Gaston, Joseph.  "Portland, Oregon, Its History and Builders."  Vol. 2.  Chicago
- Portland: S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911. p. 500.
 
ADOLPH F. VELGUTH

     senior member of the firm of Velguth & Pierce, designers, architects and
builders, with offices at No. 225 Union avenue, North, has been intimately
associated with the building operations of Portland since his arrival in this
city in 1889. His work, too, of high character and of standard excellence, has
been a credit to the city and a feature in its substantial improvement Moreover
his business methods commend him to the confidence and support of the general
public, for in his entire industrial career there is naught that savors of
dishonor.
     A native of Wisconsin, Mr. Velguth was born in Milwaukee, September 30,
1865, a son of Adolph F. and Maria (Kirchner) Velguth. His father, who was born
in Germany, came to America at the age of seventeen years, settling in
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and in time became a contractor and builder. At the
outbreak of the Civil war, however, he joined Siegel's famous command of German
soldiers÷the Fourth Missouri Cavalrymen--and served in the Union army throughout
the period of hostilities, being one of only eighteen men of his company who
lived to return home. The command saw much hard service, participating in many
of the most hotly contested battles of the war. Because of his gallantry and the
bravery which he displayed in spiking the enemies' guns under heavy fire Mr.
Velguth was accorded special distinction. He was fortunate in that he was never
injured and with the corporal's rank he returned to his own home. After again
reaching Milwaukee he married Miss Maria Kirchner, also a native of Germany, who
came with her parents to America when thirteen years of age and is now a
resident of Portland. They removed to this city in 1891, about two years after
the arrival of their son, Adolph, and here the father passed away at the age of
fifty-eight years.
     Mr. Velguth of this review was reared in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and attended
the grammar and German parochial schools of that city. He also learned the
trades of a carpenter, cabinet-maker, millwright and pattern maker there,
gaining broad and practical experience in those lines. He was married in that
city in 1889 to Miss Theresa J. Winneman, who was at that time a resident of
Milwaukee but was born at West Bend, Wisconsin. Her father, Antone Winneman, was
a native of Germany, who came to America in the '40s. He was also numbered among
the California Argonauts of 1849, going to the mining regions of that state by
way of the Isthmus of Panama. From California he afterward returned to Germany,
but subsequently again came to the United States and settled on a farm near West
Bend, Wisconsin. Following his retirement from agricultural pursuits he removed
to Milwaukee where his death occurred.
     Immediately following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Velguth started for
Portland, where they have since made their home. He entered into partnership
with N. Pierce, in organizing the firm of Velguth & Pierce, designers and
builders, operating largely on the east side. They have erected many fine
dwellings and apartment buildings, making their own designs, and as architects
and builders have gained a position of distinction here. Mr. Pierce has charge
of the architectural and office department, while Mr. Velguth superintends the
outside work. They are now accorded an extensive patronage, the gradual growth
of their business bringing them to their present enviable position in building
circles.
     Mr. Velguth holds membership with the United Artisans Lodge No. 2, of
Portland, and for several years has been Master Artisan. He also belongs to St.
Mary's Catholic church and is interested in all that pertains to the material,
social and intellectual progress of the community. In the home of him and his
wife have been bom three children. George M. was born in January, 1890, and is
now employed in the railroad office of the Oregon Railroad & Navigation Company
of Portland. Mary J. died in infancy. Floretta C., born in 1894, is a graduate
of St. Mary's school of Portland and is now attending St. Mary's Academy. She is
a very accomplished young lady and although now only sixteen years of age, is
regarded as one of Portland's most talented pianists. She is also an artist of
superior ability and some of the pencil sketches that she made when but ten
years of age would do credit to a much older student of art. She probably
inherits this talent from her mother, who manifests superior skill in oil
painting, while the musical talent doubtless comes from the Velguth family which
has numbered several musicians.
     Mr. Velguth is the president of the Catholic Young Men's Club, of which
mention is made in the historical part of this volume. He and Father William A.
Daly of St. Mary's church were largely instrumental in organizing this club, and
the fine library belonging to the dub was made possible through work done by his
son, George M. Velguth, and a companion, Walter M. Logus, who when mere school
boys organized what was called the Columbia Library Association, composed of
boys who would pay in ten cents a month, the money to be used in purchasing
books. This organization was maintained for several years until the members, no
longer boys, turned over their books to the Catholic Young Men's Club, the
volumes being valued at about five hundred dollars. This constituted the
beginning of what is now the library of the dub. The family are prominent in the
Catholic circles of the city and have done much to further the interests of the
church in the various departments of its work.

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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in January 2008 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.