Columbia-Multnomah County OR Archives Biographies.....Storla, John L. August 15, 1880 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Ila Wakley iwakley@msn.com October 22, 2009, 2:47 pm

Source: History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Vol. III, Published 1928, Pages 52-53
Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company

     JOHN L. STORLA, who conducts a large and successful law practice at St. 
Helens, Oregon, is one of the capable, public-spirited and dependable citizens 
of his community, where he has won and retains a high place in public regard. 
Mr. Storla was born in Sioux Rapids, Iowa, on August 15, 1880, and is a son of 
Ole H. and Barbara (Rudlang) Storla, who were natives of Norway. His father 
came to the United States with his parents, in 1847, when about two years old, 
the family first locating in Wisconsin. In the public schools of that state he 
received his education and in 1865 he accompanied the family on their removal 
to Decorah, Iowa. From there he went to Sioux Rapids, Iowa, where he became 
prominent in public affairs, serving as register of deeds of Buena Vista 
county and also for several years as county superintendent of schools. In 1882 
he went to Aurora county, South Dakota, where he took up homestead and tree 
claims, amounting to three hundred and twenty acres, near Belford, of which 
locality he was a pioneer. He built a frame house, covered with sod, and 
engaged in raising cattle, wheat and corn. He represented Aurora county in the 
state legislature and was serving as county auditor at the time of his death, 
which occurred in 1897. His widow still resides on the old homestead and is 
eighty-five years old. Their family numbered eight children.

     John L. Storla was educated in the public schools of Aurora county, South 
Dakota, and graduated from Ellsworth College, at Iowa Falls, Iowa, in 1899, 
working his way through college. He then took the commercial and stenographic 
courses in Cedar Rapids Business College, after which he went to Estherville, 
Iowa, where he was employed as a stenographer in a law office. Returning to 
Cedar Rapids, he obtained a position as stenographer in the general passenger 
office of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, being later advanced to 
the position of chief clerk, and remained in that office until 1904. His next 
position was in the navy department at Washington, D. C., and while employed 
there he took up the study of law at Georgetown University. In October, 1905, 
Mr. Storla went to Ancon, Panama Canal zone, where he was employed in clerical 
work for the government for four years, after which, in 1910, he was appointed 
collector of customs at Cristobal, Canal zone. He discharged the duties of 
that position until February, 1913, when he resigned and, coming to Portland, 
Oregon, became chief clerk for Carey & Kerr, a prominent law firm of that 
city. During this period he resumed the study of law and in 1918 was admitted 
to the bar. In the following year he came to St. Helens and engaged in the 
practice of his profession, to which he has closely devoted his attention to 
the present time. He served for six years as secretary of the St. Helens 
Chamber of Commerce, and was for a time secretary of the Columbia County Farm 
Bureau, which has ceased to exist. He also served six years as a justice of 
the peace.

     In 1904 Mr. Storla was united in marriage to Miss Zona Brink, who was 
born in Arizona and is a daughter of Marshall B. and Mary A. (Hawkins) Brink, 
both of whom are deceased. Mrs. Storla graduated from high school in Iowa and 
attended the Iowa State Agricultural College, at Ames, two years. Mr. and Mrs. 
Storla have three children, namely: Louise, who was born in the Panama Canal 
zone, graduated from the St. Helens high school and is now a junior in the 
University of Oregon, where she is majoring in music; Ruth, born in Portland, 
Oregon, is attending grammar school; and Robert E. was also born in Portland. 
In his political views Mr. Storla is a stanch democrat and has taken a keen 
and active interest in public affairs. He is a member of Avon Lodge, No. 62, 
K. P., at St. Helens, the Kiwanis Club and the Chamber of Commerce. He is a 
man of forceful character, trustworthy both as trial lawyer and office 
counselor, and well merits the respect and confidence which are accorded him 
by his fellowmen.

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