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JOHN HENRY BURGARD.
A prominent figure in business circles of Portland is John Henry Burgard, of John H. Burgard & Company, engaged
in the sale of general insurance and surety bonds, and his influence is one of broadening activity and strength
in the field in which he operates. He is proving energetic, resourceful and farsighted in the management of the
extensive business of which he is the head and success in substantial measure has rewarded his efforts. Mr. Burgard
is a native of the east. He was born at Buffalo, in Erie county, New York, January 1, 1865, a son of Charles and
Elizabeth (Reinhardt) Burgard. The father was born near Metz, France, where the village of Beauregard now stands
and which has been the home of the Beauregards for centuries, the present manner of spelling the name having been
adopted by the Protestant branch of the family, owing to religious persecution.
In the public and high schools of his native city John H. Burgard acquired his education and in 1880 he first became
identified with the general insurance business in Buffalo, with which he was there connected until 1888, when he
sought the opportunities offered in the west, making his way to Portland, where he has since resided. Here he engaged
in the general insurance business in association with George A. and James Steel under the firm style of G. A. Steel
& Company, who acted as general agents in the northwest for several companies, and at a subsequent date he
organized an independent business venture, of which he is now the head, conducting his interests under the name
of John H. Burgard & Company. He sells general insurance, in which connection he has built up a large patronage,
for he thoroughly understands the business, having devoted his entire life to this branch of commercial activity,
and he also deals in surety bonds, being equally successful along this line. His resourceful business ability and
initiative spirit have also led him into other connections and in 1890 he was one of the organizers of the Metropolitan
Street Railway Company, of which he became secretary. This was the first electric line established in Portland,
its route being on Second street to Fulton Park, and the Fulton Park right of way is now being used by the Oregon
Electric Railroad In 1918 he became one of the organizers of the Columbia Pacific Shipping Company, which built
up a large transportation business, operating at one time from forty to fifty vessels, which were sent from this
port to all parts of the world, while they now have a fleet of about twenty five vessels. Other interests have
also felt the stimulus of the enterprise, business acumen and well defined plans of Mr. Burgard, who is serving
as a director of the Alaska Pacific Fisheries, which operates three salmon canneries and is one of the largest
enterprises of this character in the northwest, and he is likewise on the directorate of the West Oregon Lumber
Company, the Oregon Timber Mill, the Oregon Electric Railway Company and the United Railway Company. His activities
are broad and varied and his labors are resultant factors in whatever he undertakes. He possesses marked executive
force and the power to coordinate seemingly diverse elements into a unified and harmonious whole, and to him opportunity
has spelled success.
In Rickreall, Polk county, Oregon, on the 25th of June, 1890, Mr. Burgard was united in marriage to Miss Jessie
Clark, a daughter of William Edward and Lavina Clark, who became early pioneers of Oregon, having crossed the plains
in 1852 from Missouri. While en route the grandfather and grandmother of Mrs. Burgard became victims of the cholera
epidemic and were buried on the old trail somewhere in Idaho. Mr. and Mrs. Burgard have become the parents of two
children: John Clark and William Norman, both of whom served as first lieutenants in the World war, the elder son
winning promotion to the rank of captain. He was a member of Company H, Three Hundred and Sixty second Infantry,
Ninety first Division, and while serving with the British forces in Belgium received severe gunshot wounds, being
compelled to undergo twelve operations. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross by the United States government,
at which time he received the following citation: "For extraordinary heroism in action near Epinonville, France,
September 27, 1918. On duty as battalion liason officer, Lieutenant Burgard was establishing the battalion post
of command at daybreak, when he suddenly discovered a party of the enemy placing machine guns so as to fire upon
the position from the flank. Firing a rifle to give the alarm, Lieutenant Burgard advanced toward the enemy, followed
by the battalion headquarters group, whom he led in a vigorous attack on the hostile force, killing seven and capturing
forty three of the enemy, six machine guns and two light machine rifles, with but one casualty among his own men."
He has now recovered his health to a considerable extent, owing to an excellent constitution, and is engaged in
business in Seattle, Washington. William Norman Burgard, the younger son, was a first lieutenant of Company C,
Three Hundred and Sixty fourth Regiment, Ninety first Division, under General Pershing, and while participating
in the terrific fighting in the Argonne Forest he was gassed and is still suffering from the effects of poison.
He married Miss Ruth Shull of Portland, who had formerly been a resident of Minnesota.
In his political views John H. Burgard is a republican, active in the ranks of the party and a stalwart supporter
of its principles and candidates. He served as a member of the city council from 1910 until 1912, resigning in
the latter year to accept the appointment of member of public docks commission, which position he still retains.
In 1918 he was appointed United States wool administrator for the northwest zone, resigning that position in the
following year, and in 1919 he was made a member of the State Soldiers and Sailors Commission. He likewise served
as commissioner from Oregon to the Pan-American Exposition at Buffalo, New York, in 1901 and has been a member
of many other public and civic committees from time to time, rendering notably effective public service in every
position to which he has been called. He has served as president of the board of trustees of the Patton Home for
the Friendless, an old people's home, for seventeen years. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in
the First Methodist Episcopal church and fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order, in whicn he is prominent,
having attained the thirty second degree in the Consistory and also belonging to the Commandery and Shrine, and
he is likewise a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks He is an earnest and active member of the Chamber
of Commerce, heartily cooperating in its plans and projects for the extension of the trade relations of the city;
is a life member of the Press Club and one of the original members of the Multnomah Amateur Athletic Club, and
he also belongs to the Arlington Club and the Waverly Country Club. A constructive policy has been followed by
Mr. Burgard throughout his life. In his business career he has been a persistent, resolute and energetic worker,
keeping his hand steadily upon the helm of his business and manifesting at all times strong executive power. Along
the path of opportunity open to all he has reached the goal of notable success, his progress being due to the fact
that he has recognized and utilized opportunities which others have passed heedlessly by. His life is an exemplary
one in all respects and he has ever supported those interests which are calculated to benefit humanity, while his
own personal worth is deserving of high commendation.
From:
History of Oregon Illistrated
Vol. 3
BY: Charles H. Carney
The Pioneer Historical Publishing Company
Chicago - Portland 1922
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