Carey, Charles Henry. "History of Oregon." Vol. 3. Chicago-Portland: Pioneer Historical Pub. Co., 1922. p. 298. HON. CHARLES W. NOTTINGHAM To the energetic nature and strong mentality of such men as Hon. Charles W. Nottingham are due the development and ever increasing prosperity of the northwest. His career has been one of activity and usefulness and In every sphere of life in which he has acted, whether as legislator or as the directing head of important business interests, he has left an indelible impress through his ability and his tireless energy which never stops short of the attainment of its purpose. Coming to this state in 1881 he has witnessed much of its marvelous growth and development and has borne his full share in the work of general improvement. For thirty-six years he has been engaged in business in Portland and as president of Nottingham & Company Inc., dealers In building material, he is controlling important and extensive interests. Mr. Nottingham is a native of Illinois. He was born near Pleasant Plains, June 29, 1848 and is a son of Jonathan and Hanna (Smith) Nottingham who removed from New Jersey to Illinois, settling on a farm in the vicinity of Pleasant Plains. There the son attended district school, subsequently pursuing a course of study at McKendree College of Lebanon, Illinois. He then took up the occupation of farming which he continued to follow until 1881, when he came to Oregon and subsequently engaged in the manufacture of lime on Puget Sound, Washington. In 1885 he entered mercantile circles of Portland, engaging in the sale of building material and from a small beginning the business has steadily grown from year to year until it has reached extensive and profitable proportions. It is now incorporated as Nottingham & Company with Charles W. Nottingham as the president and the firm is engaged in the sale of lime, cement, plaster, shingles, brick, hay, grain and teed. For thirty-six years Mr. Nottingham has been engaged in this line of activity and in his business affairs has made steady progress, his capable management and indefatigable industry constituting the basis upon which he has builded his prosperity. His powers of organization and his executive force have enabled him to develop a business of extensive proportions and his record is not only written in terms of success but also in terms of enterprise, energy and perseverance. At Pleasant Plains, Illinois, about 1880, Mr. Nottingham was united in marriage to Miss Georgia Pallett, a daughter of the Rev. William Pallett who was a minister of the Methodist church, of which the family are faithful adherents, and to this union five children have been born: Harry, who married Zoe Cutting and who is now serving as deputy sheriff, his home being in Wallowa county, Oregon; Irving, who married Emila Seaholm of Portland, and who resides in Portland; Elnora, the wife of James R. Forden of Hood River; Ethel, who married Nathan Fullerton of Roseburg; and Jessie Ray, who since 1918 has been connected with Red Cross work in France, having charge of two large clothing depots. In his political views Mr. Nottingham is a republican and he has been prominent and active in public affairs, his influence ever being on the side of truth and justice, progress and improvement. His fellow citizens, appreciating Ms worth and ability, called him to public office and for two terms of two years each he served as state representative. So excellent a record did he make in that connection that he was elected to represent his district in the state senate, of which he was an able member for eight years, giving his stalwart support to many measures which found their way to the statute books of the state and have proven of great value to the commonwealth. During his official career there were many stormy sessions in the legislature and the fight over the consolidation of city and county offices was especially bitter. Oregon has long been one of the leading states in the Union as regards political reforms and many of the laws enacted during Mr. Nottingham's service as a legislator have proven so beneficial that they have been set up as models for other states. It was during his public service that the people of Oregon took measures to free themselves of the political bosses who had long controlled legislatures and corrupted the judiciary. The initiative and referendum, the direct nomination of candidates for office by registered voters and many other reform measures were initiated at this time and la this important legislation Mr. Nottingham bore a most conspicuous and helpful part, his efforts proving most beneficial and resultant. His is indeed a most creditable official record and one over which there falls no shadow of wrong nor suspicion of evil, being a complete refutation of the claim that all men have their price and that no man can engage in public life for a series of years and retire with an unsullied reputation. During the war with Germany he was active in promoting the various Liberty Loan campaigns, doing everything in his power to aid the government in its time of need. He is accounted one of the substantial and progressive business men of Portland and the secret of his success lies in the tact that he has never been afraid of earnest labor and that his diligence and close application have ever been supplemented by unquestioned integrity and reliability. He stands for high Ideals, yet utilizes practical methods in their attainment and at all times his work has been a source of benefit to the state. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in October 2007 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.