Hines, H. K. "An Illustrated History of the State of Oregon." Chicago: Lewis
Pub. Co. 1893.  p. 1034.
 
BERNARD GOLDSMITH

     a money-loaner and speculator and one of the successful business men of
Portland, Oregon, was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1832, his ancestry having
long been resident of that locality.  His father was a mechanic by trade, but
for many years was engaged in mercantile pursuits.
     At the age of fourteen Bernard entered his father's store and served an
apprenticeship to the mercantile business.  In 1848, accompanied by his brother
Solomon, he emigrated to America, and after landing in New York city was
employed as clerk there until the fall of 1849.  At that time, joining the tide
of emigration, he started for California, via the Isthmus route, landing in San
Francisco in January, 1850.  He then went to Sacramento and Marysville, where he
clerked for a time.  We next find him on the north fork of the Feather river,
where he opened a trading post and remained one year, at the end of which time
he sold out, went to Sonoma, and there conducted a similar store until the
spring of 1852.  From that time until 1854 he had a jewelry store in San
Francisco.  In 1854 he opened a general merchandise store at Crescent City,
northern California, and in 1855 a branch store in Rogue river valley, both of
which he continued until 1858, when he centered his interests in the valley and
there remained until 1860.  In 1860 he came to Portland and opened a jewelry
store and assay office and traded in gold dust.  This business he carried on
until 1867, when, in partnership with his brothers, Louis and Max, he became
interested in an extensive wholesale dry-goods establishment in Portland.  This
business was conducted chiefly by his brothers, while he gave his attention to
the stock business, owning 7,000 acres of land in Linn county and 3,000 acres in
Benton county, which was well-stocked with cattle.  He also owned a large band
of cattle in eastern Oregon, about 8,000 head in all.  He was engaged in the
stock business seven years.
     In 1871-72 Mr. Goldsmith was one of the syndicate to organize the
Willamette Falls, Canal & Lock Company, of which he was president.  He directed
the building of the locks at Oregon City.  He was also president of the
Willamette Falls, Canal, Lock & Transportation Company, which was incorporated
in 1872, and which operated a line of steamers from the head of navigation on
the Willamette river to Astoria.  They built the steamers, Governor Grover,
Willamette Chief, Champion, Beaver, and barge Columbia Chief.  This was the
first large freight bare used for river traffic, it having a carrying capacity
of 800 tons of wheat.  Mr. Goldsmith retired from this company in 1876, and in
1878 from the mercantile business.  In 1880 he engaged in speculation and
money-loaning, which he has continued to the present time.
      He was married in San Francisco, in 1863, to Miss Emma Frohman, a native
of Europe, and to their Union has been added six children, whose names are as
follows:  James S., Louis J., Milton M., Alice H., May E. and Alfred S.
     Mr. Goldsmith was elected Mayor of Portland in 1870 and served one term.
He was elected Chairman of the Democratic State Central Committee in 1886, and
again in 1890, being the present incumbent.  He was caucus nominee for United
States Senator at the session held in January, 1892.  Mr. Goldsmith owns
valuable property in Portland.  As a business man and citizen he is held in high
esteem by all who know him.

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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in January 2007 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.