Gaston, Joseph.  "The Centennial History of Oregon, 1811-1912."  Vol. 4. 
Chicago, Clarke Publishing Co., 1912. p. 870.
 
JESSE EDWARDS

     the recognized founder of Newberg, Oregon, was born in Hendricks county,
Indiana, February 18, 1849, and is a son of  John and Abigail Edwards, pioneers
of Indiana, coming from Guilford County, North Carolina.
     Jesse Edwards with his family came to Oregon in 1880.  He was married to
Mary E. Kemp, a daughter of Jeremiah and Amy R. Kemp of Park County, Indiana, in
1870.  They were the parents of four children: Clarence J., the oldest, who is
the promoter and manager of the Yamhill Electric Light & Power Company; Walter
F., a dealer in bonds and real estate of Portland; Oren K., who is general
manager and treasurer of the Pacific Face Brick Company and Maybelle E. York,
the only daughter, wife of M.M. York, sales manager of the Pacific Face Brick
Company, of Portland.
     In 1881 Mr. Edwards purchased the land upon which the city of Newberg is
now located, the first plat of the town being recorded in 1883.
Mr. Edwards, believing the moral factor to be a fundamental asset in the
building up of a city, was careful to guard its moral as well as its material
development, by plating a clause in the dedicatory articles of the city to the
effect that each deed prohibit the use and sale of all intoxicating drinks as a
beverage.  He has always been an enthusiastic supporter of education, giving not
only his hearty support to the building up of a splendid system of public
schools, but was one of the organizers of the Pacific Academy, in 1885, which
was incorporated as a college a few years later.  He has been one of its
strongest financial supporters as well as serving as president of the board of
managers for a number of years.  He was one of the incorporators of the Bank of
Newberg, and its president for ten years, it now being the United States
National Bank, one of the solid banking institutions of the county.
     There are few men in the state who have done more in promoting and
fostering manufacturing industries and all legitimate enterprises for the
development of the northwest.  Perhaps the most extensive was that of the
Newberg Pressed Brick & Terra Cotta Company, which he organized in 1892, now
well known throughout the northwest as the Pacific Face Brick Company, with its
head office in Portland.  He has been its president and financial head since its
organization. After extensive prospecting for clays throughout the Willamette
valley, which would make a suitable facing for modern fire-proof structures,
impervious to moisture, which is so necessary to this climate, they purchased
land having the desired qualities in clay and shale deposits, building a
railroad connecting with the Southern Pacific at Sheridan.  At this location
they erected and equipped the most modern and complete clay-working plant of the
Pacific coast.  Their product not only supplies the Portland and Oregon market
but is shipped in large quantities to Idaho, Washington and British Columbia.
     Mr. Edwards is a man known throughout the state for his active interests in
various organizations for moral, civic and political betterment.  His clean
moral life coupled with his successful business career is an inspiration and
encouragement to young men.
 

This biography was transcribed and contributed by
Sarah Olsen
Head Researcher
Frazier Farmstead Museum
http://www.museum.bmi.net/