Gaston, Joseph. "Portland, Oregon Its History and Builders." Vol. 3. Chicago and Portland, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911. p. 421. JOHN HENRY NOLTA Among the respected citizens and property owners of Portland is John Henry Nolta, a native of Jennings county, Indiana, who was born August 6, 1861. He is a son of Henry and Maria (Shermier) Nolta, both of German descent. The father engaged in farming for many years and attained the success that is usually the result of industry, economy and perseverance, traits which are so prominent in the German character. He died in 1894, and the mother passed away in 1874. John Henry Nolta lived upon the farm until he was seventeen years of age, attending school in the winter and assisting his father during the other seasons of the year. In 1878 he removed to Wilton Junction, Iowa, where he took up his residence with an uncle, continuing there for one year. At the end of that time, feeling the impulse for independence which is the starting point in the career of so many young men, he went to Moline. Illinois, rented a farm and began for himself. After fanning independently for a year he returned to Moline, where he engaged as a coachman. After a few years he went east and spent one year traveling and observing the people and the country. About 1887 Mr. Nolta returned west as far as Omaha, where he was married, and eight months later, having heard glowing reports of the Pacific coast region, his eyes first alighted upon Portland. At this time his finances were low as is shown by the fact that his total cash amounted when he entered Portland to the sum of fifteen cents. However, he was not discouraged and, taking advantage of the first opportunity that presented, began working upon a farm and later in blowing stumps out of the right of way for the St. Johns Electric Railroad. After this undertaking was completed he came to Portland and entered the employ of the Portland Flouring Mills, making his home with Mathew Patton, one of the pioneers of Oregon. By diligence and economy he gradually became independent financially and purchased the property where he now resides in 1890. In 1904 he bought one hundred acres of farm land near Orchards, Washington, and resided there for nineteen months, but returned to Portland the following year and resumed his residence at his old home in North Albina, For a number of years he has been acquiring real estate and is the owner of much valuable property in that immediate locality. On the 11th of April, 1888, Mr. Nolta was married to Miss Sarah A. Edwards, of Omaha, a daughter of Richard and Anna Edwards, whose ancestors came from England. The family residence is at No. 1165 Haight street and is one of the handsomest of the many fine modern homes of Piedmont. Mrs. Nolta is an active member of the Patton Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Nolta is identified with a number of fraternal organizations, among which are the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Woodmen of the World, the Women of Woodcraft and also of the Degree camp of the Woodmen of the World. Motoring and travel are his chief source of recreation. In his political views he is a republican but at local elections votes for the man whom he believes best qualified for office regardless of party ties. He is a self-made man in the full sense of the word and is proud of it. He has a deep attachment for his chosen home and by precept and example is a daily inculcation of public spirit and true local patriotism. Mr. Nolta is a believer in the future of North Albina and is identified with all enterprises calculated to advance the interests of that part of the state. He has been an earnest supporter of the Broadway bridge project and has probably done more than any one man to secure this accommodation for east side residents. He was especially active in securing paving for Killingsworth avenue, which was on completion the longest paved street in Portland. He was also largely instrumental in promoting the Jefferson high school, which is the finest building of its kind on the Pacific coast and one of the finest in the United States. To him is due much credit for the extension of the street car lines to the Union Stock Yards and he secured the land and money for the development of Peninsular park. Mr. Nolta was also one of the active promoters of the Peninsular rose carnival and served as its manager for two years and also organized and served as manager of the Peninsular band for two and a half years. Active in charities, he has been especially interested in supplying flowers for the patients of the various hospitals on the east side. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in December 2008 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.