Multnomah County OR Archives Biography.....Shea, John Francis 
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/or/orfiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Ila L. Wakley iwakley@msn.com September 30, 2010, 7:24 am

Source:Biography:History Of The Columbia River Valley From The Dalles To The Sea, Vol. III, Published 1928 Pages 534 - 537
Name:               John Francis Shea
Photo can be seen at:
http://www.usgwarchives.net/or/multnomah/photos/shea6782gph.jpg
Image file size: 136.0 Kb

JOHN FRANCIS SHEA.  Locating in Portland soon after attaining his majority, 
John Francis Shea made good use of his opportunities and progressed with the 
city. Diligent and successful in business, he left the deep impress of his 
individuality upon his work and he belonged to that class of men who, although 
modest and unassuming, nevertheless shape the character and influence the 
development of the communities in which they live.
     Mr. Shea was born March 14, 1856, in Dayton, Ohio, and was a son of 
Austin and Catherine (Raidy) Shea. His father was a native of Ireland and the 
mother's birth occurred in Dayton, Ohio. In that city John F. Shea was reared 
and educated, supplementing his public school training by a course in Dayton 
University. When a young man of about twenty-one he responded to the call of 
the west and spent a year in San Francisco, California. For about a year he 
was in the employ of the Donnerberg Plumbing Company, filling the position of 
manager, and then ventured in business for himself. Mr. Shea chose Portland, 
Oregon, as the scene of his activities, opening a plumbing shop at the corner 
of Sixth and Washington streets, and remained at that location for ten years. 
On the expiration of that period he erected a substantial building at the 
intersection of Second and Ankeny streets and there conducted the business 
until his death on December 18, 1926. About 1917 he had broadened the scope of 
his labors, entering the field of contracting, and his ability and energy 
placed him in a position of leadership. He installed the plumbing in many of 
Portland's fine residences and public buildings and owed his prosperity to 
tireless effort, good management and close conformity to a high standard of 
commercial ethics.
     Mr. Shea was married April 26, 1880, to Miss Anna M. McGinn, who was born 
in Portland in a house which stood near what is now the corner of Washington 
and Third streets, and her studies were pursued in St. Mary's Academy of this 
city. Her father, Charles McGinn, was born July 13, 1831, in Montreal, Canada, 
and left the Dominion in 1849. For some time he lived in New York city and in 
1858 started for the Pacific coast, making the trip on the first steamer to 
reach Oregon after it assumed the dignity of statehood. He was one of the 
pioneer business men of Portland and conducted a bakery at the corner of Main 
and First streets, later moving to Madison and First streets. In 1858 he was 
married in Hamilton, Canada, to Miss Anna Maria Hill, also a native of 
Montreal, and ten children were born to them. Mr. and Mrs. Shea became the 
parents of nine children. Ethel M., the eldest, is the wife of William P. 
Castleman, of Louisville, Kentucky, and they have two sons. Charles Austin 
Shea is now at the head of the business founded by his father and under his 
judicious management its continued growth is assured. He married Miss Leslie 
Lind, by whom he has four children. Anna C. has become the wife of Irving R. 
Stearns, of Portland, and is the mother of two children. Mabel Helen is Mrs. 
Roland Chapman, of Portland, and has a family of three children. John Francis 
Shea (II) is a well known actor and at the present time is filling an 
engagement in London, England. Ivelou is the wife of Harry L. Kuchins, of St. 
Louis, Missouri, and their family numbers two children. Gilbert James Shea is 
a contractor and one of the successful business men of Portland. He married 
Miss Lucille Morrow, by whom he has two children. The younger members of the 
family are Edmund Hill, who is associated in business with his brother, 
Charles Austin; and Dorothy Hill, whose husband is Harry Connacher Murphy, of 
Portland.
     In politics Mr. Shea was a republican and his religious views were in 
harmony with the doctrines of the Roman Catholic church, of which he was a 
devout member. Along fraternal lines he was connected with the Benevolent 
Protective Order of Elks and the Woodmen of the World. His life was useful and 
upright and his many good qualities endeared him to all with whom he was 
associated. Mrs. Shea resides in the family home at No. 583 Johnson street and 
is highly esteemed in the city in which her life has been spent.




Additional Comments:
Source/publication of Biography:History of the Columbia River Valley From The 
Dalles to the Sea, Vol. III, Published 1928,

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/or/multnomah/photos/shea6782gph.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/orfiles/

File size: 5.2 Kb