Multnomah County OR Archives Biographies.....Werlein, John Edward 1862 - October 26, 1922
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Ila Wakley iwakley@msn.com January 17, 2011, 2:05 pm

Source: History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Vol. III, Published 1928, Pages 681 - 682
Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company

     JOHN EDWARD WERLEIN.  

                      He drew a circle that kept me out,   
                      Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout. 
                      But love and I had the wit to win, 
                      We drew a circle that took him in.

     That was the genius of J. E. Werlein. He didn't wait for the other fellow 
to be neighborly. He took the initiative in friendliness. And so, as he took 
his accustomed way daily, in the time that he lived, along the streets of 
Portland, the salutations became a genial chorus, "Hello, Ed."

     Then when he stood before the audience at the Advertising club or perhaps 
the Chamber of Commerce everyone listened. Partly it was because his big, 
bluff voice boomed away any possible inattention. Chiefly because his subject 
was always one that forgot self and inspired help for an unselfish cause or 
pride in his city and state.

     So when "Ed" walked more slowly, and when he leaned more heavily on the 
arm of his good wife, things didn't seem just as they should be. When his step 
was heard no longer, when his great voice was forever silent, something was 
gone out of Portland that was missed. A personality was absent whose place has 
not been taken, because this old world needs friendliness more than food.

     John Edward Werlein, of German background but with "America First" as his 
heritage, came into the world in New Orleans in 1862. He was the son of Peter 
Werlein and Clara whose name had been Hackeney. When he was nineteen he came 
to Portland, studied law at night, in the law department of the University of 
Oregon, working his way by day, until he was admitted to the bar. He served in 
the office of the city engineer, was deputy city treasurer for ten years under 
his uncle, Frank Hackeney and in 1900 was elected to the office of treasurer, 
there serving ten years with honor to himself and credit to his community.

     His next service, during a five-year period was in the legal department 
of the Portland Electric Power Company. At the time of his death, October 26, 
1922, he was a partner in the firm of Edward Holman & Sons, Inc., morticians.

     On September 3, 1892, he married Miss Bertha Thompson, the daughter of 
Eldridge Hill and Marguerite (Jenkins) Thompson. Helen, the daughter, became 
the wife of Loring J. Whitaker of Rex, Oregon; the son, Edward E., married 
Ruth Sellwood of Portland.

     In both fraternal and civic activities he had the keenest interest. In 
Masonry he took the degrees of the Scottish Rite, became a Noble of the Mystic 
Shrine and was a member of the Court of Honor. He was a life member of the 
Portland Lodge, A. F. & A. M. He was made an honorary life member of the 
Advertising Club of Portland and was prominent in the Royal Rosarians, the 
Progressive Business Men's Club, the Portland Transportation Club and the 
Young Men's Christian Association. He was a captain in the Willamette Rowing 
Club.

     So there was written not alone on chiseled epitaph of stone but in 
friends' hearts this line — He truly loved his fellow man.

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