Hines, H. K. "An Illustrated History of the State of Oregon." Chicago: Lewis
Pub. Co. 1893.  p. 1032.
 
FRANK DEKUM

     Among the early pioneers of Oregon we find Mr. Frank Dekum, who was born in
Palatine, Bavaria, Germany, November 5, 1829. There his ancestry had lived for
generations, engaged in the business enterprises of the locality. Seeking a
broader field of labor in 1837, his father, Frank Dekum, with his wife and seven
children emigrated to America, among the pioneers of Illinois, located in St.
Clair county, where he followed farming until his death, in 1850, his wife
following him the same year.
     The education of Frank Dekum was exceedingly limited and almost restricted
to the home-teaching of his mother. Times were hard and money was very scarce,
and Frank, being a strong, robust, willing lad, was kept constantly employed in
providing for the requirements of the family. Those were days when muscle,
instead of mind,was regarded as the essential facility to develop, as the body
must be clothed and fed, regardless of other necessities. Frank remained at home
until 1848, when he struck out in life for his own support. Going to St. Louis
he apprenticed himself to learn the business of confectioner, agreeing to remain
three years, the first year to receive $3 per month; the second year $4 per
month, and the third year $8 per month. His hours of work a day averaged from
fifteen to eighteen hours, with no holidays, and on Sundays he was expected to
attend church in the morning and the store in the afternoon.
     This stern discipline inculcated habits of persistent perseverance, which
have followed him through his life.
     In February, 1852, with his friend, Fredrick Bickel, Mr. Dekum started for
California by steamer and the Panama route, arriving in San Francisco June 15 of
the same year. He then followed mining at French Gulch and Middletown until
March, 1853, and then returned to San Francisco, and by sailing vessel made the
trip to Portland, which was then a town of about 1,500 inhabitants. The entire
cash capital of Mr. Dekum, on arrival, was $2. He found employment, at a small
bakery while looping over the prospects, and then sent to California for his
friend, Fredrick Bickel, and the firm of Dekum & Bickel was established, located
on Front street, and engaged in the confectionery, restaurant and fruit
business. Fruit was purchased at Milwaukee from Mr. Llewellyn, the pioneer
fruit-grower of Oregon, who brought his fruit trees with him across the plains,
and from him originated the "red apples" for which Oregon has since become
famous. During 1853 the Gloria Mundi apples were worth much, being sold as high
as $5 each; Bartlett pears $18 per dozen, and cherries four bits a dozen. Money
was made in this way very rapidly until fall, when both were taken sick, and the
cash was again reduced. With the return of health, business was again continued,
and with the increase of population and settlement of the country, they
gradually extended÷confining themselves to manufacturing and selling only at
wholesale÷through Oregon, Washington and Idaho, with an extensive and profitable
trade, thus being the leading house of the class in the Northwest, continuing
until 1880, when Mr. Dekum sold his interest to his partner, and retired from
the business. In 1871 he erected the Dekum building on the corner of Washington
and First streets, being of brick, 100 feet square and three stories high, and
then considered the finest business block of the State. In 1872 he built on the
corner of Front and A streets, and in 1875 the Council, building, corner of
Third and Washington streets, and in 1879 he built his handsome residence on the
block bounded by Eleventh and Twelfth, Yam Hill and Morrison streets. That part
of the city was then slightly improved, and his residence was considered years
ahead of the times. In 1880 Mr. Dekum was one of the incorporators of the
Portland Savings Bank, and was elected vice-president, with D. P. Thompson
president. The bank was so prosperous and did such an extensive commercial
business that in 1886 they built the Portland Savings Bank building, corner of
Second and Washington streets, and therein arranged offices for themselves, and
also organized the Commercial National Bank, with offices in same building, with
Mr. Dekum as president of the Savings Bank. Both banks have continued with
marked prosperity.
     In 1892 Mr. Dekum completed the monument of his life, by erecting on the
corner of Third and Washington streets, one of the first office blocks of the
city, termed the "The Dekum." The building is a 100 feet square, the first three
stories being of stone, handsomely eat and chased, surmounted by five stories
additional of pressed brick and terra cotta. In 1878 Mr. Dekum was one of the
organizers of the Mechanics' Fair Association, which continued very prosperously
for about seven years, and then, because of his advanced ideas, which were not
approved by the directors, he withdrew and became one of the incorporators of
the North Pacific Industrial Association, subsequently changed to the Portland
Industrial Exposition, which purchased seven and one-half blocks. They have
erected a handsome building, 200x400 feet, conveniently divided for exposition
purposes. In 1888 he began agitating a movement for the protection and
importation of singing birds. Proper laws have been made and many birds imported
from Germany and other countries, of the thrush, finch and skylark species, and
where Nature was once silent it now resounds with music. This enterprise has
created much favorable comment throughout Europe and the Pacific States.
     Mr. Dekum was a charter member of the German Aid Society, organized in
1865, and has been its Treasurer for years. In politics he is a Republican, but
has studiously declined any nomination, though ever active in promoting wise and
good measures in the development of his adopted city and country. Since twelve
years of his life have been devoted to business, and his present success has
been attained by persistent effort, overcoming many obstacles, but with keen
foresight and honest purposes, his efforts have been well rewarded.

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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.