"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. 263. HON. WILLIAM H. WEHRUNG While in various lines of activity Mr. Wehrung has been most helpful to the progress and welfare of his home town, Hillsboro, and his state, chief among these interests being his successful labors as state senator, perhaps no movement with which he is connected holds a more important place in his thoughts or is of more vital concern to the welfare of the people than his service as a member of the state board of agriculture, to which he was appointed by Governor Geer, March 14, 1899, for a term of four years, at the end of which time he was reappointed by Governor Chamberlain. Since then he has acted as president of the board, and it is due to his indefatigable efforts that the enterprise has proved a gratifying success. Under his direct supervision was held the forty-second annual fair of the state board, at the fair grounds, Sale, Ore., in September, 1902, when $10,000 was distributed in premiums on lie stock, agricultural and manufactured products. Various days were set aside for special organizations or interests, Tuesday being editor's day; Friday Woodmen of the World day and Saturday, Pioneer and Grange day. To assist the president of the board, various standing committees contributed their quota, among these being those of finance, publication and programme, speed programme, premium list and transportation, each in charge of men of recognized ability and business judgment. In the county of Washington, where he now resides, William H. Wehrung was born March 22, 1861. His father, Henry, as Alsatian by birth and a cabinetmaker by trade, came to America in 1848, locating in Pittsburg, Pa. In 1852 he proceeded via Panama to San Francisco, with the intention of mining for gold, but one month later he proceeded to Portland, and two weeks later came to Hillsboro, where he helped to build the first court house. Under his direct supervision was started the first furniture manufacturing establishment in Hillsboro, where, in addition to constructing furniture, he has made sash, doors, etc., all by hand. His enthusiasm and enterprise were contagious and around him were soon grouped a number of progressive, energetic business men. The store that he built still stands, as does also the old court house, though the latter now occupies a different location from its original site on Main street. In 1854 he erected the Tualatin house, the first hotel in Hillsboro, dressing all the lumber by hand. The following year he closed his store and entered the volunteer service in the Indian war, participating in the campaign against the Yakima Indians. In 1882 he engaged in the general merchandise business, in which his son soon joined him. The Wehrung block of two stories was built in 1889, on the corner of Main and Second streets, 50 x 100 feet. From his earliest identification with the state of Oregon he has been interested in farming, and in the meantime has cleared and improved a valuable farm. Included in his estate is a tract of one hundred and forty acres adjoining Hillsboro, besides other farms in different parts of Washington county. Upon the organization of the First National Bank of Hillsboro, in which he was interested, he was elected a director, and has occupied that post up to the present time. Though not active in business at the present time, he is still at the head of the firm of H. Wehrung & Sons, occupying the Wehrung block, and carrying a full line of general merchandise. It is said that theirs is the largest business of its kind in Hillsboro, and without doubt none is more important or far-reaching in its influence. Besides the management of his private interests, Henry Wehrung has served as school director, helped to build the first school in Hillsboro, and has been a member of the city council several terms. Fraternally he is a Mason, and is now the oldest living Mason in Hillsboro, having affiliated with the order on St. John's day, 1855. He is a member of the Congregational Church. By his marriage with Catherine Emerick, who was born in Illinois and crossed the plains with her parents to Washington county about 1848, he has four children, namely: Charlotte, wife of George W. Patterson, of Portland; Mary, wife of David Corwin, of Washington county; William H., state senator and president of the state board of agriculture; and G. A., a partner in the firm of H. Wehrung & Sons. From his earliest boyhood William H. Wehrung was familiar with business matters and interests, hence on taking up active pursuits for himself, he was admirably qualified to succeed in his undertakings. From 1879 to 1882 he worked at the cabinetmaker's trade under his father, and in the latter year became a clerk in his father's general mercantile store, later acquiring an interest in the enterprise. The charge of the store is in his hands, and he has superintended it to such good effect that it now ranks among the finest industries of its kind in the locality. In addition, he owns farming interests in Washington county. In the city where he now lives, he was married to Mary A. Boscow, daughter of Peter Boscow. They are the parents of two daughters, Ethel G. and Alice Catherine. A leading Democrat of this locality, Mr. Wehrung has been chairman of the county central committee of his party, also a member of the state central committee, and for years has been a member of the Hillsboro city council. In 1900, as the nominee of the Union ticket, he was elected to the state senate by a majority of four hundred and four, in a county that usually gives a Republican majority of five hundred. During his service in the senate he has served on various committees and has done much to promote the welfare of his constituents and the general prosperity of the state. He was made a Mason in Tualatin Lodge No. 6, A. F. & A. M., is a member of Portland Lodge No. 142, B.P.O.E., Woodmen of the World and the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and for a short time was a member of the First Regiment, Oregon National Guard. At one time he held the presidency of Griffin's Cabin No. 8, Native Sons of Oregon, in which he is still an active worker. At this writing he is president of the Hillsboro Board of Trade, an organization having for its aim the extension of the city's commercial interests and the enhanced prosperity of its business men. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in May 2006 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.