Lockley, Fred. "History of the Columbia River Valley, From The Dalles to the Sea." Vol. 2. S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1928. p. 152. PETER JOHN STADELMAN At an early age Peter John Stadelman manifested that spirit of energy and self-reliance which spurs the individual ever onward and upward and for thirty-five years he has been an outstanding figure in business circles of The Dalles. He is also a financier of high standing and for a decade has been mayor of the city, which has made notable progress during that period. He was born in Hempstead, New York, and his father, Joseph Stadelman, was a native of the Austrian Tyrol. In 1869 he sailed for the United States, settling on Long island, and for a time followed the trade of a carpenter at Hempstead. Next he purchased a tract of land and raised garden truck, which he marketed in New York city. Learning of the opportunities afforded in the west, he sold the. property and in 1881 came to The Dalles, Oregon. He leased the old Catholic mission donation land claim of six hundred and forty acres and devoted the remainder of his life to the cultivation of the farm. His wife, Mary (Rath) Stadelman, was born in the state of New York and they became the parents of two sons, Peter John and Joseph, whose biographies are published in this volume. The father's demise occurred in March, 1923, but the mother still resides at The Dalles. Peter J. Stadelman attended the public schools of this city until he was twelve years of age, when he became a newsboy, and carried the Oregonian, Portland's leading paper. At the same, time he obtained a position in The Dalles post office, in which he spent about four years, serving under Michael Nolan, who was then postmaster and also the mayor of the city. Much of the work devolved upon Mr. Stadelman, who acted as assistant postmaster before he reached the age of sixteen. In 1893 he ventured in business for himself, opening a fruit and vegetable store at The Dalles, and a year later he broadened the scope of his activities. During the winter he cut ice from the nearby lakes and with the assistance of his brother peddled it in the summer. In 1898 the business was expanded to a wholesale and retail fruit and ice company, in which P. J. Stadelman owned two-thirds of the stock, and the remainder was held by Joseph Stadelman. They handled Oregon and California fruits for the eastern markets, also supplying the western markets with fruit from the east and south, and likewise became dealers in coal and wood. In 1909 they completed a large plant for the manufacture of ice and later erected a cold storage building provided with ten large rooms supplied with facilities for keeping perishable fruit. The building is usually filled with apples, which are secured in the fall and kept in cold storage until spring. In 1925 Joseph Stadelman withdrew from the concern and the business is now controlled by Peter J. Stadelman, who has admitted his sons, Wilbur and George P., to a partnership. To the Stadelman Company belongs the distinction of having the largest ice and cold storage plant in eastern Oregon. In 1927 the firm shipped over one hundred thousand dollars worth of cherries alone and in addition sent out peaches, pears, apricots, strawberries, apples and vegetables in large quantities. The cars are iced at The Dalles plant and the shipments extend throughout the eastern states. Each step in the development of this large enterprise has resulted from carefully matured plans and tireless effort, and in its conduct Mr. Stadelman brings to bear unerring judgment and marked administrative power. These characteristics are also displayed in the control of the Citizens National Bank, a local institution, of which he is the president. In 1920 he was one of the organizers of the bank, of which Dr. J. A. Reuter is vice president, and H. E. Green serves as cashier. Their associates on the board of directors are John Van Dellen, John Heimrich, Arthur Senfert, Dr. B. C. Olinger, H. L. Huck and George Abarr. The bank is capitalized at one hundred and sixty thousand dollars and its resources amount to more than one million dollars. This is a reliable, prosperous moneyed institution and the spirit behind its service is one of helpfulness. In 1907 Mr. Stadelman and his brother purchased from their father the old mission farm, which adjoins the city, and they still own the property, which they have converted into one of the finest ranches in Wasco county. In 1904 Peter J. Stadelman married Mrs. May Hicks, a native of Wasco county and a daughter of Robert Kelly, who served as sheriff of the county for many years. Mrs. Stadelman passed away July 10, 1924, leaving two sons, Wilbur and George Peter, both natives of The Dalles and graduates of the local high school. Wilbur Stadelman attended the University of Oregon at Eugene for one and a half years and has charge of the fruit department of his father's business. His brother is a sophomore at the State University and a member of its football team, taking a prominent part in athletic sports. The sons are keenly interested in the business and give every promise of being able to continue it successfully when their father is ready to retire. Mr. Stadelman is affiliated with the Chamber of Commerce and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. In 1910 he became a member of the city council, with which he was identified for four years, and made an excellent record. On November 4, 1918, he was elected mayor of The Dalles and has since been retained in that office. The welfare of the city has ever been his first concern and his administration has been beneficially resultant. He is an earnest advocate of good roads and schools and his personality has been an inspiration to progress. Mr. Stadelman has never deviated from the course sanctioned by conscience and honor and belongs to that desirable class of citizens who constitute the strength and the motive power of every community in which they are found. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in May 2010 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.