 
United States in the '50s and located in Michigan, where he followed his 
trade. In 1889 he came to Oregon and located in Nehalem valley, Columbia 
county, where he secured a homestead, on which he proved up, and in 1891 sold 
out there and moved to Mayger. He here built and operated a sawmill for 
several years, and shortly afterward also built a shinglemill, which he ran in 
partnership with his sons until his death, which occurred about 1918. His wife 
passed away in 1908. Of their six children, three are living, F. W., Louis and 
E. M. Mr. Fluhrer was a veteran of the Civil war, having served four years 
with the Michigan engineers and was with General Sheridan on the historic 
march from Atlanta to the sea. He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows and Shepardstown Post, G. A. R., at Clatskanie, Oregon.

     Louis Fluhrer received a somewhat limited education in the public schools 
of Michigan and Columbia county, Oregon. He accompanied his parents to this 
state in 1889 and has since been actively engaged in business. His first 
occupation as a boy was when, in Michigan, he learned the art of telegraphy 
with the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad. In Oregon he became associated with 
his father and two brothers in the shinglemill business at Mayger, and has 
been identified with that business continuously since, a period of thirty-
seven years. The business is incorporated under the name of Fluhrer Brothers, 
with a capital stock of forty-nine thousand dollars, all of which is owned by 
the brothers. They operate three machines, employ sixteen men and have a daily 
production of one hundred thousand shingles. In 1906 Mr. Fluhrer bought a 
general merchandise store at Mayger, and at that time was also appointed 
postmaster, in which position he has served continuously to the present. He 
carries a full line of goods, including hardware, drugs and accessories, his 
stock invoicing at about eighteen thousand dollars, and has a gas and oil 
service station. Through his courtesy, accommodation and fair dealing, he has 
built up a large trade and is enjoying well merited success. He is also vice 
president of the Clatskanie State Bank.

     In 1905 Mr. Fluhrer was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Atchison, 
who was born in Jefferson county, Illinois, and is a daughter of G. W. and 
Minerva (Pressler) Atchison, both of whom are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Fluhrer 
are the parents of a son, Donald P., who was born at Rainier, Oregon, August 
15, 1910, graduated from the Clatskanie high school in 1927, and is now 
assisting his father in the store. Mr. Fluhrer is a member of Clatskanie 
Lodge, No. 133, A. F. & A. M., and Al Kader Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., at 
Portland, and the Knights of the Maccabees. Mrs. Fluhrer belongs to the Order 
of the Eastern Star. Mr. Fluhrer has shown a deep interest in everything 
relating to the welfare and prosperity of his community and served two years 
as a member of the board of county commissioners. A few years ago he erected a 
fine, modern home on the heights above Mayger and commanding a beautiful view 
of the Columbia river and the Washington shore. He has exercised sound 
judgment in all of his affairs, has been tireless in his devotion to business, 
and the success which has crowned his efforts is the outcome of his persistent 
industry and ability. He commands to a marked degree the respect and good will 
of all who know him and is regarded as one of the substantial and dependable 
men of his community.

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