"Portrait and Biographical Record of Portland and Vicinity, Oregon." Authors: "a compilation of this work....by a number of writers". Chapman Publishing Co; Chicago, 1903. p. 794. FRANK DEKUM The Dekum building in Portland, erected in 1892, stands as a monument to the enterprise and progressive spirit of its projector and builder, Frank Dekum. The structure, said by many to be the finest business block in Portland, is eight stories high, built of brick and stone, with the first three floors of granite. All of the material used in the construction of the block came from Oregon; the stone and granite were quarried in this state, the lumber sawed from native timber and the brick made of native clay. The total cost, $300,000, might have been reduced had the owner consented to use other material, but he was so loyal to Oregon and so desirous of promoting the state's resources that he would not consent to ordering material elsewhere. A native of Deidersfeld, Rheinfalz, Bavaria, Germany, Frank Dekum was one in a family of two sons and four daughters, who accompanied their parents to America in 1837 and settled on a farm near Belleville, St. Clair county, III., later going to St. Louis, Mo., where the parents died. In the latter city he was apprenticed to the trade of confectioner. In 1851, with a comrade, Fred Bickel, he came via Panama to San Francisco and for a year worked in the mines. During the Colville excitement of 1852 he proceeded via Portland to Idaho, but soon returned to Portland, where he started the first bakery and confectionery shop in the town. Soon he was joined by Mr. Bickel, and the two formed the firm of Dekum & Bickel, continuing together for many years. Their first location was on Front street near Stark in an old building that still stands. Later they built between Stark and Oak streets. On selling out to his partner, Mr. Dekum started a banking business on First and Ash streets and soon afterward incorporated the Portland Savings Bank, of which he was president. During the panic of 1893 the bank was forced to close its doors, but soon relief came, business was resumed and there was afterward no further catastrophe from financial depression. Shortly after his death the bank was honorably liquidated and the business discontinued. Many of the early buildings of Portland owed their inception to the energy and perseverance of Mr. Dekum. He entertained the most loyal faith in the city's future and championed all movements for its progress. Under his oversight was erected the first brick structure of any size on Front street. In 1871 he built the Gadsby block on First and Washington streets and later constructed the old Council building on Third and Washington. A subsequent enterprise was the erection of the Commercial block, on Second and Washington. He was an organizer of tile Commercial National Bank and served as its president until it was sold to the Wells-Fargo Company. As executor of the Waldo property, he had charge of the building of the Waldo building on Second and Washington. It is a noteworthy fact that he was interested in and contributed to the erection of even building (in whole or in part) between First and Third on Washington, which is conclusive proof of his activity as a promoter of building interests. As president or vice-president he was connected with a number of banks in Oregon and Washington, also acted as president of the old Vancouver Railroad until it was sold to the Portland Railway Company. As president of the Portland Exposition Company he superintended the erection of the Exposition building, on Washington and Eighteenth streets. Not a public enterprise was proposed that failed to receive his support when once he was convinced of its merits. Not a measure was presented for the benefit of the people that lacked his sympathy and help. Banks, business blocks, railroads and other meritorious movements owed much to his encouragement. At the time of the building of the Hotel Portland he was one of the original stockholders. An interesting enterprise which he fostered was the introduction of German song birds into Oregon. As president of the German Song Bird Society he contributed one-half of the money necessary to secure a shipment of birds from the old country. The first shipment made did not arrive in good condition and another was ordered, for which he built a large aviary. Among the birds imported were goldfinches, thrushes, starlings and green finches and nightingales. For years he was president of the German Aid Society of Portland. While he was a pronounced Republican, his party could never prevail upon him to accept office of any kind. A man of large philanthropy, no worthy charity or destitute family ever failed to secure relief from him, yet so quietly were his benefactions made that few save the recipient knew of them. The homestead of Mr. Dekum covered the entire block bounded by Thirteenth, Fourteenth, Morrison and Yamhill streets, and is now occupied by his son, Adolph. His wife, as well as himself, was of German birth, and died in Portland, where his death occurred October 19, 1894. She bore the maiden name of Fannie Reinig and was a sister of Michael Reinig, a prominent business man of Helena, Mont.; also of Charles Reinig, of the same city; and Leonard Reinig, for years a successful business man of Seattle, but now a large rancher near Snoquahnie Falls, Wash. Of the eight children born to her marriage, Edward is interested in the Commercial Advertising Company in Honolulu ; Mrs. John Gill resides in Portland; Otto C. is with the General Electric Company; Adolph A. is engaged in the hardware business in Portland; George P. is secretary of the Portland Soap and Chemical Company; Frank, an actor, makes New York his headquarters; Rosina is the wife of T. T. Strain of Portland; Clara is the wife of J. R. Meyers, a sugar planter of Hamoa, Hawaiian Islands. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in December 2008 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.