Clark, Robert Carlton, Ph.D. "History of the Willamette Valley Oregon." Vol. 3. Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company, 1927. p. 264. R. A. BABB An enterprising merchant, R. A. Babb has promoted commercial activity in Eugene and typifies the progressive spirit of the west. He was born in San Diego, California, in 1877, and was a child of four when his parents, A. J. and Alary J. (Mathews) Babb, came to Lane county, Oregon. His father passed away in 1901 and the mother is also deceased. To their union were born twelve children and those who live in Eugene are: Alice, the wife of L. 0. Beckwith; Varian, who was united in marriage to Amos Wilkins; Mrs. Mabel Selover; and R. A. The last named received a public school education and afterward became a buyer and shipper of fruit. He was employed for some time in a cannery and in 1900 became connected with the Griffin Hardware Company of Eugene. He worked for the firm for about fifteen years and then purchased an interest in the business, which was conducted under the style of the Griffin & Babb Hardware Company for about three years. In March, 1918, he organized the R. A. Babb Hardware Company, of which he has since been president, and now has the largest establishment of the kind in Oregon with the exception of those in Portland. He first had a floor space of twenty-two hundred square feet and his present store at No. 771 Willamette street is fifty-five by one hundred and fourteen feet in dimensions. Mr. Babb also owns a warehouse, fifty by one hundred and ten feet, located on West Seventh street, and another, which is thirty-five by one hundred and ten feet in extent and has a spur connection with the Southern Pacific Railroad. He handles paint sporting goods and mill supplies, in addition to a complete line of hardware, and also does a large jobbing business in Winchester arms and ammunition, shipping two carloads per year. He has the agency for western Oregon and the nearest jobber is at Baker. He started with one assistant and now has fifteen employes. He sells to both the wholesale and retail trades and has one traveling representative. Mr. Babb has a highly specialized knowledge of the lines which he handles and the rapid growth of the business denotes his administrative power and unerring judgment. In 1904 Mr. Babb was married in Eugene to Miss Lola Faust, a native of Brownsville, Oregon, and they have become the parents of a son, Beldon, who was born in Eugene and is associated with his father in business. The last named is a member of the Eugene Chamber of Commerce and his fraternal affiliations are with the Knights of Pythias and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. He has converted his opportunities into tangible assets and in winning prosperity has also gained the respect, confidence and good will of his fellowmen, for the rules which govern his life are those which constitute the basis of all honorable and desirable prosperity. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in February 2012 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.