Hines, H. K. "An Illustrated History of the State of Oregon." Chicago: Lewis
Pub. Co. 1893.  p. 646.
 
DELOS D. NEER

     who for a number of years has been prominently identified with the
architectural interests of Portland, Oregon, is well known not only in this city
but also throughout other towns and cities of the State. A resume of his life is
as follows:
     Delos D. Neer was born in Charlotteville, Schoharie county, brew York, in
1847, oldest of the seven children of Charles and Levancha (Schermerhorn) Neer,
natives of that locality. Charles Neer operated a harness and wagon manufactory,
was raised on a farm, and spent a great deal of his early life teaching school.
Delos D. remained at home attending school until 1857, when, by the death of his
father, self-support became necessary, and he found employment at farm work,
turning in the mere pittance received as wages to his mother to aid in her
maintenance. Thus he labored in summer and attended school in winter until 1864.
At that time he enlisted at East Worcester, New York, in the Third New York
Cavalry, and was forwarded to the recruiting rendezvous at Hart's Island, where,
because of misplaced papers, he was attached to Company K, One Hundred and
Thirty-third Need York Infantry, Third Brigade, First Division, Nineteenth Army
Corps, Department of the Potomac, under
command of Gen. Phil Sheridan. He engaged in the campaign of the Shenandoah
Valley during 1864 and 1865, and after the war closed passed through the grand
review at Washington, was discharged at Hart's Island, and from there started
home. At Albany Mr. Neer chanced to meet his old employer, Mr. Van Benthusen,
with whom he immediately engaged for the summer, haying and harvesting.
     In the spring of 1867 he was employed by Mr. Ogden, a prominent contractor
and builder of Kirkwood, New York, and with him went to Jersey City, New Jersey.
There he received his initial lessons in building, construction and drawing.
Taking naturally to the trade, he acquired such proficiency, that in the spring
of 1868 he returned to Binghamton, fitted himself with tools, and began work as
journeyman carpenter, which he followed for many years. Mr. Neer was married
near Binghamton in the fall of 1869, to Miss Attirelia Collins, a native of that
locality. They had two children, neither of whom survived infancy, and in 1873
Mrs. Neer died.
     After the death of his wife Mr. Neer went to Waverly, New York, where he
continued contracting and building, and where he was also engaged in the
manufacture of doors and sashes.  He remained there until the spring of 1875. At
that time, having decided to visit California, he arrived in the Golden State in
April. He followed his trade in San Francisco, and while there was employed on
the Hopkins' mansion. In February, 1879, he removed to Portland, and about this
time conceived the idea of applying himself to architecture as a profession.
This he successfully accomplished, and in 1880 opened an office in East
Portland. He was chiefly engaged upon dwelling houses until 1882, when he formed
a copartnership with John Loromer, and their office was removed to Portland.
They did an active and successful business until the fall of 1883, when the
partnership was dissolved. Mr. Neer was architect and superintendent of
construction of the courthouses of Clackamas, Benton and Washington
counties, and of the new jail for Lane county, this State, and also of the
courthouse at Snohomish, Washington, besides many brick buildings, schools and
residences in Portland, and a large part of the brick work of the East side.  He
was architect of the Barr Block, which is one of the latest imposing business
blocks of the city.
     Mr. Neer's second marriage occurred in Oakland,California, in October 1877,
to Miss Kate L. Saunders, a native of Missouri. They have three children: Helen
R., Harry W. and Bessie L.
     Mr. Neer is deeply interested in the G. A. R., and it was through his
efforts that Sumner Post, No. 12, was organized in 1881. He was elected the
first Post Commander. For two years he has served as Inspector for the
Department of Oregon, and for the same length of time as Assistant Inspector on
the staff of the Commander-in-chief of National Organization.  He has been a
member of the A. O. U. W. for eleven years, and is now a Past Chancellor of
Phalanx Lodge, No. 14, K. of P., and last, but not least, is prominently
identified with Portland Lodge, No. 142, B. P. O. E. The subject of this sketch
is thoroughly Oregonian, having sworn full allegiance to the State of his
adoption, and it as trough the combined efforts of such men that Oregon is fast
coming to rank as one of the foremost States of the Union.

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