LEBANON EXPRESS, June 4, 1919

SOME MEN WHO HELP MAKE LEBANON GROW

C. H. RALSTON, JR.

                “Jack” Ralston as every person in Linn county knows him, is a three ply Oregonian.  His grandfather, Jeremiah Ralston, came to Oregon in 47 and took up the donation land claim which is the present site of the beautiful little city of Lebanon.  Jeremiah Ralston was the founder of Lebanon and his son, C. H. Ralston, Sr., the father of the subject of this sketch was born while his parents were coming across the plains.  Of sturdy pioneer stock, inheriting the energy and aggressiveness of his forefathers, C. H. Ralston, Jr., was destined to strike out for himself and is a fine example of the western self-made man.  His early education was secured at the Lebanon schools, Albany College and the Portland Business College.  For several years he was connected with the Breyman Leather Co. of Portland.  He came to the Lebanon Paper Mills in 1911 and in 1915 became manager, a position in which all of Linn county takes pride in having one of her native sons occupy.

C. B. SPENCER

                C. B. Spencer was born in Oregon, Feb. 10, 1893.  His parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Spencer, were both born in Oregon also.  His education was received at the University of Oregon.  His father was one of the pioneer horticulturists of this state and his son, the subject of this sketch, was furnished with the incentive of fruit and berry processing.  He was connected with the Eugene Fruit Growers Association for three years and was process superintendent of the Brownsville Canning Co. for two years.  For one year he was manager of A. Rupert & Co., canners of fruits and vegetables at Portland.  In 1918 he was transferred to Lebanon and became manager of the Lebanon Canning Co., and has since made extensive alterations and additions amounting to $30,000.

                He is a heavy stockholder in the Lebanon Canning Co. and believes in the future of the Lebanon district as a fruit and berry center.  He has backed up hi beliefs in a substantial way by a purchasing a farm here.  The Lebanon Canning Co., as well as canneries at Newberg, Gresham, Falls City and Portland are under the supervision of A. Rupert & Co., Inc., one of the largest and most successful canners of all kinds of fruits and vegetables in the west.  The dried prune processing and packing methods of this organization are making it possible to get the top prices for Oregon products.  The Lebanon plant in 1918 put up 40,000 cases and are preparing to double that output in 1919.  Mr. Spencer is married and has two delightful children, a girl of two years, and a boy of six months.

ROY F. FITZWATER

                Mr. Fitzwater was born in Linn county, Oregon in 1888, and is the son of Jacob Fitzwater and Jane (Burtenshaw) Fitzwater.  His father, Jacob Fitzwater, crossed the plains when he was five years old.  His mother, Jane Fitzwater, was born in Oregon.  His early education was in the Lebanon schools and later he attended Albany College.

                He began his agricultural and horticultural career by potato growing which developed to an extensive business.  Later his efforts were directed to grain and berry growing.  He is now one of the largest berry growers in western Oregon, which means in the world.  Strawberries and raspberries receive the greater part of his attention at present.  He has operated the Fitzwater warehouse in Lebanon for some time, which has been a great benefit to the Linn county farmer in caring for his crops.  His career in Lane county has been an ideal one in fitting him for the position of field manager of the Lebanon Canning Co.  His excellent judgment, willingness and good nature make him very popular with all who come in contact with him.

                As Lebanon is destined to become one of the great berry producing centers of the world and as the sales problem has been successfully met and a world-wide demand secured it only remains for the land owner to get in the berry growing industry early and hasten the day of reward.

ALBERT F. WILSON

                Mr. Wilson is a native Oregonian, having been born in Linn county near Lebanon March 4^th, 1881.  His parents were pioneers of this section.  His education was obtained at the Lebanon schools and the Behnke-Walker Business College of Portland.  For twelve years he was engaged in the general merchandise business and in 1912 sold out and bought the business of the Lebanon Hotel.  He quickly developed into an ideal hotel manager.  As a host Mr. Wilson is known to travelers from one end of the country to the other almost as well as he is within the limits of Linn county, and since “as the host, so the hotel,” the same might be said of Hotel Lebanon.  It is one of the very best hotels in the whole state.

R. KUHN

                Mr. Kuhn is of course known primarily as the manager of the theatre which bears his name and all that pertains thereto or comes there in the shape of moving pictures or vaudeville, always the “best that can be secured” of either or both varieties of entertainment.  Beyond that he is one of the livest and liveliest wires in the city and always ready to take off his coat and work for the public interest, for any charitable or humanitarian undertaking, or to further the prosperity of his friends.  Still beyond and above this he an earnest believer in and worker for the true education of both the younger and older generation, whether that education takes the form of photoplays or any other agent for the enlightenment and broadening of the scope of mankind.  Mr. Kuhn is a true exponent of tact and courtesy as well as a man who radiates good fellowship.

THAD STERLING

                While he still is a comparatively young man, Mr. Sterling, the feed, grain and seed dealer, can make good his claim to be one of the builders of Lebanon, having been closely identified with its growth since it emerged from, the village class.  He was born in Illinois and came to Oregon in 1892 and farmed for a time south of Salem.  From there he went to Brownsville, where he remained until 1906, when he bought the warehouse business of J. E. Drucks in this city.  In 1911 he bought the feed store of J. M. Steward, since which time he has conducted both establishments.

                His large warehouse and his feed and seed store, conducted on modern business methods with the strict integrity of his own character invariably applied, have served the public to their benefit as well as making a success of the business on his part.  Mr. Sterling is progressive and enterprising and gives liberally of his time and means for worthy causes of all kinds.

Contributed by Pat Dunn, 10 June 2001