Multnomah County OR Archives Biographies.....Cameron, James Edwin 1864 - May 25, 1927 ************************************************ 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 March 8, 2011, 6:48 pm Source: History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Vol. III, Published 1928, Pages 802 - 805 Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company JAMES EDWIN CAMERON, whose death on May 25, 1927, was deeply regretted by all who knew him, was one of the outstanding figures in the lumber business of the northwest for many years and not only ranked as an able and successful business man but also possessed to a marked degree those qualities which attract one's fellows and make for lasting friendships. Mr. Cameron was born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, in 1864, and was a son of George W. and Katherine (Campbell) Cameron. He acquired his education in the public schools of his native city and then became associated with his father in the lumber business at Oshkosh. In 1900 he became connected with the Girard Lumber Company of Menominee, Michigan, and while with that corporation made great advance in business, developing his powers and contributing in large measure to the success of the enterprise which he represented. He later engaged in the lumber brokerage business on his own account and prosperity attended his efforts in that direction. The year 1903 witnessed his arrival in Portland, which offered an excellent field to the lumberman on account of the large forests of this section of the country. In association with his brother Mr. Cameron purchased the mill of the Nicolai-Neppach Company at Menominee, Oregon, which town Mr. Cameron named in honor of his former place of residence — Menominee, Michigan. After operating the plant there successfully for a period of six years he sold to the Wind River Lumber Company of Cascade Locks, Oregon, and engaged in the lumber brokerage business in Portland, with offices in the Couch building. During this period Mr. Cameron purchased a small mill at Goldendale, Washington, and also acquired timber lands, managing both the mill and its timber interests from his Portland office for a number of years. Subsequently he erected a modern mill at Goldendale, which he operated for a time but eventually sold to Dailey Brothers. He also had a planing mill and sawmill at Bullrun, Oregon, conducted under the name of the Cameron-Hogg Lumber Company. Operations at this plant were brought to a close at the time of Mr. Cameron's death, for the timber had been cut off, at which time Mr. Cameron had taken over the loading docks, while Mr. Hogg took the logged-off land as his share of the business. Mr. Cameron was a man of marked energy, firm purpose and sound judgment. He applied himself closely to his various business interests and was rewarded with a gratifying measure of prosperity. In early manhood Mr. Cameron married Miss Frances Wells, of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and they became parents of two children, Grace and George W., the mother dying in Oshkosh. The son now resides in Goldendale, Washington, and the daughter, now Mrs. Phelps, makes her home in Portsmouth, Ohio. For his second wife Mr. Cameron chose Miss Alice Ludwig, who passed away at Menominee, Michigan, leaving a son, Earl L., who is engaged in the real estate business in Portland. Later Mr. Cameron married Miss Nettie Theurer, who proved a most kindly mother to the above mentioned children as well as to the son and the daughter born of her marriage: J. M., who formerly operated the lumber mill at Bullrun and now resides in Portland; and Mrs. Arline Loder, also of this city. In his political views Mr. Cameron was a stanch republican and took a deep interest in everything affecting the general welfare. He was a member of the Chamber of Commerce and heartily supported its projects for the public good. Something of the nature of his recreation is indicated in the fact that he belonged to the Portland Golf Club. Those who met him in any relation of life entertained for him high regard because of the sterling traits of his character and the wise use which he made of his time, talents and opportunities. He carried out well defined purposes and gained the merited reward of earnest and intelligently directed effort; he faithfully discharged his duties of citizenship and he measured up to the highest standards of honorable manhood. J. M. Cameron, son of James Edwin Cameron, supplemented his public school education by study in the Oregon Agricultural College and throughout his entire life has been identified with the lumber business. For ten years he was in charge of the milling interests of his father at Bullrun and in July, 1927, organized the J. M. Cameron Lumber Company, of which he is president. In addition he successfully carries on a lumber brokerage business. The thorough training which he received under his father's direction has found expression in efficient effort and a thorough mastery of all the problems connected with the lumber trade, so that he now occupies a prominent position among the lumbermen of the northwest. J. M. Cameron was married to Miss Lois L. White, of Portland, and they are the parents of a son, Jim Bill, now a public school pupil. Mr. Cameron is a veteran of the World war, having enlisted in 1918, his period of service continuing until the cessation of hostilities, when he was honorably discharged. He is a member of the Multnomah Athletic Club and is well known socially in the city where much of his life has been passed and where his circle of friends is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintance. Photo: http://www.usgwarchives.net/or/multnomah/photos/bios/cameron1537gbs.jpg Photo Size: 99 Kb File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/or/multnomah/bios/cameron1537gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/orfiles/ File size: 6.1 Kb