"Portrait and Biographical Record of Portland and Vicinity, Oregon." Authors: "a
compilation of this work....by a number of writers".  Chapman Publishing Co;
Chicago, 1903. p. 788.
 
SETH L. POPE

     The Pope family was first represented in America by three brothers,Thomas,
Luen and Seth, who emigrated from their native home, Plymouth, England, to
Plymouth, Mass., in 1622. Of these brothers, Thomas Pope is the ancestor from
whom the subject of this sketch springs. Luen was killed by the Indians in
Maine, leaving no family; and Seth died at sea, likewise leaving no descendants.
From Thomas the direct line of descent is through Seth and Colonel Lemuel, both
of whom were prominent in the Indian wars during the early colonial period;
Seth, Yet Seth, Seth and Seth Luen. The paternal great-grandfather, Seth Pope,
was a member of the general court (or legislature) of Massachusetts Bay Colony,
and fought at the battle of Bunker Hill. At the same time his son, Yet Seth, was
a lieutenant in a company of Massachusetts militiamen stationed at Charlestown
bridge. The latter was a house joiner and farmer by occupation, and died in
Fairhaven, Mass., in 1820. His father was a seafaring man, as well as a farmer.
     Seth Pope, the father of Seth L. Pope, was born in Fairhaven, Mass.,
October 6, 1803, and, like many of his ancestors, devoted much of his life to
the sea. A valued possession of his son, Seth L., are the log books of this
seasoned mariner, who not only became familiar with the chief waterways of the
world, but in time became one of the pioneer settlers anti prominent men of the
territory of Oregon. For many years he was engaged in the European trade. In
1850 he rounded Cape Horn on a trip to San Francisco in his own brig, the
Nonpareil, arriving at his destination April 22, 1850, having started on his
journey January 10 of the same year.  In the port of San Francisco he cleared
for the Columbia river, where he intended to secure a cargo of lumber; but the
locality pleased him so well that he remained and prepared to make his home at
St. Helens. He erected the first frame house in the town October 12, 1850, and
this became his headquarters for his mercantile business and an office for his
brig, which he kept in service until 1854. After that he conducted the store
which he had established until 1857, when he repaired to a farm in the country,
upon which he lived until taking up his residence with his son in Portland. Here
he died July 23, 1886, a man highly respected as possessing many of the traits
characteristic of the best class of the early pioneers of the northwest. He was
a member of the Methodist Church, and in politics was a Republican. In his young
manhood he married Mary Henwood, a native of England, the ceremony being
performed in the Wappinham Church, Isle of Wight. Together they came to
Fairhaven, Mass., where Mrs. Pope died July 5, 1841. She was a daughter of
Nicholas Henwood, who was born in Ireland, became a lieutenant in the British
army, and after his return from a long period of colonial service engaged in the
hotel business at Cowes, Isle of Wight. Two children were born to Seth Pope and
his wife. Seth Luen Pope is the eldest; William Henwood, a farmer residing near
Clackamas, is ex-auditor of Multnomah county. 
     Seth Luen Pope was born in Fairhaven, Mass., March 26, 1837, and was
educated at Woodbury Cottage School and at a private school. Following the
example of his forefathers, he put to sea at the age of fourteen, and in 1851
engaged in the coasting trade. Three years later, accompanied by his brother, he
shipped before the mast from Boston harbor on the Eagle Wing, bound for San
Francisco, by way of Cape Horn, where he arrived April 1, 1854. Thence he sailed
on the brig Clarendon for Oregon, arriving at St. Helens May 5, 1854, and there
he saw his father for the first time in four years.  The latter was averse to
his sons following the sea, but their tastes ran that way, and it is proverbial
that the nautical mind is a tenacious one. The father persuaded Seth L. to take
up a claim in Chalacha Prairie, Clarke county, Washington, where he remained
until the Indian war broke out and rendered the locality a dangerous one. For
the following two years he sailed on the barque Desdemona, in the coast trade,
making his last trip just before the craft was lost. Mr. Pope was second, then
first mate of the Desdemona, filling the latter post at twenty years of age, and
discontinued seafaring life temporarily because of an accident aboard ship which
necessitated his remaining on his father's place to recuperate. In 1862 he went
to The Dalles, where he was engaged as secretary and bookkeeper for the sash and
door factory of that place. In the spring of 1866 he removed to Pend Oreille
Lake, Idaho, where he became pilot and master of a line of boats crossing the
lake.  In 1870 he came to Portland, which has since been his home. For two years
he served as cashier for the Wells-Fargo Express Company, following which he
acted as manager and assistant secretary and treasurer of the Portland Mutual
Life Insurance Company. He then became identified with the Oregon Telephone,
Telegraph and Electric Light Company, establishing the first exchange in 1880,
and remaining with the company in the capacity of manager for two and a half
years. At that time his health became undermined, and after recovering he became
associated with the old Portland Water and Gas Company. Again he came under the
doctor's care; and hoping for benefits from a radical change he traveled for a
year, examining mining properties in different parts of the west. Eventually he
accepted the position of cashier and assistant secretary of the Transcontinental
Street Railway Company of Portland, serving in this capacity until the
consolidation of that line with the city and suburban lines. Since then Mr. Pope
has led a comparatively retired life, not neglecting, however, the many social
and other connections and interests he has established in his adopted city. 
     As a Mason Mr. Pope has few peers throughout the northwest. His association
with this historic order began in The Dalles, where he was elected master of
Wasco Lodge No. 15, just prior to his departure from the town. He is a charter
member and Past Master of Portland Lodge No. 55; Past High Priest of The Dalles
Chapter No. 6, R. A. M.; has served as Grand Lecturer in the Grand Chapter of
Oregon for twelve years, and has filled every office in the Grand Chapter with
the exception of those of Grand Secretary and Grand Treasurer. During 1891 and
1892 he was Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Oregon. He is a charter
member and Past Eminent Commander of Oregon Commandery No. 1, K. T., has passed
all the bodies of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, and for seven years
was Master of Perfection Lodge. He is also Sovereign Inspector of the honorary
thirty-third degree; a member of Al Kader Temple, N. M. S.; a member of Hodson
Council No. 1, R. S.M., at McMinnville; has been Grand Recorder for the Grand
Council, R. & S. M. of Oregon for the past eleven years; and is a member and
ex-Vice President of the first council of the Order of High Priesthood.  In
national politics he is independent.
     Mr. Pope has always been known as a man of integrity and stability.  His
name has been a familiar one throughout a large section of the northwest for
about half a century, and though passing through many vicissitudes incident to
pioneer life in a new and undeveloped country, his record has been that of an
honorable, upright man throughout the entire period of his career on the Pacific
coast. Few men residing in Oregon are personally known to so many men in
all walks of life as he, and none enjoy, in the twilight of their lives, a more
extended feeling of regard and good will on the part of their friends.

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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in January 2007 by Diana Smith.
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.