Clark, Robert Carlton, Ph.D. "History of the Willamette Valley Oregon."  Vol. 3.
Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company, 1927. p. 232.
 
VALENTINE NADSTANEK

     A courageous spirit, a self-reliant nature and keen intelligence
constituted the youthful patrimony of Valentine Nadstanek and with these assets
he attained success, becoming one of the substantial business men of Salem. A
native of Poland, he was born in 1864 and during his boyhood came to the United
States. He spent some time in Minnesota and in 1888 journeyed to Oregon. His
attention was given to varied lines of work and about 1912 he opened the
Willamette Hardware Store in Salem. With the assistance of his partner, Merlin
Harding, Mr. Nadstanek established a business of large proportions and in its
conduct manifested initiative, foresight and mature judgment. He was well
informed on matters pertaining to the hardware trade and retired shortly before
his death, which occurred on March 13, 1922, when he was
fifty-eight years of age and in the prime of life.

     In 1895 Mr. Nadstanek had married Miss Lillie Ray, who was born in Linn
county, Oregon, in 1862 and traces her ancestry to the colonial epoch in
American history. Her parents, Lewis and Mary (Humphreys) Ray, were natives of
Tennessee and in 1853 made the long and arduous journey to Oregon, traveling
across the plains and over the mountains in a covered wagon drawn by oxen. They
settled on a donation claim in Linn county and Mr. Ray hewed a farm out of the
wilderness. He devoted the remainder of his life to the cultivation and
improvement of his land, raising grain chiefly, and the homestead is still owned
by the family. To Mr. and Mrs. Ray were born thirteen children, six of whom
survive, and but one member of their family died in infancy.

     Mr. Nadstanek gave his political support to the republican party and
heartily cooperated in movements for the general good but never aspired to
public office. He was a consistent follower of the teachings of the Catholic
church and belonged to the Knights of Columbus. Genuine, sincere and unassuming,
he held a secure place in the esteem of those who knew him and his passing was
deeply regretted. Mrs. Nadstanek maintains her home in Salem and is affiliated
with the Catholic Daughters of America. She is an earnest church worker and she
casts her ballot for the candidates of the democratic party. The welfare and
progress of the city is a matter in which she manifests a deep and helpful
interest and public opinion, bears testimony to her worth.

     
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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in June 2016 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.