Multnomah County OR Archives Biographies.....Berger, Ben 1884 - ************************************************ 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 L. Wakley iwakley@msn.com May 19, 2009, 12:33 pm Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company BEN BERGER. With the exception of one concern in San Francisco, the firm of Berger Brothers, of Portland, is the oldest painting and decorating establishment on the coast, and the present owner of the business, Ben Berger, has been actively identified with the firm for more than a quarter of a century. Through his sound business judgment, his enterprising methods and the superior quality of his work, he has built up a large business and has long commanded the patronage of the representative people of the city. This concern was established in 1879 by Henry Berger, father of the present owner, under the firm name of Berger & Bock. Mr. Berger bought his partner's interest in the business shortly afterwards and carried it on under his own name until 1909, when it was incorporated as Berger Brothers, his sons, Henry, Jr., and Ben becoming members of the firm. The business was first located on Alder street, between Front and First streets. Later Mr. Berger moved to Ash street, between Second and Third streets, where he remained nine years, after which he moved to 44 First street, where he was located during the great flood of 1894, during which there was five feet of water in his store. From there he went to First street, between Alder and Washington streets, where he remained about fifteen years, afterwards the business was located in the Journal building for three years. For the past thirteen years the business has been located in the Pittock building, at 108 Tenth street. Henry Berger was born in Detmold, Germany, in 1852, and came to the United States in 1867, landing at New York. Two years later be went west to Wisconsin and in 1872 to San Francisco, California, the trip from Omaha to San Francisco by rail requiring nine days. Mr. Berger remained in San Francisco until 1877, when he came to Portland and established the present business. In 1876, in San Francisco, he was married to Miss Louisa Jost, who was born in Mannheim, Germany, and is deceased. To their union were born three children, namely: Henry, Jr., a leading photographer of Portland; Eddie F., who died in childhood; and Ben, who was born in Portland in 1884. After the retirement of their father, in 1913, Henry and Ben Berger conducted the business together until 1920, when Ben bought his brother's interest and has since been the sole owner. He deals in wallpaper and does decorative and interior painting, in which lines he has a wide reputation for the artistic and satisfying quality of his work. He has done the decorative work in all of the leading hotels of Portland and specializes in the interior decorating of fine residences. In the latter line he has done work in many of the finest homes in Portland and vicinity. Some of his present customers have patronized the store continuously for forty years and he has an enviable reputation for absolute dependability in his line. Mr. Berger employs a large crew of skilled workmen. He has eleven men who have been with the firm from five to fifteen years, three who have been with the company for over twenty-five years and one who has been with them for thirty-four years. On December 26, 1907, in Portland, Mr. Berger was united in marriage to Miss Inga Hanson, whose father, John R. Hanson, was for twenty years the first assistant engineer of the city of Portland. Mr. and Mrs. Berger have two children, Elizabeth and Barbara. Mr. Berger is a stanch republican in his political views and fraternally is a member of Portland Lodge, No. 55, A. F. & A. M.; Portland Consistory, A. A. S. R., and Al Kader Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He has long been a member the Chamber of Commerce and has shown a great interest in everything pertaining to the development and prosperity of his home city. An able business man, a citizen of high ideals and a constant friend and neighbor, he has well merited the high place which he holds in public confidence. Additional Comments: History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Vol. II, Pages 747-748 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/or/multnomah/bios/berger690gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/orfiles/ File size: 4.6 Kb