Lockley, Fred.  "History of the Columbia River Valley, From The Dalles to the
Sea." Vol. 2.  S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1928.  p. 254.
 
JAMES S. MENEFEE

     A resourceful business man of enterprising spirit, James S. Menefee has
been identified with many lines of activity, becoming well known in the states
of Oregon and Washington, and is now living retired in Portland, enjoying the
fruits of a well spent life. A native of Missouri, he was born August 22, 1856,
and at the age of eight years went to California with his parents, James M. and
Sarah A. (Hardesty) Menefee, who settled in Susanville and after one winter went
to Santa Rosa. The father was a dealer in paint and oil and always confined his
efforts to that line of merchandising. In 1891 he opened a store in Portland and
soon established a large trade, continuing in business here until his death,
which resulted from a street car accident in 1903.
     James B. Menefee attended the public schools of Santa Rosa and when a young
man of twenty-one came to Oregon, locating at The Dalles in 1877. For two years
he was identified with the print business and during the early days worked on a
steamboat on the upper Columbia. The Indians were on the warpath at that time
and he had many thrilling experiences. Mr. Menefee lived in many parts of
eastern Oregon and was employed in various capacities. In 1891 he located in
Portland and for ten years was a dealer in paints and oil, conducting the
business alone. Afterward he became connected with the W. P. Fuller Company and
his ability and devotion to their interests won him rapid advancement. He was
sent to Washington and established a branch in Tacoma, where he spent twenty-two
years, building up a large business for the corporation in that city. Mr.
Menefee also opened the branch in Yakima, Washington, but did not remain there,
and was one of the company's most efficient and successful managers. In 1923 he
retired from business and has since made his home in Portland.
     It was in 1881 that Mr. Menefee married Miss Ada Kinney, a daughter of
Andrew and Katherine (Davis) Kinney, who lived near Newberg, in Yamhill county.
They were pioneer settlers of that district and Mr. Kinney was prominently
identified with public affairs during the formative period in Oregon's history.
While living in Washington, Mr. Menefee became a member of the Tacoma Lodge of
Elks and also joined the blue lodge of Masons in that city. He is affiliated
with Ivanhoe Commandery, K. T., of Tacoma, also with the Scottish Rite bodies in
that city, and is a Noble of Afifi Temple of the Mystic Shrine. Mr. Menefee
takes a keen interest in the activities of the order and shapes his conduct by
its beneficent teachings. He is deeply attached to Oregon and considers Portland
an ideal place of residence. He has been a picturesque career, replete with
interesting adventures, and his genuine worth has established him high in public
regard.

 
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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in June 2010 by Diana Smith. Submitter has
no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.