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Watson Brown Eddy is one of the prominent men of Clackamas county and a representative of one of its best and
most progressive business interests. Since 1908 Mr. Eddy has resided in Oregon, coming to this state from Salamanca,
New York, where he had successfully conducted a mercantile business for ten years. He was a native of New York,
born in Salamanca in 1866, a son of James H. and Elvisa (Brown) Eddy who were descendants of a fine old family.
The first member of the Eddy family to make his home in America arrived in this country as early as 1630 and since
that time the name of Eddy has been distinguished in American history. The Eddys settled in New York state and
soon became one of the prominent families of that state. They have shown themselves to be one hundred per cent
Americans and in the records of every war in which this country has been engaged may be found the name of at least
one member of the family who was a volunteer soldier, rendering valiant service in the Revolutionary war, the War
of 1812 and the Civil war.
The early boyhood of Mr. Eddy was spent on a farm, as his father was one of the successful and progressive farmers
of the vicinity in which he resided. The education received by Mr. Eddy was obtained in the schools of Salamanca
and later he attended the Chambers Institute. He was very ambitious for professional training but this desire was
never realized, for on the death of his father it was necessary for him to care for his mother and sisters. Laying
his hopes aside he set out with grim determination to succeed in the business world and is now enjoying the reward
of his energy and fidelity. He first secured employment with a railroad, in the service of which he remained for
five years. Believing that more opportunities were open in the mercantile field he started in that line of business
in Salamanca and for ten years he met with the best of success in the venture. In 1908 he decided to go west and
settle on the Pacific coast, being favorably impressed with the wonderful climatic conditions and the general progressiveness
and activity in that section of the country. In looking about for a desirable location he was attracted to Oregon
City and decided to make it his home. He purchased the business which he is still conducting and which he has enlarged
and improved until it now ranks as one of the most flourishing stores in the Willamette valley. This store is not
a general store but carries a line of dry goods, furnishings and shoes. Always believing that quality and service
are the best advertisements Mr. Eddy has striven to give his customers only the best and has also kept his stock
at a reasonable price.
In 1888 Mr. Eddy was united in marriage to Miss Ella Stratton, a daughter of Aionza S. Stratton of Salamanca, New
York. One son has been born to this union, Ralph J., who is engaged in the photographic business in Oregon City
and is one of the city's progressive young business men.
Since coming to Oregon Mr. Eddy has taken but little interest in politics save as an intelligent voter, although
previous to his residence in this state he was quite active in the political field. He has always been and is still,
a firm supporter of the republican party. During his residence in New York state he held the offices of postmaster,
commissioner of the highways and mayor of Salamanca. In each of these positions of public service he won the commendation
of his fellow citizens, whom he served to the best of his ability. Fraternally Mr. Eddy is a. Mason, in which organization
he takes much interest. By his own diligence and industry Mr. Eddy has risen to his present position and as a self
made man he has reached one of the highest rungs on the ladder of success.
From:
History of Oregon Illistrated
Vol. 3
BY: Charles H. Carney
The Pioneer Historical Publishing Company
Chicago - Portland 1922
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