"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. 834.
 
JOHN DRISCOLL

     As a business man and politician John Driscoll has for many years commanded
the respect and appreciation of the residents of Portland, of which city he has
been a resident since 1889. Born in Ireland, May 7, 1863, he was but a year old
when his father, Timothy Driscoll, a cooper by trade, brought his family to
America, settling in Norwich, Conn. From Norwich a removal was afterward made
to Providence, R. I., where the elder Driscoll is still working at his trade.
The mother of John Driscoll, formerly a Miss Shea, is also still living, and is
the mother of eight children, seven of whom are living, two being residents of
Oregon, and both business men of Portland.
     The youth of Mr. Driscoll was characterized by a hard struggle for
existence, and an early familiarity with the serious and responsible side of
life. When arrived at the age of ten he was employed in the large cotton mills
of Norwich, Conn., beginning at the bottom of the business and gradually
advancing to a comprehensive knowledge of the entire cotton industry.
His initial steps were as a mule spinner in the mule room, from which his
industry and aptitude gained him admittance to a more interesting and
encouraging department.  At the age of seventeen he shifted his allegiance to
the Norwich Lock Company, and at the expiration of four years to the Richmond
Stove Company, with which latter concern he remained for two years.
     Upon coming to Portland in 1889 Mr. Driscoll had comparatively little of
worldly possessions, and he started in to earn his living as driver of a meat
wagon.  This proved comparatively remunerative, for, when combined with frugal
living and thrift, insured to the aspirant for success a fair competence. In
June, 1890, Mr. Driscoll started up a little meat business on his own
responsibility, on the corner of Sixteenth and Marshall streets, under the firm
name of O'Donnell & Driscoll. The store was afterward removed to the corner of
Marshall and Fourteenth streets, where the proprietors catered to a constantly
increasing trade, and were obliged, in 1897, to seek more commodious quarters at
their present location, Burnside and First streets. The store is equipped with
modern appliances including electricity for lighting and motive power
     Although a stanch Democrat from the begin mug of his voting days, Mr.
Driscoll entertains exceedingly liberal political tendencies, as evidenced by
his nomination for the legislature on the Citizens ticket in 1900, and his
subsequent service in the, Twenty-first biennial session. He was one of the most
active supporters of General Mitchell and was the first Democrat that cast a
ballot for the distinguished westerner. During the legislature he served on the
committee of commerce, and introduced several important bills, among them one
for the reduction of the number of county commissioners from three to two, and
placing their salary at $3 per day. The friend of labor. Mr. Driscoll voted for
all the bills introduced for the amelioration of the laboring classes, and
during the session established a reputation for personal integrity and fearless
espousal of all that he deemed of benefit to the community at large.  In 1902 he
was again nominated on the Citizens ticket, this time for sheriff of Multnomah
county, and was defeated by only one hundred and forty-nine votes. Mr. Driscoll
is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and is fraternally identified with the
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; the Catholic Order, of Foresters, of
whom he is chief ranger; and the Woodmen of the World. He is identified with the
Young Men's Institute.
    In New London, Conn., Mr. Driscoll was united in marriage with Miss Mary T.
Robinson, who was a native of that location.
 
 
Transcriber's additional notes
 
Census Indexing:
1900  DRISCOLL  JOHN  35  M  W  IREL  OR  MULTNOMAH  3-WD PORTLAND   p 180
1910  DRISCOLL  JOHN  46  M  W  IREL  OR  MULTNOMAH  3-WD PORTLAND   p 103
1920  DRISCOLL  MARY  54  F  W  CT  OR  MULTNOMAH  PORTLAND; 35-PCT   p 40


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