Carey, Charles Henry.  "History of Oregon." Vol. 2. Chicago-Portland: Pioneer
Historical Pub. Co., 1922.  p. 600-1.

SIDNEY J. MATCOVICH

One of the important manufacturing enterprises of Portland is the Coast Engine &
Machine Works of which Sidney J. Matcovich is the president. He is a thorough
mechanic and in the management of his business affairs is proving progressive,
energetic and capable, carrying forward to successful completion whatever he
undertakes. The story of his life is an interesting and inspiring one, showing
what can be attained through individual effort when industry is guided by
intelligence. Starting out in life with few of the advantages which come to the
great majority of youths, he has nevertheless made wise use of his time, his
talents and his opportunities and his success is entirely attributable to his
own efforts and labors.

Mr. Matcovich is one of Oregon's native sons and was born in the city where he
now resides on the 22d of December, 1886, the third in a family of six children.
His parents are Mathew and Christine (La Freo) Matcovich, the former born in
Dalmatia, Austria, September 14, 1856, while the latter was born on board a
vessel anchored in the harbor of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, August 22, 1860.
Previous to locating in Portland the father was a seafaring man, having
followed that calling from early youth in the eastern part of the Mediterranean
and visiting all parts of the globe in his occupation as a sailor. As a cabin
boy he landed at Philadelphia when but thirteen years of age. The mother is of
Spanish descent, her parents being identified with the theatrical business. As
members of a troupe of circus performers they traveled over Europe, Asia, South
America and all parts of the world and Mrs. Matcovich converses fluently in many
languages, having an inexhaustible fund of information, gained through her wide
travels. One of her most valued possessions is a commendatory letter from the
American minister at Rio de Janeiro, given to her as a young girl in recognition
of her heroic and self-sacrificing work in nursing Americans who were stricken
with yellow fever during an epidemic in that city. Mr. and Mrs. Matcovich came
to Portland from South America on the same vessel, the former being one of the
crew. This was his last voyage and two years later, in 1881, they were married
and have since resided in Portland. They are passing the sunset of life in a
comfortable home on Terwilliger boulevard, surrounded by their children and
grandchildren and enjoying the respect and esteem of all who have the honor of
their acquaintance.

In the public schools of his native city their son, Sidney J. Matcovich,
acquired his education, also attending night technical schools, where he pursued
postgraduate courses in mathematics and mechanical engineering. When fifteen
years of age he became an apprentice in the machine shop of Bell & Wildman,
where he worked ten hours a day, there remaining for three years, during which
period he learned the trade. When the machinery business was dull he ran a
stationary engine in a paving plant and his activities from this time forward
were varied and interesting. Being a young man of unusual mechanical skill and
possessing thorough technical knowledge, his services were eagerly sought by
large Industrial concerns engaged in the manufacture of machinery. For seven
years he was in the employ of the Willamette and Columbia River Towing Company
and he has been at the head of the mechanical departments of some of the largest
automobile and machinery equipment companies in Portland, Astoria and Hood
River. The turning point in his career came when Joseph Supple, a prominent boat
builder, who was acquainted with Mr. Matcovich's mechanical ability, offered him
his run-down machine shop on a fifty-fifty basis. Although at this time Mr.
Matcovich had no available funds, at the end of two years he was able to buy a
half interest in the establishment and in 1918 removed the shop to its present
location at the foot of East Taylor street. He then bought the remaining
interest in the business, which is now incorporated under the title of the
Coast Engine & Machine Works, of which he is the president. The firm
manufactures and designs its own gasoline drag-saws, hydraulic oil hoists and
dump bodies for automobile trucks and also designs and builds conveying
machinery for unloading ships, repairs and installs boilers and engines and in
fact everything in the line of heavy machinery. Under the capable management and
progressive methods employed by Mr. Matcovich the business is enjoying a steady
growth, its trade now extending all over the northwest and It is regarded as one
of the leading industrial concerns of the city. During the World war the plant
was devoted to government work, manufacturing machinery to be installed in the
boats which were then being constructed in the shipyards in this locality. Mr.
Matcovich is proving efficient, energetic and farsighted in the conduct of the
extensive business of which he is the head and under his management it has
steadily grown. He gives careful oversight to all phases of the work and is
constantly seeking to increase the efficiency of his plant, to improve in any
way possible the quality of the output and to extend the trade of the company to
new territory.

In Portland, on the 20th day of April, 1910, Mr. Matcovich was united in
marriage to Clara Olsen, a native of Denver, Colorado, and a daughter of Mrs.
Bertha Hansen, whose birth occurred in Norway. The two children of this union
are Helen and Berenice, aged respectively nine and five years. The family
resides at No. 792 Gantenbein avenue, Portland.

In his political views Mr. Matcovich is independent, casting his ballot
according to the dictates of his judgment and without regard to party
affiliation and his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the
English Lutheran church. He is an interested and active member of the Portland
Chamber of Commerce and the State Chamber of Commerce and fraternally is
identified with Portland Lodge, No. 142, B. P. O. E. Actuated at all points in
his career by a progressive spirit and firm determination, he has fought life's
battles unaided and has come off a victor in the strife. Honored and respected
by all, he occupies an enviable position in business circles of Portland, not
alone by reason of the success he has achieved but also owing to the
straightforward business policy which he has ever pursued.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in November 2006 by Jeffrey L. Elmer.
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.