Gaston, Joseph. "The Centennial History of Oregon, 1811-1912." Vol. 2. Chicago, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1912. p. 45. CARL DILSHEIMER The progress and development of any town is entirely dependent upon the energy and enterprise manifested by its business men, and in this respect Baker has been extremely fortunate as it numbers among the heads of its mercantile and industrial institutions many public-spirited and enterprising citizens, who have been most diligent in their efforts to advance the interests of the community. Among these must be numbered Carl Dilsheimer, who together with Max Weil owns an operates the largest department store in the city. He was born in Germany on the 29th of March, 1862, and is a son of Abraham and Ernestine (Halle) Dilsheimer, who passed their entire lives in the fatherland. They were the parents of eleven children, seven of whom became citizens of the United States and of these four are residents of the state of Oregon. One daughter, Mrs. Isaac Kaufman, is living in Portland; while two sons, Moses and Carl, our subject, and another daughter, Mrs. Max Weil, make their home in Baker. Carl Dilsheimer was given the advantages of a high-school education in his native land where he passed the first nineteen years of his life. When ready to begin his business career, however, he decided to come to America, believing that in the western portion of this country he would find better advantages and greater opportunities for advancement than were afforded in the congested countries of Europe. Therefore in 1881 he took passage for the United States with Portland, Oregon, as his destination. Although he knew very little about the mercantile business, and still less regarding the language and business customs of the United States, he possessed too much determination of purpose and confidence in his own powers to become discouraged. Soon after his arrival he obtained a clerkship in the store of his future father-in-law, Sam Lowengart, in East Portland. As he was an industrious and ambitious young man, he applied himself intelligently and earnestly to acquiring a comprehensive knowledge of the mercantile business and American commercial methods, his efforts in this direction meeting with well merited success. At the end of a year he severed his connection with Mr. Lowengart and coming to Baker took a clerkship in the store of Heilner & Ottenheimer. He remained in their service for six years, and during that period by his thrift and industry accumulated sufficient capital and knowledge of the business to feel warranted in starting an enterprise of his own. Together with his brother-in-law, Mr. Max Weil, he established a general store in 1887 that during the intervening years has developed into the largest department store in the city. They began in a small way, but they were both men of tireless energy and more than average business acumen, and by reason of their close attention and careful consideration of the needs of the community as well as their progressive methods have met with highly deserved success. In the development of their enterprise they have not only kept pace with the progress of the town, but have always managed to be in advance of it. They carry a large and well assorted line of merchandise the quality of which is fully commensurate with the price, and in the conduct of their business have adopted a policy that has won for them the confidence and esteem of those with whom they have transactions. Their store occupies sixteen thousand, five hundred feet of floor space and they employ on an average eighteen clerks. Mr. Dilsheimer has prospered during the twenty-five years of his connection with the commercial interests of Baker and is a heavy stockholder in the Baker Loan & Trust Company and the Copperfield Town Site Company, the latter corporation handling its own property only. On the 22d of August, 1892, Mr. Dilsheimer was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Lowengart, a native of Harrisburg, Oregon, and a daughter of Sam Lowengart, Mr. Dilsheimer's first employer in America, and his wife, whose maiden name was Fannie Barman. The parents are still living and now make their home in Portland. Fraternally Mr. Dilsheimer is affiliated with Lodge No. 338, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks of Baker and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is an enthusiastic member of the Baker Commercial Club, and gives his unqualified indorsement and cooperation to every progressive movement inaugurated by this organization. Ever since granted the right of franchise he has voted the republican ticket, but has never been connected with the official life of the municipality. Although Mr. Dilsheimer has a warm regard for the land of his birth, he has always been loyal to the United States and its institutions, and has had no occasion to regret the transference of his allegiance to the country in which he has prospered in his undertakings, which led him to become one of the leading business men and most substantial citizens of Baker county. Transcriber's additional notes: Oregon Death Index: Carl Dilsheimer; Baker Co; Sept. 8, 1912; Cert. # 2554 (This is a portion of text in this book with references to "Dilsheimer.") "An Illustrated History of Baker, Grant, Malheur and Harney Counties" Western Historical Publishing Co. Spokane, Washington; 1902; Page 215-216 The spring of 1897 was a disastrous one in Baker City. Early in April the weather turned off warm, rapidly melting the accumulated snow of a rather long winter. The residents along the banks of Powder river expected a flood, but it came so rapidly that they had not time to prepare for it. The ordinarily peaceful Powder river soon became a roaring torrent, rushing madly downward to the Snake, and bearing upon its bosom bridges, timber and debris of many kinds. On the 17th of April it overleaped its banks, causing much damage to city property. The roadbed of the Sumpter Valley Railroad, contiguous to the river, was completely washed out, entailing a loss of several thousand dollars. The railway necessarily discontinued operations and once again the stage was called into requisition. During the ensuing twenty-four hours every bridge on the river, within the city limits, was washed out, with one exception. When the Auburn avenue bridge went out not a little excitement was occasioned, for it was reported that a number of persons had gone down with it, and as a matter of fact several people did narrowly escape. On Tuesday, April 20th, the weather cooled, the river began to recede, and in due time it returned to its old channel, after having washed out acres of valuable real estate and done damage to the extent of several thousand dollars. An issue of the Bedrock Democrat, which appeared a few days after the river first overflowed, says: "The entire span of the river at the block bridge is filled with timbers and debris of every description and the main part of the river is running through a channel at the east of the bridge and circles over to the George Campbell residence. The water before coming to the bridge and near the rear of the Weil and DILSHEIMER residences, runs straight and is inclined to force its way through the grade of the west side of the bridge and on through the Jenkins property. If another rise of the river occurs this channel will be cut and the loss of the Weil and DILSHEIMER residences is certain, and perhaps the Jenkins place also. The only preventive is to clear the bridge of debris or take it out altogether." "All over the north part of the city the ravages of the angry torrent of a day or so ago are plainly to be seen and the sight causes an expression of sympathy for the people who have been the victims of the flood. The damage done will take a long time and the expenditure of much money to repair." ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in September 2005 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.