Multnomah County OR Archives Biographies.....Oakleaf, Howard B. 1887 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Ila L. Wakley iwakley@msn.com May 12, 2007, 7:48 pm

Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company

     HOWARD B. OAKLEAF.  For many years one of the most vexatious problems 
confronting the lumberman was the drying and seasoning of his products, which, 
it is readily apparent, should be done at the mill as a matter of economy. To 
Howard B. Oakleaf is very largely due the solution of this problem, for under 
the pressure of necessity, experiments were conducted along advanced 
scientific lines, with the result that the lumberman of today is provided with 
equipment which does the work more quickly and more satisfactorily than was 
possible under former methods. Mr. Oakleaf was born in Olean, New York, in 
1887, and is a son of Frank H. and Jennie (Bickford) Oakleaf, the former now 
deceased and the latter still living in New York.
     Mr. Oakleaf acquired a good public school education and then entered the 
Biltmore Forest School, at Asheville, North Carolina, from which he was 
graduated in 1907. He then entered the government forest service and in 1908 
came to Portland, having been appointed assistant and in 1912 head of the 
department of lumber research. He discharged the duties of that position until 
1917, when, the United States having become involved in the World war, he 
enlisted in the air service and was placed in charge of the acceptance of all 
lumber bought for aircraft purposes, with the rank of major in charge of 
inspection, — a very exacting and responsible post. Under the emergency 
conditions then existing, it became absolutely necessary to devise methods 
which would expedite the proper drying of the lumber to be used in airplane 
construction, and the net result of his work and that of his associates was 
the evolution of a kiln which in every way met the requirements of the 
situation. After the close of the war Mr. Oakleaf completed the writing of a 
book entitled, “Lumber Manufacture in the Douglas Fir Region,” which he had 
previously started and which has had wide circulation, being a comprehensive 
treatment of the subject. He then turned his attention to the 
commercialization of the knowledge gained during the war and with M. L. 
Mueller of Seattle organized the Northwest Blower Kiln Company, of which he is 
secretary, treasurer and manager, and which has been developed into one of the 
most important concerns in its line in the country. More detailed reference is 
made to this enterprise on other pages of this work. Mr. Oakleaf is 
indefatigably promoting the interests of the business and has been a very 
important factor in the splendid success which it is enjoying.
     On December 21, 1912, Mr. Oakleaf was united in marriage to Miss Ruth E. 
Deming, of Aberdeen, Washington, and they are the parents of a son, Richard. 
Mr. Oakleaf is a member of the American Legion and the Oswego Country Club, 
and in his political views is independent, voting according to his best 
judgment as to men and measures. His initiative and enterprise have been 
fruitful in their results and he well deserves the prosperity which has come 
to him.


Additional Comments:
History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Page 276

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