Carey, Charles Henry. "History of Oregon." Vol. 3. Chicago and Portland: Pioneer Historical Publishing Co., 1922. p. 48.
ALFRED A. AYA
Alfred A. Aya, is vice president and general manager of the Peninsula Industrial Company, a holding company for the Swift interests in North Portland. He makes his home in the city of Portland and there is perhaps no man in Oregon who is better informed concerning the resources and possibilities of the state, or has contributed in more direct measures to Oregon's advancement in this connection. He was born in Albert Lea, Minnesota, June 15, 1879, and is a son of Louis Aya, who was born in Bavaria, and was brought to the United States by his parents in infancy, the family home being established in Fountain City, Wisconsin, while later a removal was made to Minnesota. Louis Aya was married to Miss Amelia Bronnenkant and in the year 1889 he removed to the northwest, settling in Eugene, Oregon, where he passed away in 1914.
Alfred A. obtained his early education in the schools of Winona, Minnesota, and afterward attended a private school in Eugene, Oregon. He then sought to make the practice of law his life work and was graduated in 1903 from the law department of the University of Oregon with the LL. B. degree. This same year he was admitted to the bar, beginning the practice of law in the office of Cicero M. Idleman, In Portland, opening his own office in Portland in 1905, but after devoting six years to active practice he withdrew in 1909, having become connected with industries which required his full time. In 1905 he became interested in irrigation and other development work in central Oregon and is now vice president and general manager of the Peninsula Industrial Company, president of the Peninsula Drainage Districts Numbers 1 and 2, director in the Kenton Traction Company and Peninsula Terminal Company, and manager of the Kenwood Land Company, all being largely Swift Interests in North Portland. His business qualifications and abilities are pronounced. He loses sight of no detail, is a good organizer, is very thorough, original and resourceful. There are few men who have equal knowledge concerning the resources and possibilities of Oregon. He has made a careful and thorough study of the state's various industrial activities and has acquired a fund of information of which he has made good use in bringing to Oregon acme of its most important industries. He has likewise been instrumental in keeping before the public the need of the stale for more industries and a greater population, that its growth and development may be continuously promoted. Mr. Aya is the president and general manager of the La Pine (Oregon) Townsite Company. Mr. Aya founded this town, which is situated in central Oregon, in 1910. At that time it was one hundred and twenty-five miles from a railroad. From 1909 to the fall of 1918, when he returned to Portland, he devoted practically all of his time to the development of that section of the state and recognizing the need of bringing more settlers to Oregon it was then that he became instrumental in organizing the State Chamber of Commerce to take up the work. He has been a most important factor in the Portland Chamber of Commerce, as well as in the State Chamber, of which he is a director. He was one of the first to realize the importance of encouraging and building up tourist travel through Oregon. It is largely through his efforts that so much progress has been made along this line. His success as a factor in Oregon's upbuilding is attributable to his thorough knowledge of the state, for he has at all times been a conscientious student and is able to impart his fund of information in a way that commands attention and interest. He is a clear, logical and convincing speaker and at various times he has written for different publications. He seems to see at a glance what it takes most men a long time to comprehend and he can picture his thought and observations on paper in a clear and logical manner.
On the 22nd of June, 1914, in Portland, Mr. Aya was married to Miss Grace M. Honeyman, a daughter of Thomas D. Honeyman, president of the Honeyman Hardware Company and they have become parents of two children: Barbra, born April 9, 1915; and Roderick Honeyman, born September 17, 1916. Mr. Aya is a stalwart republican in his political views and his religious faith is that of the Catholic church. He belongs to the Knight of Columbus and has membership in the Waverly Country Club, the Portland Ad Club, the Portland Press Club and the North Portland Manufacturers Club, of which he is president. He has been quite active in political circles and during the World war took a most helpful part in all war work. His splendid qualities of manhood and citizenship have won him admiration and high regard and everywhere he is spoken of in terms of confidence and respect.
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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in August 2011 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.