Clark-Pierce County WA Archives Biographies.....Schofield, Edward Richard 1868 - June 7, 1920
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Ila L. Wakley iwakley@msn.com June 28, 2010, 11:34 am

Source: History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Vol. II, Published 1928, Pages 350 - 353
Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company

     EDWARD RICHARD SCHOFIELD.  In the death of Edward R. Schofield, on June 
7, 1920, the city of Vancouver lost one of its representative citizens and 
business men, one who had filled a large place in public affairs and had 
contributed of his individual efforts to the progress and advancement of the 
community. An able and sagacious business man and public-spirited citizen, he 
commanded the unqualified respect of his fellowmen and honored his city by his 
life and labors.

     Mr. Schofield was born in Vancouver, Washington, in 1868, and was a son 
of Nicholas and Mary Elizabeth Schofield, the former of whom was born in 
Ireland and the latter in Germany. The father emigrated to this country and 
became a soldier in the regular army, serving as sergeant when mustered out. 
He came with his regiment to Fort Vancouver in 1851 and on the expiration of 
his enlistment engaged in a mercantile business. He was successful and bought 
an acre of land on which the Schofield block now stands and which is still in 
the possession of the family. To him and his wife were born five children, one 
of whom died in childhood, the others being Mrs. Daniels, Mrs. Clark, Mrs. 
O'Neil and Edward R., all of whom are deceased.

     Edward R. Schofield attended the public schools and when eighteen years 
old went to Tacoma and engaged in railroad work, being employed in an office 
for about five years. He then returned to Vancouver and assisted his father in 
the mercantile business, being also employed for a time in the post office. He 
continued in the store until after his father's death, but during the greater 
part of his subsequent career he gave his attention to the buying and selling 
of real estate, in which he was very successful. He also made other important 
investments, the results of his careful and conservative judgment and his 
sound sense in practical affairs. He sold one strip of land for the railroad 
depot, and with the money thus obtained he built the Schofield block, which 
includes the Padden building, the Telephone building and the Marshall & McCall 
hardware store, all of which are still owned by the family, Mrs. Schofield 
still carrying on the business in an able and successful manner.

     In 1906 Mr. Schofield was united in marriage to Miss Mary Elizabeth 
Conboie, who was born in San Francisco, California, and is a daughter of 
George and Lily A. (Smith) Conboie, the former of whom was born in San 
Francisco, while the latter was born at sea while the family were en route 
around Cape Horn to California during the days of the great gold rush. Mr. 
Conboie, who was a jeweler by trade, came to California about that same 
period, probably crossing the plains with ox teams and covered wagons. Mrs. 
Schofield's maternal grandparents settled in Vancouver at a very early day, 
Mr. Smith, who was a soldier, coming here with his regiment in 1850. After 
leaving the army he became a storekeeper, and his wife, who was one of the 
three first women in Vancouver, kept boarders. Among her guests was General 
Grant, who at that time was a lieutenant, and General Ingalls, who was then in 
the quartermaster's department. She became the owner of a small cottage near 
Mission, which she sold and then bought a block of land in the center of town, 
a part of which is still in possession of the family. The first Catholic 
priest here presented her with a beautiful antique candelabra, which is now 
owned and greatly prized by Mrs. Schofield. Grandfather Smith was long a 
justice of the peace and was one of the first representatives in the state 
legislature from this district. He bought from the Hudson Bay Company a 
beautiful set of Louis XV furniture, now owned by Mrs. Schofield. Her father 
died in San Francisco when she was three years old, after which her mother 
came north and lived with her parents, Mrs. Schofield also remaining with them 
up to the time of her marriage. To Mr. and Mrs. Schofield were born two 
children, Edward Patrick, who is a student in the University of Washington, 
and James Philip, who is in high school.

     Mr. Schofield was a lifelong republican in his political belief and took 
a keen interest in local affairs. He was a member of the city council for 
eleven years and also served as mayor of the city, giving a clean and 
businesslike administration. His religious faith was that of the Catholic 
church, while Mrs. Schofield is a generous supporter of the Protestant 
Episcopal church, also giving liberally to all worthy benevolent and 
charitable causes. Although his life was a busy one, Mr. Schofield never 
shrank from his duties as a citizen and his obligations to his neighbors and 
friends. There were in him sterling traits of character which commanded 
uniform confidence and regard, and his memory is today honored by all who knew 
him and is enshrined in the hearts of his many friends. At his funeral, which 
was very largely attended, floral tributes by friends from far and near 
testified to the high regard in which he was held by his fellowmen.

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