Multnomah County OR Archives Biographies.....Gratton, Isaac March 30, 1850 - ************************************************ 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 August 31, 2010, 2:47 pm Source: History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Vol. III, Published 1928, Pages 574 - 575 Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company ISAAC GRATTON. The story of successful achievement in the face of obstacles and difficulties is one which always awakens the intense interest of the reader who thrills to the tale of victory and who is ofttimes inspired by the successes of the man who has come off conqueror in the strife with disadvantages and lack of opportunities in youth. Such is the record of Isaac Gratton, who at the age of twelve years left home and, unable to speak a word of English, came to the United States here to carve out a creditable name and place for himself. He was born in Montreal, Canada, March 30, 1850, and his parents were natives of that country. His opportunities in youth were extremely limited. The family spoke French and he had no opportunity to attend school, so that he was practically without education save that which he acquired in the hard school of experience. He was large for his age and when a lad of twelve summers left home, making his way to Denver, Colorado, where through the succeeding five years he worked in the mines. From there he went to Tennessee, where he secured employment on a plantation. The first night spent in that state, as he had no money, he slept on the porch of the Peabody Hotel in Memphis. For a year he worked on a plantation, but the food was so poor that he left unceremoniously and therefore received no pay for his year's labor. Starting with nothing, he quit with nothing, but he was not discouraged and made his way to Florida, where he worked on a farm. While thus employed he saved a little money and returned to Denver, where he remained until he came to Portland, then largely a frontier city, this being the year before the first bridge was built across the Willamette river. Soon after his arrival he interested himself in business with the late W. S. Ladd, a partnership that continued for a number of years. Mr. Ladd was one of the foremost of the pioneer business men of Portland and they prospered as the years passed. Withdrawing in time from that connection, Mr. Gratton became the owner of a large livery stable that occupied the ground where the Kirby building now stands, and while thus engaged in business he built a large residence and barn at 946 Milwaukie street, where his widow still makes her home. Mr. Gratton ever promptly utilized his opportunities for advancement and for business expansion and in February, 1896, organized the Standard Box & Lumber Company, of which he became the president and for years remained the active head of the business. He made this a notably successful enterprise, developing a large plant and enjoying an extensive patronage. Fire at times threatened disaster to the undertaking, but with characteristic courage and determination new mills were built and the business continued to grow and prosper. Mr. Gratton possessed sound judgment, keen enterprise and unfaltering determination and he remained the active head of the Standard Box & Lumber Company until his death. Years ago he bought three blocks of undeveloped property on the river front at Milwaukie, which he improved, and the property became of great value. The site is now occupied by a large hotel, the waiting room of the Southern Pacific Railroad, a store block and a modern garage and has proved an excellent income paying property. Mr. Gratton was married twice. He first wedded Mrs. Mary Weber and they became the parents of a daughter, Mrs. Bennetta Reichter. About eighteen years ago he married Mrs. Arilla Welliver Wortman, who survives him, and they reared an adopted son, Paul J., now of Portland. Mrs. Gratton is a lady of liberal culture, widely known and occupying an enviable place in social circles. Mr. Gratton, accompanied by his wife and two friends, started on a motor trip for the Yellowstone and it is thought that he suffered blindness on a turn, which resulted in an automobile accident in which he lost his life. He was a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and in politics was a republican but never sought or desired office. His interest in the community welfare, however, was manifest in his public-spirited support of all measures for the general good. He was a picturesque character, known all up and down the coast. He had thousands of friends and all who knew him prized his acquaintance and cherish his memory. The news of his demise was a great shock to the entire community and the most sincere regret was felt at his passing. From an early period he had been closely identified with Portland's business development and had played an important part in the upbuilding of the city. He was social and genial and these qualities had gained for him warm friendships. All who knew him entertained for him the most kindly feeling and at his passing Portland mourned the loss of one of her representative citizens and honored early pioneers. 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