Multnomah County OR Archives Biographies.....Payne, William Wallace 1880 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Ila L. Wakley iwakley@msn.com May 8, 2009, 12:17 pm

Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company

     WILLIAM WALLACE PAYNE.  Endowed with executive force and keen powers of 
discernment, William Wallace Payne has stimulated the pulse of trade in 
Portland and played an important part in the development of the lumber 
industry of the Pacific northwest. His birth occurred near Port Townsend, 
Washington, in 1880 and his father, William Payne, was a native of Canada. He 
was born in the province of New Brunswick in 1845 and in his youth came to the 
Pacific coast, settling in Jefferson county, Washington, where he was united 
in marriage to Miss Irma Pilcher, a native of California. When a young man 
William Payne fought in the Civil war and gallantly defended the Union cause. 
In democratic politics he was an influential factor and served for three terms 
in the Washington legislature, devoting deep thought and study to the measures 
brought before the house. A man of strong character and marked public spirit, 
he won and retained the esteem of all with whom he was associated and in 1897 
death terminated his activities. 
   
     William W. Payne was reared on his father's farm and pursued his high 
school studies in Port Townsend. His initial experience along commercial lines 
was gained with a lumber firm and throughout his business career he has 
followed the same line of activity. A conscientious, efficient worker, he came 
to Portland in 1902, has steadily advanced and has long been identified with 
the Pacific Export Lumber Company, which he represented for eleven years in 
China, promoting the trade relations of the firm in that country. In 1917 he 
was elected vice president of the Pacific Export Company, which had been 
organized in 1896 by William D. Wheelwright, who was its president for many 
years. Mr. Payne was chosen as his successor and for six years has been 
president of the company, instituting well devised plans for the growth and 
progress of the business, of which he has a detailed knowledge. The owners of 
the industry confine their operations to exporting lumber and charter their 
vessels for full cargo shipments. The corporation sends the output of its 
plant to all parts of the world and manufactures logs of special lengths for 
the trade in Japan. Fifteen persons are employed in the offices of the firm, 
which maintains its headquarters in the Porter building in Portland. This is 
one of the largest export lumber businesses in the Pacific coast and the 
prestige enjoyed by the corporation is chiefly attributable to management of 
Mr. Payne, who is also a director of the R. J. Brown Lumber Company and The 
Far East Hardwood Company.

     While in the Philippines, Mr. Payne was married, October 25, 1913, in 
Manila to Miss Shelby Martin, by whom he has five children: Margaret E., 
William Wallace Jr., Shelby P., Richard M. and Ross P. Mr. Payne is an 
adherent of the democratic party and attends the services of the Presbyterian 
church. Along social lines he is connected with the Arlington Club and as a 
member of the Chamber of Commerce he is working earnestly and systematically 
to expand the trade relations of Portland and promote the growth and 
prosperity of the city. During the World war he was active in the various 
Liberty Loan campaigns and has faithfully discharged Iife’s duties and 
obligations, thus gaining a secure place in the esteem of his fellowmen.


Additional Comments:
History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Vol. II, 
Pages 679-680

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