Multnomah-Jackson County OR Archives Biographies.....Klippel, Edgar A. 1864 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Ila L. Wakley iwakley@msn.com May 19, 2007, 4:57 pm

Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company

     EDGAR A. KLIPPEL.  For over thirty years Edgar A. Klippel, of Portland, 
has served as superintendent of telegraph for the Oregon-Washington Railroad 
and Navigation Company, and has shown marked judgment and ability in his 
supervision of this very important department of railroad operation. Born in 
Chicago, Illinois, in 1864, he is a son of Adam and Elizabeth (Snider) 
Klippel, the former being at that time in the railway mail service between 
Chicago and St. Louis. He became a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church 
and was pastor of a church in Springfield, Illinois, while Abraham Lincoln was 
practicing law there. They became warm personal friends and Rev. Klippel did 
much effective campaign work for Mr. Lincoln when he was running for congress. 
Later Rev. Klippel went to Oregon, Missouri, where for eight years he served 
as editor of the Holt County Sentinel. In 1879 he moved his family to Jackson 
county, Oregon, where he gave his attention to mining for a couple of years, 
and in 1881 came to Portland, where he became business manager of the Pacific 
Christian Advocate, holding that position until he retired from active 
pursuits. His death occurred in this city in 1902. He was survived a number of 
years by his widow, who died in 1912.
     Edgar A. Klippel attended the public schools in Missouri and then learned 
the printing trade, which he followed for a short time, leaving that to learn 
the art of telegraphy. In 1881 he went to work for the Western Union Telegraph 
Company, with which he remained until 1883, when he entered the employ of the 
Oregon Railway and Navigation Company as a telegraph operator. His first work 
was on railroad construction and his first telegraph office was in a tent. 
Later he was put to work in the general telegraph office in Portland, but was 
later transferred to Wallula as manager of the telegraph office. In 1888 he 
was made manager of the headquarters telegraph office at Portland, holding 
that position until 1897, when he was promoted to his present position as 
superintendent of telegraph for the entire Oregon-Washington Railroad and 
Navigation unit of the Union Pacific system.
     Mr. Klippel was married in 1892, to Miss Diana Scrafford, who died, 
leaving one child, Edgar A., Jr., who is general agent for the Union Pacific 
at the Broadway and Washington street office in Portland. On February 11, 
1905, Mr. Klippel was married to Miss Ethel Bailey, of Portland, a daughter of 
Ernest Bailey, who is a native of England, and is employed as a steamfitter in 
Portland.  Mr. Klippel is a stanch republican in his political faith, though 
inclined to be independent in his voting. He is a member of the Benevolent 
Protective Order of Elks. Because of his successful record, his sterling 
qualities of character and his public-spirited interest in the welfare of his 
community, he commands the confidence and respect of all who know him.


Additional Comments:
History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Pages 283-284

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