Gaston, Joseph.  "Portland, Oregon, Its History and Builders."  Vol. 2.  Chicago
- Portland: S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911. p. 651.
 
CHARLES MORRISON CARTWRIGHT

     Charles Morrison Cartwright, whose name is deeply engraven upon the history
of business development and political activity in Oregon, came to this state as
one of the pioneers of 1853. His interests were therefore closely allied with
all that pertained to Oregon's upbuilding and progress to the time of his death,
which occurred on the 25th of March, 1908. He was a native of Michigan his birth
having occurred near Coldwater on the 14th of November, 1835. The first eighteen
years of his life were spent in that state, and he then crossed the plains with
his father, James Cartwright, and family in 1853. The northwest offered
boundless opportunities in its natural resources, its mineral deposits, and its
industrial and commercial possibilities, and yet the mountain ranges that lay
between were hard to climb, the forests difficult to penetrate, while the
journey across the treeless plains taxed the endurance of the most
stout-hearted. After many weary weeks of travel, the party arrived in Oregon in
October, and Charles Morrison Cartwright at once sought employment which he
found on the farm of Morton M. McCarver, near Oregon City. He improved all of
his opportunities to the best advantage. He possessed great energy and thrift,
and in the early days laid the foundation for a substantial competence. He early
gave proof of his business ability as well as his fidelity and energy, and thus
gained recognition among his fellow pioneers as one of the worthy and
representative citizens of the state.
     On the 12th of March, 1859, Mr. Cartwright was married to Miss Adelia Geer,
the eldest daughter of G. W. Geer, a pioneer of 1847. Soon afterward he tamed
his attention to general merchandizing in Butteville, and later removed to
Salem, where he continued for a time in the same business. At length he sold out
and went to Albany, where he established a soap factory which he conducted for
about a year. In 1879 he became a resident of eastern Oregon, where he engaged
in the sheep business. A little later he organized the Baldwin Sheep & Land
Company, in which he was associated with Jim Gommerville and Arthur Breyman,
with headquarters at Hay Creek in Crook county. This undertaking was crowned
with a substantial measure of success. The company raised a large number of
sheep and found ready sale for the animals and their wool. Mr. Cartwright
continued in the business until 1903, when he sold out. In 1905, in connection
with George Weidler, he acquired the Holladay property at Seaside, Clatsop
County, and afterward became sole owner.  His investments were always
judiciously made, and in business affairs he displayed sound judgment and keen
discrimination, so that as the years passed, he won substantial success.
     Mr. Cartwright was married twice, his first wife passing away about twenty
five years prior to his demise.  In their family were three children:  Mrs. J.
P. Van Houton of Shoemaker, New Mexico; Mrs. W. H. Moses of Portland; and James
B. Cartwright, of Seaside.  On the 8th of March, 1887, Mr. Cartwright was again
married, his second union being with Mrs. Charlotte Moffett, who came to Oregon
in 1845 and is well known in pioneer circles as a leading worker in connection
with the annual reunions.
     Mr. Cartwright was a Mason of high rank, and in his life exemplified the
beneficent spirit of the craft which is based upon the principles of mutual
helpfulness and brotherly kindness.  Politically he was a republican, and was
deeply interested in the success of the party. He served for one year in the
state legislature as senator from the district comprising Wasco, Crook, Klamath
and Lake counties, but otherwise did not hold office. He was never remiss in the
duties of citizenship; on the contrary, his aid could always be counted upon to
further progressive public movements, and his labors were an important element
in promoting the welfare and progress of the state.

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