Gaston, Joseph.  "Portland, Oregon Its History and Builders."  Vol. 3. 
Chicago and Portland, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911. p. 254
 
ARTHUR F. ELERATH

     Arthur F. Elerath, who is engaged in the contracting and wrecking business
was born in Trenton, New Jersey, November 6, 1881, and although but a young man
has become well established in his chosen field of labor in Portland. His
parents were John R. and Rebecca (Herman) Elerath, both representatives of old
families of the east. When Arthur Elerath was six years of age his parents
removed to California, where they established their home in 1887, locating first
in Pasadena but after a brief period removed to Los Angeles. The father then
engaged in business as a contractor until 1890, when he removed with his family
to Portland.
     Arthur F. Elerath acquired his education in the schools of Los Angeles and
Portland up to 1893, when the family went to Honolulu and in that beautiful
tropical city he completed his studies. He learned the brick-mason's trade under
his father's direction and about 1900, when nineteen years of age, returned from
Hawaii to the United States, since which time he has made Portland the city of
his residence. Here he has engaged in contracting for eight years. Previously,
however, he served as a journeyman, being employed by Al J. Bingham, John Seed
and other prominent contractors of the city. When he felt that his experience
and ability were sufficient to enable him to carry on business successfully on
his own account he began taking contracts and has since erected the Scott Hotel
has remodeled the Calumet Hotel, built the Swetland building, the Buchanan
building and many other important structures. He was also the builder of the
Blake-McFall warehouse on Fourth and Ankeny streets, and the importance of the
contracts awarded him indicate the high position to which he has attained as a
contractor of Portland. He also carries on a wrecking business, in which
connection he tore down a historical building, the first schoolhouse ever built
in Portland, it's situation being at the comer of Fifth and Ankeny streets. He
also dismantled the buildings of the Thompson estate, where there is to be
erected a new hotel on the block bounded by Third and Fourth, Pine and Ash
streets.
    On the 6th of May, 1902, Mr. Elerath was united in marriage to Miss Dency
Hoover, a daughter of Charles and Maggie (Semple) Hoover, who were early
settlers of Oregon. The two children of this marriage are Byron A. and Bethene,
eight and seven years of age respectively.
    Mr. Elerath belongs to the Congregational church, while his wife is a
Methodist in religious faith. His political support is given to the republican
party and he is interested in all matters of progressive citizenship. He is also
secretary for the Master Mason's Association and is regarded in Portland as one
of the rising young business men of the city, who has already won for himself
wide recognition by reason of his ability. His laudable ambition is carrying him
far beyond the point of mediocrity and he has passed many another on life's
journey who perhaps started out with better equipment than he.
 
 
Transcriber's additional notes:
 
This same biography appears in the following book:
 
"Portland The Rose City, Pictorial and Biographical"
S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.; Various compilers; 1911
Vol. 2, Page 315
 

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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in June 2008 by Diana Smith. Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.