Clark-Whatcom County WA Archives Biographies.....Padden, Thomas W. 1846 - December 15, 1916
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Ila Wakley iwakley@msn.com October 24, 2009, 1:13 pm

Source: History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Vol. III, Published 1928, Pages 93-94
Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company

     The late Thomas W. Padden, who for many years was actively identified 
with various business interests in Vancouver, was a man of great energy and 
determination, possessed keen sagacity in practical affairs and met with a 
large measure of success, while as a citizen he took a deep and effective 
interest in the progress and advancement of his community. Mr. Padden was born 
in Ireland in 1846 and was one of the ten children of Michael and Mary 
(Carben) Padden, also natives of the Emerald isle. When he was two years of 
age, the family came to the United States and located in Pennsylvania, where 
he was reared and attended school until thirteen years of age, when, in 1859, 
he came to the Pacific coast, by way of the isthmus of Panama. Coming to the 
Puget sound country, he went to work in the coal mines at Bellingham bay, 
where he remained until 1862, when he turned his attention to gold mining at 
Canyon City, later going to the gold mines of Colorado. On his return to 
Vancouver, in 1871, Mr. Padden engaged in the wholesale and retail liquor 
business and also became a government contractor, supplying fuel and forage 
for Fort Vancouver. Later he also became interested in the produce commission 
business in Portland, and maintained his connection with all of these 
interests during the greater part of his business career, his death occurring 
December 15, 1916.

     In October, 1873, Mr. Padden was united in marriage to Miss Sarah C. 
O'Byrne, who was born in San Francisco, California, October 4, 1854, and is a 
daughter of Hugh and Catherine (Murray) O'Byrne, both of whom were natives of 
Ireland. Her father, shortly after coming to this country, enlisted in the 
United States Army, took part in the war with Mexico and was with the troops 
who took possession of this northwestern country, coming here in May, 1849. He 
was about fourteen years of age when he was sent with a detachment of troops 
to rescue immigrants from the Mormons, who, disguised as Indians, were 
attacking the emigrant trains. Mr. O'Byrne was captured, but persuaded his 
captors to let him go and drive a mule. He was out with the expedition about 
nine months, during which time he suffered many hardships and privations. He 
left the army at the close of his enlistment period and started overland for 
California, but was attacked by Indians and forced to return, whereupon he 
made the trip by water. He remained in California a few years, and then 
returned to Vancouver and took up a donation claim three miles from the center 
of town, and there he developed a good ranch, on which he carried on farming 
operations to the time of his death, which occurred on November 12, 1903. His 
widow died April 9, 1905. They were the parents of four children, all of whom 
are living. Mrs. Padden attended the public schools and old Providence Academy 
in Fort Vancouver, after which she remained at home until her marriage, when 
nineteen years old. To Mr. and Mrs. Padden were born ten children: Mary C. is 
the wife of P. J. Kirivin and they have five children; Louise is the wife of 
J. J. Donovan and they have two children; Margaret is the wife of T. P. 
Redmond and the mother of three children; Gertrude is the wife of T. D. 
McGrath and has one child; Barbara is the wife of Robert F. Renard and has 
three children; John A. is in the employ of the Portland Electric Light 
Company; Thomas L., who was married to Miss Mabel Aune, is cashier of the 
Spokane Portland & Seattle Company; Constance, is a registered nurse, lives at 
home; Ruth C., who was a stenographer, was accidentally drowned June 24, 1923; 
Winnifred is a stenographer with the DuBois Mill Company.

     Mr. Padden was a stanch democrat in his political views and was active in 
local affairs, having served as one of the first chiefs of the Vancouver fire 
department. He belonged to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the 
Improved Order of Red Men and the Knights of Columbus, and his religious faith 
was that of the Roman Catholic church. Mrs. Padden is a member of the 
Tillicums and is popular among her associates, who admire her for her kindly 
and gracious manner. Mr. Padden enjoyed a wide acquaintance throughout this 
section of the country and, because of his ability, consistent life and 
excellent personal qualities, commanded the esteem and good will of all who 
knew him.

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