Lockley, Fred. "History of the Columbia River Valley, From The Dalles to the Sea." Vol. 3. S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1928. p. 896. Includes portrait GEORGE WASHINGTON SHAVER No history of Portland and the development of Oregon and the northwest would be complete without extended reference to George Washington Shaver, who became one of the early pioneers of the state and was prominently connected with various business interests that contributed to the development of this section of the country. He was born in Campbell county, Kentucky, March 2, 1832, and obtained a fair education for that period. In young manhood he went to Missouri, where he resided until he became deeply interested in the west and its possibilities. When gold was discovered in California he determined to try his fortune in the mines and in 1849 started across the plains with ox-team and wagon as a member of a large party. Slowly they proceeded across the stretches of hot sand and through the mountain passes, and after reaching his destination Mr. Shaver began work in the mines, but his labors did not bring him the expected returns and he made his way northward to Oregon, where he again tried mining for a brief period. On coining to this state he settled at Waldo Hills, Marion county, and it was from there that he went to southern Oregon, where he once more took up mining, but without great success. Mr. Shaver arrived in Portland on the 2d of February, 1854, and it was in this city that he wedded Miss Sarah Dixon, who made the long trip across the plains to Oregon in 1852 in company with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Dixon, who settled at Roseburg. With his bride Mr. Shaver first located on a farm in Marion county, and four children were born to them while they still occupied the farm, while six other children were added to the family subsequent to the time when their home was established in Portland. They took up their abode here in 1860, upon land that is now included within the Elizabeth Irving addition to the city. Mr. Shaver turned his attention to dealing in wood and for many years had large contracts for furnishing fuel to the steamboats plying between Portland and San Francisco. He also supplied wood to various river boats and barges and thus one by one aided in clearing the timber tracts of this region, Mr. Shaver probably cutting more acres of timber than any man of his time. In those early days there was no rail transportation and Mr. Shaver became greatly interested in navigation, and on the organization of the Shaver Transportation Company was made its first president, his son, James W. Shaver, filling the office of secretary and treasurer. This business developed into one of the important navigation interests of the northwest, and the father continued in active connection therewith until the time of his demise, October 26, 1900. The Shaver Transportation Company still exists as one of the potent forces in navigation circles of the northwest, and is today represented by Delmer Shaver, president; Leonard Shaver, vice president; H. T. Shaver, secretary; and George M. Shaver, treasurer. Captain Shaver of this review remained the president of the Transportation Company and head of all the different interests of his family until the time of his death. He was a man of large business capacity, forceful and resourceful, and belonged to that old school who believed that strength lay in the family union, and therefore, he always wished his interests and prosperity to be shared by the members of his own household. One of the fleet of ships belonging to the transportation company was named "G. W. Shaver" in honor of the father, while another was called "Sarah Dixon," so named in honor of the mother. And while four of Captain Shaver's sons followed in the father's footsteps in the navigation line, one son, John R. Shaver, now deceased, followed independent interests during his life. He was born December 14, 1854, at Waldo Hills, Marion county, and was educated in the public schools of Portland, while performing the various home duties as did the other boys of the family. He soon entered into the livery business in East Portland, later operated a mail route for some time, and then took over the management, and operated one of his father's farms, located at Molalla, Clackamas county. While engaged in farming here, he was elected to the office of sheriff of this county, serving two terms, and during the latter term was shot and killed by an outlaw (Smith) on April 30, 1906, while in the performance of his duties. He married Miss Martha King, and to them five children were born: Earl (deceased), Lloyd, Zelma, Ellen (deceased) and Genevieve. Throughout his life George W. Shaver was keenly interested in all that pertained to Oregon's progress and improvement. Coming to the state in 1850, he remained a resident here for a half century, and he left the impress of his individuality and ability upon many interests which were of general public worth. He departed this life on the 26th of October, 1900, at which time it was said of him: "He was not only a man of sound business judgment and capacity for observation and action but also in the character embodied all that is excellent and of good report. No worthy cause of Portland but profited by his generosity and large-heartedness; no friend but was benefited by his council and assistance. To the end he retained in increasing measure the confidence of all with whom he was ever associated and to his family and friends he left the heritage of a good name." Submitted to the OR. Bios Project in September 2006 by Jeffrey L. Elmer * * * * Notice: These biographies were transcribed for the Oregon Biographies Project. The submitter has no further information on the individual featured in the biography.