Multnomah County OR Archives Biographies.....McPherson, William George August 5, 1861 - February 17, 1921
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Ila L. Wakley iwakley@msn.com May 31, 2010, 11:54 am

Source: History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Vol. III, Published 1928, Pages 346 - 347
Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company

     WILLIAM GEORGE McPHERSON.  Inheriting from his Caledonian ancestors the 
qualities of energy, thrift and perseverance, William George McPherson pressed 
steadily onward, never losing sight of his objective, and won and retained a 
place of leadership in business circles of Portland, while his public spirit 
was manifest by word and deed. A native of Canada, he was born August 5, 1861, 
in Woodstock, Ontario, and was a son of John and Margery (Brown) McPherson, 
both of Scotch descent. During his childhood the family crossed the border 
into the United States, settling in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and later went to 
Schuyler, Nebraska.

     William G. McPherson obtained a public school education and his 
commercial training was received under his father, who was the proprietor of a 
hardware store and tin shop. The son readily assimilated the details of the 
business and afterward became a traveling salesman for the Richardson-Boynton 
Furnace Company of Chicago, a firm of national repute. In 1892 he was 
transferred to the Portland branch of the company, of which a Mr. Chase had 
charge, and worked under him for some time. In 1895 Mr. McPherson took over 
the business, which he infused with new life, conducting it alone for several 
years, and then admitted two of his sons to a partnership. The style of the W. 
G. McPherson Company was adopted and the firm installed the heating and 
ventilating systems in many buildings in Portland, establishing an enviable 
reputation for reliability and efficiency. Mr. McPherson was an expert heating 
and ventilating engineer and instituted well devised plans for the expansion 
of the business, remaining at its head until his death on the 17th of 
February, 1921, at the age of sixty years.

     On October 26, 1882, Mr. McPherson had married Miss Marie Blakefield, of 
Sheboygan, Wisconsin, and they became the parents of three sons. Charles J., 
the eldest, served as secretary of the W. G. McPherson Company and is now at 
the head of a Portland firm which features Oil-O-Matic oil burners. He married 
Miss Frances Bingham, by whom he has three children: Maxwell B., Donald George 
and William. Robert, the second in order of birth, became treasurer of the W. 
G. McPherson Company and has passed away. He is survived by a widow, Mrs. Eva 
(Jenkins) McPherson, and one child, Dorothy Ann. Fred J., the youngest son, 
was manager of the steam department of his father's business and now makes his 
home in Medford, Oregon. He married Miss Iola Nichols and they are the parents 
of a son, Fred J., Jr.

     	William G. McPherson supported the democratic party and served on 
Mayor Lane's executive board from 1905 to 1909. He was ever ready to aid the 
city to the extent of his ability and several years ago became interested in 
an Alaskan line of ships. It was his contention that Portland should have its 
share of the vast shipments to that country but he was unable to arouse public 
interest in the project, which he was forced to abandon. He was at heart a 
real Oregonian, finding no region in his extensive travels which he considered 
as attractive and desirable. He was a member of the Portland Chamber of 
Commerce, St. Andrew's Society, the MacCleay Clan and the Arlington Club. 
Along fraternal lines he was connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of 
Elks, the Knights of Pythias and the Masons.  In the last named order he held 
the thirty-second degree and was affiliated with Portland Consistory, No. 1, 
A. & A. S. R., and Al Kader Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He was devoted to his 
family and friends and his life record constituted a fine example of manliness 
and industry. Mrs. McPherson resides at No. 412 North Thirty-second street and 
is esteemed for her many good qualities.

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