Gaston, Joseph.  "Portland, Oregon Its History and Builders."  Vol. 3. 
Chicago and Portland, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911. p. 200.
 
ELMER ELM LYTLE

     Elmer Elm Lytle, president of the Pacific Railway & Navigation Company, has
been prominently identified with railway interests as employe, promoter builder
and executive officer since coming to the northwest in 1889. He was born in
Tipton, Pennsylvania, April 20, 1861, a son of William A. and Caroline E.
(Gillhousen) Lytle. His father served for over half a century as agent for the
Pennsylvania Railway Company, at Tipton.
     Elmer E. Lytle was educated in the public schools of his native city. In
the broader school of experience, however, he has learned the more valuable
lessons that have contributed most largely to his success. After leaving school
he learned telegraphy and served for six months as operator at Tipton and spent
a similar time in the same capacity at Tyrone, Pennsylvania. He was next located
at Lewiston Junction, Pennsylvania, where he was promoted to ticket agent and in
1881 was returned to Tyrone as ticket agent, occupying that position until 1889,
when he came west to occupy the position of agent at Waitsburg, Washington, for
the Oregon Railway & Navigation Company. He continued in the service of this
corporation with various promotions to positions of greater responsibility until
1897. In March of that year he promoted and incorporated the Columbia Southern
Railroad and in June began the construction of the line which was completed and
opened to traffic January, 1900. He was president and principal owner of the
road, which he sold to the Harriman interests in 1933 but continued as president
until 1905. He next incorporated and began the construction of the road of the
Pacific Railway & Navigation Company, which he also sold to the Harriman
interests in December, 1906, but remains as president to the present time.
     On the 14th of October, 1880, Mr. Lytle was united in marriage to bliss
Lizzie M. Ayres, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Samuel and Emeline
Ayres, of that city. Her father was a prominent factor in the iron industry of
Pittsburg. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lytle have been born two sons and a daughter:
William K, who is in charge of construction for the Pacific Railway & Navigation
Company; Harry G.; and Helen, the wife of James A. Ellis, of Portland. The
family residence is at No. 175 Twenty-fourth street North.
     Mr. and Mrs. Lytle are identified with various local charities and
prominent in the social circles of the city. Mr. Lytle gives his political
support to the republican party where national questions and issues are involved
but otherwise votes independently. His favorite means of recreation is horseback
riding. He is a member of both the Multnomah and Commercial Clubs, taking an
active interest in the projects of the latter for the civic and commercial
development of the city and state, and his even temperament, social qualities
and his appreciation of the pleasures of life make him popular in club circles.
An analyzation of his life record indicates that close application,
determination and industry have been the salient features in his success. He
possesses a natural inclination to stick to a proposition until the desired
result is achieved and his faithfulness and ability have carried him into
important relation with the railway interests of the northwest.
 
 

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