Multnomah County OR Archives Biographies.....Shaver, Captain George M. March 26, 1865 - 
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Ila Wakley iwakley@msn.com February 14, 2011, 1:08 am

Source: History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Vol. III, Published 1928, Pages 904 - 909
Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company

     CAPTAIN GEORGE M. SHAVER.  In the shipping and transportation circles of 
the Columbia River valley no name is better known than that of Shaver, for 
members of the family have long been actively identified with this branch of 
public service. The Shaver Transportation Company, of which Captain George M. 
Shaver is treasurer and manager, has owned and operated many of the largest 
and best boats on the river and has contributed immeasurably to the 
development of this section of the country during the past four decades. The 
company was founded in the early '80s by George W. Shaver, Captain James 
Shaver and Charles Bureau, the last named later selling his interest to the 
Shavers. Their first boat was the "Manzanillo," a stern-wheel steamer of about 
one hundred tons, which plied between Portland and Clatskanie. In 1889 they 
built the "George W. Shaver," a stern-wheeler of about three hundred and fifty 
tons net, which they operated on the lower Columbia. Later it was sold to The 
Dalles Navigation Company and renamed the "Glenola," and still later became 
the property of the Clatskanie Transportation Company, by whom it was named 
the "Beaver," and is now owned by the Harkness Transportation Company and 
rendering good service. The Shavers purchased the "No Wonder," a stern-wheeler 
of two hundred and thirty-five tons net, which they still operate. In 1891 
they built "The Sarah Dixon," stern¬wheeler, three hundred and thirty-four 
tons net. The Shaver Transportation Company was incorporated in 1893 and from 
that time on has expanded its operations. The "Sarah Dixon" blew up in 1912, 
after which it was rebuilt, but was burned in 1925, after which it was again 
rebuilt. In 1902 the company built the "Henderson," a stern-wheeler, three 
hundred and seventy-two tons net, which was wrecked in 1912 in a collision 
with the tug "Sampson." It was rebuilt and is still in use. In 1908 they 
bought "The Cascades," three hundred and fifty-nine tons net, which had been 
built by the United States government in 1886 and was used in the building of 
the Cascade locks. The Shavers still operate it. In 1908 they built "The 
Shaver," stern-wheeler, three hundred and five tons net, which in 1926 was 
converted into a twin-screw, Diesel-Tunnel type boat, with two engines, each 
of four hundred horse power. The steamer "Wanna," of one hundred and forty-
nine tons, built in 1906, was sold to the Diamond O. Navigation Company, 
November 23, 1922. In 1910 they built the "Echo," an eleven-ton, gasoline, 
screw propeller tug, which in 1922 was converted into a ninety-horse-power 
Diesel. In 1920 the company bought the "Hercules," two hundred and ninety-
three tons net, which had been rebuilt in 1899 from the old "Staghound." 
The "No Wonder" was built by Weidler, of the Weidler Mills, who had cut and 
seasoned the timber for two years before using. He named it "The Wonder," and 
it proved an extraordinarily good tow boat. So frequent was the 
expression, "No wonder," in referring to it, that he changed its name. In 1923 
the company built "The James W.," of seventy-six tons net, three hundred horse 
power Diesel screw propeller. In 1920 they bought the "Jessie Harkins," which 
they renamed "The Pearl," and in 1925 it was converted into a two hundred 
horse power Diesel screw propellor. In 1926 they bought "The Charm" at 
Bangdon, Oregon, a ninety horse power Diesel propellor. The company also has a 
small gas boat, "The Dorris," a thirty-horse-power screw propellor, built in 
1914. The Shaver Transportation Company is the oldest and largest towing 
concern on the Columbia river, and each year it averages over five hundred 
million feet of logs, besides many freighters and passenger boats. In 1927 the 
company moved to St. Johns, leasing the Grant-Smith-Porter shipyard, which 
affords them excellent facilities for repairs, as well as docks. The company 
employs about seventy-five people. Promptness and efficiency have 
characterized all of its operations and during all the years of its existence 
the company has been regarded as one of the most important business 
enterprises of the Columbia River valley.

     George M. Shaver was born in Portland, March 26, 1865, and is a son of 
George W. and Sarah (Dixon) Shaver. His father was born in Campbell county, 
Kentucky, March 2, 1832, and in young manhood went to Missouri, where he 
resided until 1849, when he joined a large company and started across the 
plains, with the ox team and covered wagon outfit of that period. On his 
arrival in California he went to work in the mines, but was not satisfied with 
the returns, so went to southern Oregon, where also he mined for awhile, but 
with indifferent success. On February 2, 1854, he came to Portland, and here 
married Miss Sarah Dixon, who had come across the plains in 1852 with her 
parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Dixon, who settled at Roseburg. With his bride, 
Mr. Shaver located in Marion county, settling on a farm which he operated 
until 1860, when he returned to Portland, locating on a tract of land that is 
now included within the Elizabeth Irving addition to the city. He began 
dealing in wood and for many years had large contracts for furnishing fuel to 
steamboats plying between Portland and San Francisco, as well as to many river 
boats and barges. In the course of this business he cleared much timber land 
and is credited with having cut more acres of timber in this section of the 
country than any other man. In an early day Mr. Shaver became interested in 
navigation, that being the only means of heavy freight transportation. He 
organized the Shaver Transportation Company, of which he became president, and 
which was developed into one of the most important navigation interests of the 
northwest. He gave close attention to the business and, being a man of great 
energy and keen sagacity, achieved a large measure of success. He died October 
26, 1900, at which time it was said of him, "He was not only a man of sound 
business judgment and capacity for observation and action, but also in his 
character embodied all that is excellent and of good report. No worthy cause 
of Portland but profited by his generosity and large-heartedness; no friend 
but was benefited by his counsel and assistance. To the end he retained in 
increasing measure the confidence of all with whom he was ever associated and 
to his family and friends he left the heritage of a good name."

     George M. Shaver attended the public schools of Portland and from boyhood 
has always been interested in river navigation, beginning his steamboating 
experience in 1884 as a deckhand on the "Manzanillo." Later he became mate and 
in 1886 took command of that boat. On the building of the "George W. Shaver" 
he became its purser, and was later its master for several years. In fact, he 
served as captain of nearly all of the early boats owned by the company, and 
since ceasing active service on the river he has been equally efficient in the 
management of the business, being now treasurer of the company. In 1898 
Captain Shaver went to Alaska, convoying three stern-wheelers for the Canadian 
Development Company, the "Columbian," the "Canadian" and the "Victorian." He 
was pilot on the "Columbian" and plied between Dawson and White Horse, and 
spent altogether about fourteen years in that country. However, in 1912 his 
business interests at home demanded his attention and he returned to Portland, 
where he has since resided.

     On January 20, 1890, Captain Shaver was united in marriage to Miss Maud 
Keenan, who was born in Minthorne, Oregon, and is a daughter of Samuel Keenan, 
a pioneer of Portland and long engaged in street contracting. He is deceased, 
and his widow is now living in Phoenix, Arizona. To Captain and Mrs. Shaver 
was born a son, Homer T., and a daughter, Sarah Susan, who died at the age of 
two years. Homer T. is now secretary and assistant manager of the Shaver 
Transportation Company. He married Miss Florence C. Jacobson, of Portland, and 
they are the parents of two children, Catherine Susan and George Homer. 
Captain Shaver is a Mason, belonging to the Knight Templar Commandery and the 
Mystic Shrine, and is also a member of the Auld Lang Syne Society. He is a man 
of strong character and attractive personality, is highly respected in 
business circles and commands the esteem of all who know him. Homer T. Shaver 
also is a Knight Templar Mason and a Shriner, belongs to the Multnomah Golf 
Club and is a life member of the Multnomah Athletic Club. He was well 
educated, graduating in 1913 from Pacific University, of which he is now a 
trustee, and from the law school of George Washington University in 1916. He 
practiced his profession two years, since which time he has devoted his 
attention to his official duties with the Shaver Transportation Company. He 
has held a master's license since 1921 and has been captain of several of the 
company's vessels. The present officers of the Shaver Transportation Company 
are, Captain Delmer Shaver, president; L. R. Shaver, vice president; George M. 
Shaver, treasurer and manager; and Homer T. Shaver, secretary and assistant 
manager.

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