Hines, H. K. "An Illustrated History of the State of Oregon." Chicago: Lewis
Pub. Co. 1893.
 
DAVID MONNASTES

     a widely known and influential citizen of Portland, Oregon, came to the
State in 1852. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on July 25, 1820. His father,
David S. Monnastes, was a native of England and in the employ of the Hudson's
Bay Company in St. Louis. He married in that city, Miss Philistia Kahne, a
native of that place. They had fourteen children, of whom our subject is the
sole survivor.
   He attended the French schools in his native city, where he later learned the
blacksmith and machinist's trade, at which he worked for six years. In 1852 be
started on his journey for Oregon, leaving St. Joseph on April 4, he began his
journey alone, but joined in with others on the way. He had four yoke of oxen
and a wagon, in which he carried his provisions, gun and other necessaries. The
cholera was epidemic that year, but he escaped it; and the Indians were
plentiful, but they were friendly. His oxen gave out one by one, so that long
before he reached the coast, he had abandoned his wagon and with his gun and
what he could carry, he came on foot to the Dalles, thence to Portland he
journeyed on a flat-boat. On arriving he had supper, and when he asked the
price, was told that it was four bits. He had only two, which he gave, saying it
was all he had, but would pay the balance when he got it.
     In the morning he applied to Northrop & Summers to be trusted for a pound
of powder, four pounds of shot and a box of G. D. caps. They took his word for
it, and he found his way out to Guiles' lake, where he killed during the day
sixteen wild ducks, most of them Mallards. When he returned with his ducks, a
restaurant man, named Gordon, hailed him and asked the price. He said, "What
will you give me?" He replied a dollar a pair. He accepted the offer, and
received eight dollars, with which he paid his powder and shot bill and his
board. The restaurant man bargained for a dollar a pair for all he could bring
in, and the following day he killed and packed in thirty-six ducks, for which he
received $18. He kept on at the business all winter, making the merchants, who
trusted him, his bankers, and on March 27, he had laid up $1,165.
     On April 1, 1863, he purchased blacksmith's tools and some machinery, and
opened a shop on First street, between Morrison and Yamhill streets. He was
associated with Captain James Trumboll a machinist, and they conducted business
as partners for a year, when  H. W. Davis, a molder, was taken into the firm,
the firm name becoming Trumbull, Monnastes & Davis; and they conducted a foundry
and machine shop for another year. Then Mr. Trumbull withdrew, and Mr. Monnastes
and Davis continued the business successfully until 1866, when Mr. Davis
withdrew, and Mr. Monnastes continued alone until 1873, doing a large business,
and employing from thirty-five to forty-five men.
     The fire of 1873 burned the business out; when Mr. Monnastes turned his
attention to the purchase and improvement of city property, in which he has
since been engaged. He has built a valuable block on First street, between
Morrison and Yamhill streets, on the west side of First street, and has built
another on the corner of Jefferson and First streets. He has also built himself
a good, substantial residence, where he resides with his family, at No.
303 Third street.
     He is in politics a Republican, and was twice elected by his party to the
City Council. He was one of the first organizers of the Volunteer Fire Company
of the city, which dates back to 1858. He borrowed an old engine, took it to his
shop and fitted it up, and continued with the Volunteer Fire Company of the
city, first with No. 1, then with No. 2 and lastly with No. 4, until the paid
department was organized. He had been at different times its president and
treasurer, and is now an honored member of the Volunteer Exempt Firemen's
Society of the city, which has in its membership the solid representative men of
the city of the early time. He is a subscribing member of the Young Men's
Christian Association, and is a life member of the Library Association. He is
deeply interested in the welfare of his favorite city, and by his many admirable
traits of character has excited the respect and esteem of his fellow-citizens.

*******************

Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in October 2009 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.