Hines, H. K. "An Illustrated History of the State of Oregon." Chicago: Lewis
Pub. Co. 1893.  p. 444.
 
WALTER L. TOOZE

     Among the representative business men of Woodburn, is the subject of this
biographical notice, a man of excellent ability and judgment, and one who has
aided largely in the development of his county's resources. He was born in
Pittsfield, Lorain county, Ohio, in I860, a son of William and Mary H.
(Parkmand) Tooze, natives of England. The parents were married in their own
country, and afterward emigrated to the United States, in 1858. They
settled near Pittsfield, Lorain county, where Mr. Tooze engaged in agricultural
pursuits. In 1864 he removed to Bedford, Michigan, and continued the same
occupation. The mother died during the childhood of Walter L., and after this
sad event he was taken by his uncle, Jame Tooze, who was living at Brownhelm,
Ohio. There he was reared and educated, and in the year 1877 he started out to
meet the responsibilities of life. He determined to try his fortunes on the
Pacific coast, and came to Oregon, landing in Newberg, Yam Hill county, without
money and among strangers. He first did farm work, and followed this occupation
for a number of years. He then began teaching in the public schools of
Washington county, and devoted himself to the profession until 1884.  Having
saved a little money, he formed a partnership with J. Barnes of Butteville,
Marion county, and embarked in general mercantile pursuits. The business was
carried on for one year, when Mr. Tooze retired from the firm, and began buying
and selling grain. In December, 1886, he visited the town of Woodburn, and
foreseeing its growth and development, he formed a partnership with his brother,
Charles T., for the purpose of establishing a mercantile trade.  They purchased
the stock of Mrs. J.R. Sconce, and carried on a general business for one year.
At the end of twelve months the firm dissolved, and Walter L. Tooze continued
the business alone. By extending the business and keeping apace with the growth
of the town, he became popularly known as the "produce and merchant king of
French Prairie. Through handling grain and farm produce he established a
market which had before been unknown in Woodburn, and during the latter years he
handled 100,000 bushels of grain and 50,000 bushels of potatoes annually. In
1892 he sold his mercantile interests and engaged in a general brokerage and
real-estate business.
      He was married at Butteville, April 22,1886, to Miss Sadie A. Barnes, a
native of Missouri, and they have had born to them two children: Walter L. Jr.,
and Lilla Ethel. Mr. Tooze has been one of the most prominent factors in the
upbuilding of Woodburn, and has loyally supported all home enterprises. The
commercial interests of the place have prospered and flourished through his zeal
and energy, and he is justly numbered among the benefactors of the town.

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