"Portland The Rose City, Pictorial and Biographical." Vol. 2. S. J. Clarke
Publishing Co., 1911.  p. 13.
 
HON. RUFUS MALLORY

     Occupying a position of distinctive preferment as a representative of the
Oregon bar, connected with the work of the courts both as a jurist and attorney,
Hon. Rufus Mallory has also taken part in the work of framing the laws of the
state and thus has left his impress deeply upon the history of Portland and of
Oregon. A native of New York, he was born in Coventry, Chenango county, June 10,
1831. The ancestral history of the family in America traces back to Peter
Mallory, who in 1643 braved the dangers of an ocean voyage at that day to become
identified with the colonial interests of New Haven, Connecticut. Among his
descendants was David Mallory, who was born in Connecticut, where he spent his
entire life, and who during the period of the Revolutionary war joined a
regiment of Connecticut troops to battle for the independence of the colonists.
His service won recognition in the gift of a land warrant, which was afterward
located by his grandson. Samuel Mallory, son of David Mallory, was born in
Oxford, Connecticut, August 9, 1782, and in early life settled at Coventry, New
York. Subsequently he became a resident of Allegany county, that state, and
later of Steuben county. He followed farming throughout his entire life save for
a brief period devoted to seafaring. He died at Greenwood, New York, August 19,
1854, in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he had long been
a devoted member. He married Lucretia Davis, who was a native of Oxford,
Connecticut, and also passed away in Greenwood. Her father, Colonel John Davis,
was born in New York and was of Welsh descent. He valiantly espoused the cause
of the colonists in the Revolutionary war and his bravery and military skill won
him promotion to the rank of colonel. He was likewise prominent in the community
in which he lived and, in fact, was held in such honor among those with whom he
was constantly associated that the anniversary of his birth is still celebrated
at High Rock Grove, where he made his home. Unto Samuel and Lucretia Mallory
were born nine children: Augustus, who made his home at Heppner, Oregon; Mrs.
Maria Slocum, who was also a resident of Heppner; Mrs. Hallock and Mrs. Abigail
Wallace, who also lived there; Homer H., of New York; and Rufus, of Portland;
George, deceased; Lucius Belvidere; and Sarah, who died in Pennsylvania.
     In his boyhood days Rufus Mallory was a pupil in the district schools of
Allegany and Steuben counties, New York,.and afterward profited by instruction
in Alfred University. At the age of sixteen he began teaching school and
thereafter for some time divided his time between teaching and attending school.
Taking up the study of law with a view of making its practice his life work, he
has since eagerly availed himself of any opportunity that would promote his
progress in that field, and in his practice has been of able and conscientious
service to his clients and has long been recognized as a faithful minister in
the temple of justice.
     Mr. Mallory, in 1855, became one of the pioneer teachers of New London,
Henry county, Iowa, where he resided for three years. In 1858 he started by way
of the Panama route for Oregon. On the western shore of the isthmus he took
passage on a vessel bound for San Francisco and from that point rode across the
mountains on a mule to Oregon, making the journey by way of Red Bluff and
Shasta. He spent fifteen months as a teacher at Roseburg and in 1860 was
admitted to the bar. The same year he was elected district attorney of Jackson,
Josephine and Douglas counties and two years later was chosen to represent
Douglas county in the state legislature. In the fall of that year he became a
resident of Salem and to the practice of law and to his legislative duties gave
his attention. Again called to office, he served for two years as district
attorney for the third district, including Linn, Polk, Marion and Yamhill
counties. In 1866 the republican party nominated him for congress, where he sat
at the time of the trial of Andrew Johnson. Some of the greatest statesmen
America has ever known were members of the national legislative body at that
time.
     On his return from Washington Mr. Mallory resumed the practice of law but
was again called to aid in making the laws of the state, when, in 1872, he was
elected to represent Marion county in the general assembly. His prominence and
his leadership among the republicans of the state was indicated in the fact that
he was chosen speaker of the house. He served as United States district attorney
by appointment of President Grant and reappointment of President Hayes,
continuing in the office from 1874 until 1882, and when he retired from that
position he received government appointment as special agent in relation to some
matters at Singapore, Asia. After visiting that city and faithfully executing
the commission assigned him, he started around the world, visiting many points
of historic and of modern interest as well as scenic beauty.
     On again reaching Oregon, in November, 1883, he entered law practice at
Portland as a member of the firm of Dolph, Bellinger, Mallory & Simon, a
relationship that was maintained until the second partner was appointed United
States district judge for Oregon by President Cleveland, at which time he was
succeeded in the firm by Judge Strahn under the style of Dolph, Mallory, Simon &
Strahn. Following the death of Judge Strahn the firm name of Dolph, Mallory &
Simon was assumed and another change occurred on the election of Mr. Simon to
the United States senate, when the name of Gearin was added, a fourth partner
being admitted to the firm.
     Mr. Mallory's connection with the legal profession has left an indelible
impress upon the record of Oregon's courts. He has been connected with much of
the most important litigation tried in Portland and the state. He has been
particularly successful as an attorney for the defense in damage suits and for
some time was the legal representative of a number of railroad companies. He
manifests the utmost precision and thoroughness in the preparation of his cases
and with remarkable clearness of insight arrives at the salient feature of a
case, while at the same time he loses sight of none of the derails which may
have possible bearing upon the cause. He has been honored with the presidency of
the Oregon State Bar Association, of which he is a charter member, but even the
practice of law and his political service does not constitute his entire
connection with public interests. He has been associated with various business
projects and enterprises which have had direct bearing upon the welfare and
upbuilding of the state. He became actively and helpfully interested in the
Columbia River & Northern Railroad project and has done important work in
furthering its construction from Columbia river northeast to Goldendale. He is a
director and also attorney for the City & Suburban Railroad Company and for the
United States National Bank
     Mr. Mallory's position upon any vital question is never an equivocal one.
He stands fearlessly in support of his convictions and his opinions are based
upon comprehensive consideration of the question at issue.  He early became
identified with the whig party and in 1852 supported Winfield Scott for the
presidency. Four years later he was found in the ranks of the newly organized
republican party and has since been an influential factor among those who have
given to it their unfaltering support. In 1868 he was made a delegate to the
national convention in Chicago and gave his vote to General Grant. Twenty years
later he again visited Chicago as a delegate to the republican national
convention and was the supporter of Benjamin Harrison at that time. He has twice
been chosen president of the republican state conventions and is one whose word
is respectfully received by the party in Oregon for it is known that his
opinions are carefully considered and that he is prompted in all his political
activity by a most earnest desire for the welfare of the country at large.
     While living in Roseburg, Oregon, Mr., Mallory was married to Miss Lucy
Rose, a native of Michigan and a daughter of Aaron Rose, who was born in New
York and after aiding in the pioneer development of Michigan came overland to
Oregon in 1851 and entered actively upon the work of upbuilding the northwest.
He laid out the town of Roseburg upon a portion of a tract of land of three
hundred and twenty acres upon which he settled, and with the further development
and improvement of the place he was closely connected until his death in 1901.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Mallory has been born a son, Elmer E., now engaged in the
practice of law in Portland.
     An active, well spent and honorable life has brought Rufus Mallory to the
age of seventy-nine years. His career is one which reflects credit and honor
upon the state, measuring at all times up to the full standard of honorable
manhood and of loyal and progressive citizenship. He has held to high ideals in
his private practice and in his public life, and endowed by nature with keen
intellect he has used his well developed powers not only to further his
individual interests but also to advance the public welfare along lines which
are constituting effective forces in the world's civilization.
 
 
Transcriber's additional notes:
 
This is the same biography as the one that appears in the book:
 
"Portland, Oregon, Its History and Builders" 
Author:  Joseph Gaston
S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago-Portland, 1911
Vol. 2, Page 5
     

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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in June 2008 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.