Multnomah County OR Archives Biographies.....Holman, Edward November 21, 1854 - December 1920 ************************************************ 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 28, 2010, 10:51 pm Source: History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Vol. III, Published 1928, Pages 525 - 526 Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company EDWARD HOLMAN. On the list of those who occupied high place in public regard in Portland is found the name of Edward Holman, deceased, who was one of Oregon's honored pioneers. Starting out in life empty-handed, he worked his way steadily upward, acquired a handsome fortune and built up one of the most successful undertaking business enterprises in the northwest. His many sterling traits of character, his laudable ambition and his progressive spirit gained him not only prominence but the respect and good will of all who knew him. His birth occurred in Brooklyn, New York, November 21, 1854, and he was about seven years of age when his parents, Robert B. and Sophia (Jervis) Holman, came to Oregon. The father was born in 1806 and the mother on the 14th of November, 1811. Her death occurred in April, 1865, while Robert B. Holman passed away in 1862. In their family were four sons and a daughter: Edward, Charles, Robert and John, all now deceased; and Sarah, who became the wife of Walter Norton. They, too, have passed away. Starting out in the business world, Edward Holman accepted any employment that would yield him an honest living. He was only a young lad of eight years at the time of his father's death and the family was left without funds. He made good use of his time and opportunities and carefully saved his earnings until he and his brother John were able to start out independently in the transfer business, establishing one of the leading concerns of Portland. Eventually success came to him, but there were years of earnest, persistent struggle in which he met hardships and difficulties and in which he learned the value of industry and perseverance. He made his start in life at a salary of fifty cents per week and board, and when he started in the transfer business, he drove a dray. He became known to everyone in this way and his kindly spirit and agreeable qualities made him loved by all. He was known as "Ted" to those with whom he came in contact and even as the years passed this name, which meant companionship and likable qualities, clung to him. As the years passed Mr. Holman utilized every opportunity for advancement. Eventually he became associated in the undertaking business with his father-in- law, Andrew P. Delin. Owing to the insistent demand for such a service Mr. Delin and Mr. Holman formed a partnership and purchased the business previously established in 1854. It was Portland's first mortuary located in a small wooden building on Second and Morrison streets, and in 1877 Mr. Holman purchased the interest of his partner and a little later removed the business to Fourth and Yamhill streets. In 1901 a further removal was made to Third and Salmon streets. Mr. Holman ever kept abreast of the times in introducing the latest improvements and methods and had already built up a very substantial business when in 1919 he admitted his son, Walter J., to a partnership. This association was continued until the death of Edward Holman in December, 1920. On the 11th of October, 1874, Edward Holman was united in marriage to Miss Mary Delin, who passed away February 24, 1880, when but twenty-three years of age, leaving two sons, Walter J. and Guy Edward, both now deceased. In the death of Edward Holman, Portland lost a most substantial, worthy and valued citizen. He was public-spirited to an eminent degree and did everything in his power for the welfare and development of the city. In 1901 he started a campaign for the first free baths in Portland and the project was brought to successful completion six years later, being opened on the 11th of July, 1907. In this movement Mr. Holman was a prime factor, putting forth every effort to interest the people. He would not give up the idea but clung to his purpose until it was accomplished, the cost being about five thousand dollars. The baths consisted of a sunken tank at the foot of East Yamhill street, there being a cage one hundred by thirty-five feet with sloping floor, the water being from shallow depth to ten feet. There were sixty private rooms with modern equipment and by an arrangement of smoke stacks surrounding the tank the water was heated. There is in existence today an old list of the contributors on which one finds the names of many of the early pioneers of the city. The project was one of great benefit to Portland and Mr. Holman deserved much credit for instituting the new plan. He was a most generous man, giving freely of his time and his money to assist others. For many years it was his habit to annually present a turkey to all of his employes and also to all married employes of the city. It is said that no one ever sought his aid in vain and from no public project was his help withheld. Back of his generosity was a most kindly and genuine interest in his fellowmen and his was an agreeable personality which brought to him the friendship of all who knew him. His memory is yet cherished and revered by those with whom he was associated and not infrequently he is spoken of in terms of the warmest and most enduring regard. 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