Dec. 18, 1914; Oregonian, p 9
"E. Henry Wemme Dies of Diabetes"
E. Henry Wemme, a prominent citizen of Portland, died yesterday afternoon in a Los Angeles hospital at the age of 54. The end came suddenly, the cause being diabetes, hastened by a cold which Mr. Wemme contracted en route to California a week ago. He left Portland last Sunday for the south, being accustomed to pass his Winters in California. The trip wore him out, it is understood, and upon his arrival at Los Angeles, he was taken to a hospital, where the end soon came.
His chauffeur, Frank Richardson, who accompanied him on the trip, telegraphed news of his death to George W. Joseph, Mr. Wemme's attorney, late yesterday. It is supposed the body will be returned here for interment, although as yet no arrangements have been made for the funeral.
The story of Mr. Wemme, who came to America at the age of 19, a German immigrant boy unable to speak English, is one of the romances of the West. One of the best known of all Portland's citizens, eccentric, but loved all the more, perhaps, for his oddities, many will learn of his death with keen regret. He was born in Crospan, Saxony.
Mr. Wemme leaves no immediate family, but is survived by two brothers and two sisters in Germany. He leaves property estimated to be of the value of $750,000.
Mr. Wemme's holding's in Portland consist of a large interest in the Overlook Land Company, of which he long was president, a quarter block at Tenth and Burnside streets, the building at Broadway and Oak streets, in which the firm of Ballou & Wright is located, the building on Union avenue occupied by the Moline Plow Company, one-half block at Broadway and Burnside streets, occupied by the Keats Auto Company, besides other holdings less important.
Mr. Wemme came to Portland in 1882 and his first employment was in the old Albina Flouring Mills. After a few months with that company, he set to work at mending and building awnings. His work along this line resulted in the organization of the Willamette Tent & Awning Company in 1889.
It was in 1891 that Mr. Wemme brought the first automobile to Portland, a fact of which he always was proud. For years his machines bore the license No. 1. The quaint runabout that was the first car to run over the city streets is familiar to most residents of Portland.
Mr. Wemme was also the first aeroplane owner in Oregon, following the first exhibition of flying machines, which was held at the Country Club track some years ago.
While in the tent and awning business Mr. Wemme made several business coups that brought him large financial returns. The first was at the time of the Seattle fire, in 1889, when he rushed a large supply of tents to the ruined city and erected temporary quarters for the inhabitants. The opportunity called for quick action, but he was equal to the emergency and he cleaned up a small fortune. The same year, Ellensburg, Wash., was destroyed by fire, and he did the same thing there. A few months later, a portion of Spokane was burned to the ground and he followed the same plan.
"Had it not been for those fires," said Mr. Wemme, in telling the story of his start in business, "I would have gone broke that year, for I was overstocked and had loaded up with unprofitable sidelines. But after those fires it was plain sailing."
The Spanish-American War came as another big business opportunity for him. A shrewd New York agent of Mr. Wemme, acting before war was declared, advised a big purchase of tent materials in anticipation of the conflict and Mr. Wemme ordered him to buy big stocks and start them west. These shipments arrived in San Francisco just in time to be unloaded at the Presidio at the moment that large numbers of troops were ordered into camp there.
Mr. Wemme received later orders from the Government for tents and disposed of his big purchase at a good profit.
The rush of gold seekers to Alaska gave another opportunity in the tent business of which Mr. Wemme was quick to take advantage.
But it was in Portland real estate that the bulk of Mr. Wemme's fortune was made. Shrewd investments were made.
Mr. Wemme developed a real enthusiasm for good roads. His love of the automobile probably formed the basis for this hobby. He was known as the father of the Mount Hood road and following the purchase of the Barlow toll road, for which he paid $6000, he expended no less than $25,000 from his own fortune in improving this scenic highway for the benefit of Portland people.
He has been given the credit of being the founder of the good roads movement in this state, so far as getting actual results is concerned. When he began his campaign for improved highways, the state had little of which to boast in the way of good roads.
He circulated a petition for the right of way of the Columbia Highway and secured good results in starting that work. But the Mount Hood road claimed the fullest share of his attention and this scenic highway may well be said to be a monument to his memory.
His great interest in good roads and the automobile made him one of the founders of the Portland Automobile Club and he was elected the first president of that organization. He was also a well known member of the Commercial Club, where he lived.
Mr. Wemme was a generous man. He retired from business in July, 1911, giving a notable banquet to a number of his friends to celebrate that event.
At the time of his retirement, he placed a number of women employes on pension, paying these benevolences until his death.
"Crippled Folk Remembered in Will"
It is understood that Mr. Wemme made a will a few years ago bequeathing a greater part of his wealth to a home for crippled men and other unfortunates of Portland vicinity. He proposed to have the home established on a hill overlooking the city from the east and to provide every facility known to science and architecture to make the place attractive and comfortable for the inmates. An ambulance service between the home and the city also is to be maintained with funds from Mr. Wemme's estate.
A. C. Sheldon, one of the witnesses to the will, died last June.
"E. Henry Wemme Dies of Diabetes"
E. Henry Wemme, a prominent citizen of Portland, died yesterday afternoon in a Los Angeles hospital at the age of 54. The end came suddenly, the cause being diabetes, hastened by a cold which Mr. Wemme contracted en route to California a week ago. He left Portland last Sunday for the south, being accustomed to pass his Winters in California. The trip wore him out, it is understood, and upon his arrival at Los Angeles, he was taken to a hospital, where the end soon came.
His chauffeur, Frank Richardson, who accompanied him on the trip, telegraphed news of his death to George W. Joseph, Mr. Wemme's attorney, late yesterday. It is supposed the body will be returned here for interment, although as yet no arrangements have been made for the funeral.
The story of Mr. Wemme, who came to America at the age of 19, a German immigrant boy unable to speak English, is one of the romances of the West. One of the best known of all Portland's citizens, eccentric, but loved all the more, perhaps, for his oddities, many will learn of his death with keen regret. He was born in Crospan, Saxony.
Mr. Wemme leaves no immediate family, but is survived by two brothers and two sisters in Germany. He leaves property estimated to be of the value of $750,000.
Mr. Wemme's holding's in Portland consist of a large interest in the Overlook Land Company, of which he long was president, a quarter block at Tenth and Burnside streets, the building at Broadway and Oak streets, in which the firm of Ballou & Wright is located, the building on Union avenue occupied by the Moline Plow Company, one-half block at Broadway and Burnside streets, occupied by the Keats Auto Company, besides other holdings less important.
Mr. Wemme came to Portland in 1882 and his first employment was in the old Albina Flouring Mills. After a few months with that company, he set to work at mending and building awnings. His work along this line resulted in the organization of the Willamette Tent & Awning Company in 1889.
It was in 1891 that Mr. Wemme brought the first automobile to Portland, a fact of which he always was proud. For years his machines bore the license No. 1. The quaint runabout that was the first car to run over the city streets is familiar to most residents of Portland.
Mr. Wemme was also the first aeroplane owner in Oregon, following the first exhibition of flying machines, which was held at the Country Club track some years ago.
While in the tent and awning business Mr. Wemme made several business coups that brought him large financial returns. The first was at the time of the Seattle fire, in 1889, when he rushed a large supply of tents to the ruined city and erected temporary quarters for the inhabitants. The opportunity called for quick action, but he was equal to the emergency and he cleaned up a small fortune. The same year, Ellensburg, Wash., was destroyed by fire, and he did the same thing there. A few months later, a portion of Spokane was burned to the ground and he followed the same plan.
"Had it not been for those fires," said Mr. Wemme, in telling the story of his start in business, "I would have gone broke that year, for I was overstocked and had loaded up with unprofitable sidelines. But after those fires it was plain sailing."
The Spanish-American War came as another big business opportunity for him. A shrewd New York agent of Mr. Wemme, acting before war was declared, advised a big purchase of tent materials in anticipation of the conflict and Mr. Wemme ordered him to buy big stocks and start them west. These shipments arrived in San Francisco just in time to be unloaded at the Presidio at the moment that large numbers of troops were ordered into camp there.
Mr. Wemme received later orders from the Government for tents and disposed of his big purchase at a good profit.
The rush of gold seekers to Alaska gave another opportunity in the tent business of which Mr. Wemme was quick to take advantage.
But it was in Portland real estate that the bulk of Mr. Wemme's fortune was made. Shrewd investments were made.
Mr. Wemme developed a real enthusiasm for good roads. His love of the automobile probably formed the basis for this hobby. He was known as the father of the Mount Hood road and following the purchase of the Barlow toll road, for which he paid $6000, he expended no less than $25,000 from his own fortune in improving this scenic highway for the benefit of Portland people.
He has been given the credit of being the founder of the good roads movement in this state, so far as getting actual results is concerned. When he began his campaign for improved highways, the state had little of which to boast in the way of good roads.
He circulated a petition for the right of way of the Columbia Highway and secured good results in starting that work. But the Mount Hood road claimed the fullest share of his attention and this scenic highway may well be said to be a monument to his memory.
His great interest in good roads and the automobile made him one of the founders of the Portland Automobile Club and he was elected the first president of that organization. He was also a well known member of the Commercial Club, where he lived.
Mr. Wemme was a generous man. He retired from business in July, 1911, giving a notable banquet to a number of his friends to celebrate that event.
At the time of his retirement, he placed a number of women employes on pension, paying these benevolences until his death.
"Crippled Folk Remembered in Will"
It is understood that Mr. Wemme made a will a few years ago bequeathing a greater part of his wealth to a home for crippled men and other unfortunates of Portland vicinity. He proposed to have the home established on a hill overlooking the city from the east and to provide every facility known to science and architecture to make the place attractive and comfortable for the inmates. An ambulance service between the home and the city also is to be maintained with funds from Mr. Wemme's estate.
A. C. Sheldon, one of the witnesses to the will, died last June.
Dec. 18, 1914; Oregonian, p 9
"E. Henry Wemme Dies of Diabetes"
E. Henry Wemme, a prominent citizen of Portland, died yesterday afternoon in a Los Angeles hospital at the age of 54. The end came suddenly, the cause being diabetes, hastened by a cold which Mr. Wemme contracted en route to California a week ago. He left Portland last Sunday for the south, being accustomed to pass his Winters in California. The trip wore him out, it is understood, and upon his arrival at Los Angeles, he was taken to a hospital, where the end soon came.
His chauffeur, Frank Richardson, who accompanied him on the trip, telegraphed news of his death to George W. Joseph, Mr. Wemme's attorney, late yesterday. It is supposed the body will be returned here for interment, although as yet no arrangements have been made for the funeral.
The story of Mr. Wemme, who came to America at the age of 19, a German immigrant boy unable to speak English, is one of the romances of the West. One of the best known of all Portland's citizens, eccentric, but loved all the more, perhaps, for his oddities, many will learn of his death with keen regret. He was born in Crospan, Saxony.
Mr. Wemme leaves no immediate family, but is survived by two brothers and two sisters in Germany. He leaves property estimated to be of the value of $750,000.
Mr. Wemme's holding's in Portland consist of a large interest in the Overlook Land Company, of which he long was president, a quarter block at Tenth and Burnside streets, the building at Broadway and Oak streets, in which the firm of Ballou & Wright is located, the building on Union avenue occupied by the Moline Plow Company, one-half block at Broadway and Burnside streets, occupied by the Keats Auto Company, besides other holdings less important.
Mr. Wemme came to Portland in 1882 and his first employment was in the old Albina Flouring Mills. After a few months with that company, he set to work at mending and building awnings. His work along this line resulted in the organization of the Willamette Tent & Awning Company in 1889.
It was in 1891 that Mr. Wemme brought the first automobile to Portland, a fact of which he always was proud. For years his machines bore the license No. 1. The quaint runabout that was the first car to run over the city streets is familiar to most residents of Portland.
Mr. Wemme was also the first aeroplane owner in Oregon, following the first exhibition of flying machines, which was held at the Country Club track some years ago.
While in the tent and awning business Mr. Wemme made several business coups that brought him large financial returns. The first was at the time of the Seattle fire, in 1889, when he rushed a large supply of tents to the ruined city and erected temporary quarters for the inhabitants. The opportunity called for quick action, but he was equal to the emergency and he cleaned up a small fortune. The same year, Ellensburg, Wash., was destroyed by fire, and he did the same thing there. A few months later, a portion of Spokane was burned to the ground and he followed the same plan.
"Had it not been for those fires," said Mr. Wemme, in telling the story of his start in business, "I would have gone broke that year, for I was overstocked and had loaded up with unprofitable sidelines. But after those fires it was plain sailing."
The Spanish-American War came as another big business opportunity for him. A shrewd New York agent of Mr. Wemme, acting before war was declared, advised a big purchase of tent materials in anticipation of the conflict and Mr. Wemme ordered him to buy big stocks and start them west. These shipments arrived in San Francisco just in time to be unloaded at the Presidio at the moment that large numbers of troops were ordered into camp there.
Mr. Wemme received later orders from the Government for tents and disposed of his big purchase at a good profit.
The rush of gold seekers to Alaska gave another opportunity in the tent business of which Mr. Wemme was quick to take advantage.
But it was in Portland real estate that the bulk of Mr. Wemme's fortune was made. Shrewd investments were made.
Mr. Wemme developed a real enthusiasm for good roads. His love of the automobile probably formed the basis for this hobby. He was known as the father of the Mount Hood road and following the purchase of the Barlow toll road, for which he paid $6000, he expended no less than $25,000 from his own fortune in improving this scenic highway for the benefit of Portland people.
He has been given the credit of being the founder of the good roads movement in this state, so far as getting actual results is concerned. When he began his campaign for improved highways, the state had little of which to boast in the way of good roads.
He circulated a petition for the right of way of the Columbia Highway and secured good results in starting that work. But the Mount Hood road claimed the fullest share of his attention and this scenic highway may well be said to be a monument to his memory.
His great interest in good roads and the automobile made him one of the founders of the Portland Automobile Club and he was elected the first president of that organization. He was also a well known member of the Commercial Club, where he lived.
Mr. Wemme was a generous man. He retired from business in July, 1911, giving a notable banquet to a number of his friends to celebrate that event.
At the time of his retirement, he placed a number of women employes on pension, paying these benevolences until his death.
"Crippled Folk Remembered in Will"
It is understood that Mr. Wemme made a will a few years ago bequeathing a greater part of his wealth to a home for crippled men and other unfortunates of Portland vicinity. He proposed to have the home established on a hill overlooking the city from the east and to provide every facility known to science and architecture to make the place attractive and comfortable for the inmates. An ambulance service between the home and the city also is to be maintained with funds from Mr. Wemme's estate.
A. C. Sheldon, one of the witnesses to the will, died last June.
"E. Henry Wemme Dies of Diabetes"
E. Henry Wemme, a prominent citizen of Portland, died yesterday afternoon in a Los Angeles hospital at the age of 54. The end came suddenly, the cause being diabetes, hastened by a cold which Mr. Wemme contracted en route to California a week ago. He left Portland last Sunday for the south, being accustomed to pass his Winters in California. The trip wore him out, it is understood, and upon his arrival at Los Angeles, he was taken to a hospital, where the end soon came.
His chauffeur, Frank Richardson, who accompanied him on the trip, telegraphed news of his death to George W. Joseph, Mr. Wemme's attorney, late yesterday. It is supposed the body will be returned here for interment, although as yet no arrangements have been made for the funeral.
The story of Mr. Wemme, who came to America at the age of 19, a German immigrant boy unable to speak English, is one of the romances of the West. One of the best known of all Portland's citizens, eccentric, but loved all the more, perhaps, for his oddities, many will learn of his death with keen regret. He was born in Crospan, Saxony.
Mr. Wemme leaves no immediate family, but is survived by two brothers and two sisters in Germany. He leaves property estimated to be of the value of $750,000.
Mr. Wemme's holding's in Portland consist of a large interest in the Overlook Land Company, of which he long was president, a quarter block at Tenth and Burnside streets, the building at Broadway and Oak streets, in which the firm of Ballou & Wright is located, the building on Union avenue occupied by the Moline Plow Company, one-half block at Broadway and Burnside streets, occupied by the Keats Auto Company, besides other holdings less important.
Mr. Wemme came to Portland in 1882 and his first employment was in the old Albina Flouring Mills. After a few months with that company, he set to work at mending and building awnings. His work along this line resulted in the organization of the Willamette Tent & Awning Company in 1889.
It was in 1891 that Mr. Wemme brought the first automobile to Portland, a fact of which he always was proud. For years his machines bore the license No. 1. The quaint runabout that was the first car to run over the city streets is familiar to most residents of Portland.
Mr. Wemme was also the first aeroplane owner in Oregon, following the first exhibition of flying machines, which was held at the Country Club track some years ago.
While in the tent and awning business Mr. Wemme made several business coups that brought him large financial returns. The first was at the time of the Seattle fire, in 1889, when he rushed a large supply of tents to the ruined city and erected temporary quarters for the inhabitants. The opportunity called for quick action, but he was equal to the emergency and he cleaned up a small fortune. The same year, Ellensburg, Wash., was destroyed by fire, and he did the same thing there. A few months later, a portion of Spokane was burned to the ground and he followed the same plan.
"Had it not been for those fires," said Mr. Wemme, in telling the story of his start in business, "I would have gone broke that year, for I was overstocked and had loaded up with unprofitable sidelines. But after those fires it was plain sailing."
The Spanish-American War came as another big business opportunity for him. A shrewd New York agent of Mr. Wemme, acting before war was declared, advised a big purchase of tent materials in anticipation of the conflict and Mr. Wemme ordered him to buy big stocks and start them west. These shipments arrived in San Francisco just in time to be unloaded at the Presidio at the moment that large numbers of troops were ordered into camp there.
Mr. Wemme received later orders from the Government for tents and disposed of his big purchase at a good profit.
The rush of gold seekers to Alaska gave another opportunity in the tent business of which Mr. Wemme was quick to take advantage.
But it was in Portland real estate that the bulk of Mr. Wemme's fortune was made. Shrewd investments were made.
Mr. Wemme developed a real enthusiasm for good roads. His love of the automobile probably formed the basis for this hobby. He was known as the father of the Mount Hood road and following the purchase of the Barlow toll road, for which he paid $6000, he expended no less than $25,000 from his own fortune in improving this scenic highway for the benefit of Portland people.
He has been given the credit of being the founder of the good roads movement in this state, so far as getting actual results is concerned. When he began his campaign for improved highways, the state had little of which to boast in the way of good roads.
He circulated a petition for the right of way of the Columbia Highway and secured good results in starting that work. But the Mount Hood road claimed the fullest share of his attention and this scenic highway may well be said to be a monument to his memory.
His great interest in good roads and the automobile made him one of the founders of the Portland Automobile Club and he was elected the first president of that organization. He was also a well known member of the Commercial Club, where he lived.
Mr. Wemme was a generous man. He retired from business in July, 1911, giving a notable banquet to a number of his friends to celebrate that event.
At the time of his retirement, he placed a number of women employes on pension, paying these benevolences until his death.
"Crippled Folk Remembered in Will"
It is understood that Mr. Wemme made a will a few years ago bequeathing a greater part of his wealth to a home for crippled men and other unfortunates of Portland vicinity. He proposed to have the home established on a hill overlooking the city from the east and to provide every facility known to science and architecture to make the place attractive and comfortable for the inmates. An ambulance service between the home and the city also is to be maintained with funds from Mr. Wemme's estate.
A. C. Sheldon, one of the witnesses to the will, died last June.
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