Gaston, Joseph.  "Portland, Oregon Its History and Builders."  Vol. 2. 
Chicago and Portland, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911. p. 263.
 
RODNEY L. GLISAN

     In the twentieth century, other things being equal, the men of substance
are the strongest forces in the progress of the world. This self-evident fact
finds exemplification in the life of Rodney L. Glisan, whose native powers and
talents developed and quickened by thorough educational training, have been
directed in the field of law and in the public service, wherein they have
constituted resultant and far-reaching factors. Held down by the need of
necessity, many a young man has not had opportunity for development save in the
effort made to meet daily needs. Unhampered by such a condition, Rodney L.
Glisan has found time and opportunity, aside from the practice of the law, to
devote to public interests, and has left the impress of his talents and
individuality upon the city charter of Portland and other municipal interests.
     Born in this city on the 3d of April, 1869, he is a son of Dr. Rodney and
Elizabeth R. (Couch) Glisan, the former a distinguished physician and surgeon
and the latter a daughter of Captain John H. Couch, one of the pioneer founders
of Portland. In the acquirement of an education he attended successively the
Bishop Scott Academy of Portland from 1880 until 1882; The Ecole Protestante of
Paris, France, in 1882-3; Hopkins Grammar School of New Haven, Connecticut, from
1883 until 1886; and Yale University from 1886 until 1890 the Bachelor of Arts
degree being conferred upon him within its classical walls in the latter year.
His preparation for a professional career was made in the law department of the
University of Oregon, in which he studied from 1890 until 192, winning the LL.
B. degree, and in the Columbia University law department of New York city, where
he studied in 1892-3, receiving the A. M. degree. He was admitted to practice as
a member of the Oregon bar in 1892 and has since followed his profession,
specializing largely in realty law and in the handling of  estates, being now in
charge of several. Moreover he is interested in various business enterprises
which are elements in the city's growth and progress as well as a source of
prosperity to individual stockholders.
     While his work has been continued in a field remote from the professional
services of his distinguished father, it has been none the less important and
effective. Portland has profited by his efforts in various directions. In 1900
he was elected a member of the common council of Portland, and in the following
year served as president of that body. During the mayoralty of George H.
Williams he was appointed a member of the executive board and served from 1903
until 1905. He served on the street committee of the council and executive
board, taking a keen interest in the subject of street paving, and visited
several cities on tours of inspection. In 1901 he was appointed by the state
legislature a member of the charter commission which formulated the charter now
in force in this city. In January, 1910, he was elected a member of the board of
trustees of the Portland Chamber of Commerce, in which he has for some years
held membership. His political allegiance has always been given to the
republican party.
     Mr. Glisan has always taken an active interest in local athletics and was a
member of the first football team of the Multnomah Amateur Athletic Club, and
has also served as president of that club. He has rowed in several association
regattas, was president of the Portland Rowing Club, and is now a life member of
both clubs. He has always contended that the Pacific coast offers an unrivaled
field of wonderful scenery and has for fifteen years spent the summer months in
mountain climbing and tramping along the mountain ranges and coast. He has
tramped the Oregon and California coast line from the Columbia river to the bay
at San Francisco, has ascended nearly all of the prominent snow peaks on the
coast, and is a member of the Mazamas, the Sierra Club and the Canadian Alpine
Club, mountain-climbing associations. The leading social organizations of
Portland also claim him as a member, including the Arlington Club, the Waverly
Golf Club and the Portland Hunt Club.


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