Multnomah County OR Archives Biographies.....Finley, John P. December 30, 1844 - April 3, 1925
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Ila L. Wakley iwakley@msn.com May 27, 2009, 1:09 pm

Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company

     JOHN P. FINLEY.  The success that comes when intelligence recognizes, 
grasps and utilizes opportunity crowned the life labors of John P. Finley. A 
pioneer of the west, the years marked his steady progress and advancement and 
his labors were a contributing factor to the upbuilding and development of the 
sections in which he lived. His worth as a business man and citizen was widely 
acknowledged and those who knew him entertained for him the highest regard 
because of the sterling worth of his character and his spirit of undaunted 
enterprise and of devotion to the public good.

     Mr. Finley passed away April 3, 1925, after a residence of seventy-three 
years on the Pacific coast. He was but seven years of age when the family 
crossed the plains. His birth occurred in Saline county, Missouri, near 
Jonesboro, December 30, 1844. The family is of Scotch-Irish lineage and was 
established in America by his grandfather, Asa William Finley, who was born in 
the north of Ireland and in early life accompanied his father to the new 
world, the family home being established in Virginia, while later a removal 
was made to Missouri. In the latter state Asa William Finley became owner of a 
large tract of land and devoted his remaining days to general farming and 
stock raising, his death there occurring in 1860. He held membership in the 
Presbyterian church and was a man of many admirable qualities. While a 
resident of Virginia he had married and his son, James W. Finley, became the 
father of John P. Finley of this review.

     In 1852, attracted by the opportunities of the Pacific coast country, a 
party was formed to cross the plains, consisting of five families who were 
close friends and were from the same section of Missouri -— the Finley, 
Rucker, Lovell and two Campbell families. They made the long and hazardous 
trip across the broad prairies and over the mountains, driving their oxen, 
which hauled the heavily laden wagons that carried their earthly possessions. 
Six months had passed ere they reached their destination. The entire party 
numbered forty-four and all settled in the Santa Clara valley of California, 
where they prospered and became leading citizens. In the family of James W. 
Finley, in addition to the parents, there were seven children, one of whom is 
still living at Campbell, California. Their original California home was on a 
farm two and one-half miles south of Santa Clara, where the father engaged in 
tilling the soil and raising stock until his death, which occurred in 1865. 
His wife, who bore the maiden name of Margaret Campbell, was a native of 
Kentucky and a daughter of William Campbell, whose birth occurred in Virginia 
and who became a resident of Kentucky, whence he went to Missouri. A brother 
of William Campbell had settled in Oregon in 1846 and in the same year William 
Campbell went to California, as did Wallace Finley, both establishing homes 
near Santa Clara, where the former died at the notable age of ninety-six 
years. Benjamin Campbell had crossed the plains prior to 1852 and knew the 
trails that led to the "golden west." He was accordingly chosen captain of the 
train when the party of forty-four started for the Pacific coast. He was a 
prominent man of the early times, widely known and loved, and his memory is 
cherished by thousands of the early pioneers. On the 1st of October, 1852, the 
train reached San Jose. No disasters had occurred during the long and arduous 
trip, but the day after they reached their destination the mother of J. P. 
Finley passed away of mountain fever, leaving a family of seven children, the 
youngest a baby. Of this family the eldest, Rev. William A Finley, became a 
minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, and was the first president 
of the Oregon Agricultural College at Corvallis, while later he accepted the 
presidency of the college of Santa Rosa, California. Newton G. became a 
resident of Berkeley, California. Sarah E. married the Rev. Joseph Emery, who 
was at one time an instructor in the college at Corvallis and was later 
connected with the Methodist church in southern California. John P., of this 
review, was the next in order of birth. Hugh McNary Finley was graduated from 
the Oregon Agricultural College and became a farmer of Benton county, this 
state. Anna E. became the wife of Dr. T. V. B. Embree, of Dallas, Oregon. 
James B. was a railroad man of Wadsworth, Nevada. After the death of his first 
wife the father married Rebecca Ivy and there were five children of that 
marriage. His death occurred in May, 1865.

     John P. Finley early became familiar with the experiences of frontier 
life. His educational opportunities were limited, but he made good use of 
every chance to improve his knowledge and as opportunity offered attended the 
public schools and later the Pacific Methodist College. When sixteen years of 
age he entered upon an apprenticeship at the carpenter's trade in San Jose, 
California, and he likewise pursued a course of study in mechanical drawing. 
He utilized every opportunity to promote his knowledge and advance his 
efficiency in his chosen field of labor and after spending a short time as a 
journeyman began business on his own account. With the passing years he came 
to be recognized as one of the leading contractors and builders of central 
California, where between 1870 and 1874 he erected many substantial public 
buildings and some of the finest residences of that period. About 1870 he 
turned his attention to the furniture and undertaking business in Santa Clara, 
in partnership with C. C. Morse, afterward one of the leading seedsmen of the 
country. In 1874 he became a partner of J. P. Pierce in the lumber business 
and in the manufacture of sash, doors, tanks and windows. This business was 
carried on in Santa Clara under the name of the Enterprise Mill & Lumber 
Company, of which Mr. Finley became superintendent and general manager, and 
under his wise direction the business developed into one of the most extensive 
of the kind in the state. They subsequently merged their interests with the 
Pacific Manufacturing Company and extended the scope of their activities to 
include the manufacture of caskets and general undertaking goods. Their 
business grew steadily and at the suggestion of Mr. Finley a branch house was 
opened in San Francisco in 1880. In that year Mr. Finley went upon the road as 
a salesman, covering the territory north to Seattle, and so continued until 
1887. It was about the time that he went upon the road that the California 
Casket Company was formed, W. P. Morgan acquiring a half interest in the 
business, while the other half of the stock was purchased by members of the 
Pacific Manufacturing Company. It was after the new enterprise had been firmly 
established that Mr. Finley went upon the road and in 1881 made his first trip 
for the firm into Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, Nevada and Utah. This 
constituted the initial step in the development of a business which grew 
rapidly and in 1886 it was felt that the trade of the northwest could best be 
promoted by the establishment of a branch in Portland. Accordingly Mr. Finley 
came to this city and took over the management of the business, selling 
caskets to the trade under the name of the Oregon Casket Company. The business 
was incorporated under that style and warerooms were established on Fourth 
street, between Flanders and Gleason streets. In the course of time Mr. Finley 
developed a business of extensive and gratifying proportions but in 1892 
withdrew from the wholesale trade to engage in the undertaking business with 
Andrew P. DeLin. This association was maintained for a time, after which Mr. 
Finley purchased his partner's interest and the business was subsequently 
reorganized under the firm style of J. P. Finley & Son, the enterprise being 
carried on by Mr. Finley until his demise. The business is still owned by 
members of the Finley family and is continued under the management of his son-
in-law, F. A. Kenny. Throughout his entire life Mr. Finley was actuated by a 
progressive spirit that never stopped short of the successful accomplishment 
of his purposes. His enterprises was unfaltering and he achieved success by 
reason of his indefatigable industry, his sound judgment and progressive 
methods.

     In 1869 Mr. Finley was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Catherine Rucker, 
a daughter of William T. and Verenda (Taylor) Rucker, with whom she had 
crossed the plains in the same train as the Finley family, the parents 
settling in the Santa Clara valley of California, where her father followed 
farming. Mr. and Mrs. Finley became the parents of three children: Anna, now 
the wife of F. A. Kenny, of Portland; Arthur L., who is financially interested 
in the business and who married Ina Craig, of Portland, by whom he has two 
sons, John Thomas and Arthur Craig; and William L. Finley, who is a world 
renowned naturalist and with his wife is the author of many books of that 
character. He has gone into many sections of the world to study birds and 
animals and his photographic reproductions, both still and motion pictures, of 
animal life have attracted the attention and awakened the interest of 
thousands throughout the country. He is today one of the most prominent 
lecturers in this field and his entertaining and pleasing manner of presenting 
knowledge has awakened the interest not only of the scientists but of the 
laity throughout the country. He married Irene Barnhart, of California, and 
they have a daughter and a son, Phoebe Katherine and William L., Jr.

     John P. Finley was a prominent member of the Benevolent and Protective 
Order of Elks No. 142, of Portland, and was a life member of both that 
organization and of the Odd Fellows for more than fifty years. He took a very 
prominent part in the erection of the old Elks building at Broadway and Stark 
streets in Portland and was a member of the building committee of the present 
Elks Temple. He exemplified in his life the highest principles of the 
fraternities with which he was identified. He also belonged to the Knights of 
Pythias, the Woodmen of the World and other fraternal societies. He belonged 
to the Chamber of Commerce and to the Portland Board of Trade and in politics 
he was a stalwart republican, giving loyal support to the party because of his 
firm belief in its principles. He was elected to the office of coroner in 1902 
by a majority of five thousand votes, yet he was in no sense a politician. The 
sterling worth of his character was widely recognized. He was entirely free 
from ostentation and display, but those who came in contact with him 
recognized in him many admirable characteristics, which included fidelity to 
duty, loyalty to friendship and devotion to the highest standards of manhood 
and citizenship. The story of western progress as exemplified in the 
upbuilding of the Pacific coast states found expression in his own career, and 
the news of his demise was received with sincere sorrow on the part of all 
with whom he had come in contact.

     He is survived by Mrs. Finley, who was born in Saline county, Missouri, 
October 28, 1848, and is therefore now eighty years of age. She still makes 
her home in Portland at 1080 East Burnside street. She bears her age lightly 
and her memory is still keen and vivid. She relates in most interesting manner 
events of the early days which to most people are now matters of history 
instead of experience, and, moreover, she keeps in touch with the trend of 
passing events. Kindly, hospitable and friendly, she has firm hold on the 
affection of hundreds of Portland's citizens, among whom she has lived for 
more than four decades.

Additional Comments:
History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Vol. II, 
Pages 773-775

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