"The Oregonian's Handbook of the Pacific Northwest." Portland, OR: Oregonian Publishing Co., 1894. pg. 120. SEID BACK Seid Back, the distinguished merchant of Portland, was born in China in 1852. He passed his boyhood days working on a farm for his parents and immigrated to the United States at the age of 18. He reached this country in a penniless condition. He immediately after his arrival located at Portland, where he found work in the drudgery of housework, which he followed just long enough to master the more responsible duties of a cook, which latter vocation he followed for a number of years subsequently. since that time the career of this man has been one of constant progress. He mastered the English language until, today, he talks this tongue as fluently as any native-born American; he studied carefully the customs and politics of this country until he became as well versed in our affairs as the best informed of business men; he embraced Christianity and became an earnest though not fanatical teacher of its doctrines, and, as a man of affairs at the present time, his opinion is as eagerly sought in the best informed business circles as is that of the best known merchant of the city. Seid Back is now a wealthy citizen, and his life shows the best traits of the Chinese character. He is a living example of the opportunities afforded in this country for advancement, and it can be taken as an object lesson by that class of foreigners who decry our form of government, who rail against the rich, but who seem totally incapable of that earnest and honest effort which alone can lead to success. In 1876 Seid Back was married to Quay Thoy, a young Chinese maiden, who had also come to this country from her native land. The marriage took place at the First Baptist church here and was largely attended. Seid Back started into business here in a modest way, his capital at the time being but $3,000, which he had saved from his earnings. The premises first occupied by this merchant were in the old building at the corner of Third and Washington streets, where the stately Dekum block now stands. Here he engaged in a general Chinese merchandise business, in connection with which he conducted a contract labor bureau, and it was in this occupation that he laid the foundation of his present princely fortune. About 10 years ago he removed to his present quarters at 129 Front street, an illustration of which is shown in connection with the present article. He now does business here on the ground floor, occupying the upper story of the building for family rooms. In addition to his business on Front street, he is also the head of the Wing Mow Lung Company, which does a business of $200,000 a year outside of the revenue derived from sub-letting a number of buildings on Second street, erected by the company on ground held under long-time ground-rent leases. the company imports all kinds of Chinese merchandise, such as clothing, teas, rice, sugar, nut oil, fire crackers, table delicacies, etc., and they export American staple products, such as flour and lumber, in large quantities. Seid Back, in his individual right, now owns Portland property which, at a conservative valuation, is worth about $200,000. He holds stock in a large number of American and Chinese enterprises, including bank and insurance companies. He has been one of the heaviest contractors for Chinese labor on the coast. He recalls the time when he had 700 men contracted to the Northern Pacific, 400 to the Oregon Railway & Navigation Company, and 500 to the Southern Pacific. The contracting business has largely fallen off during the past few years, but Seid Back even today furnishers regularly from 150 to 200 men a year, principally to the salmon canneries. Seid Back is easily the representative of his race in the Northwest, and in private life he can be said to be as prominent as any Chinaman in the United States. He devotes a considerable part of his time and attention to aiding his fellow countrymen, and has carried many a native of the Mongolian race through some temporary difficulty. He has a wife and one child, a son. This boy Seid Gain, although only 16 years of age, is already a bright, alert young business man, and he is a great help to his father in handling his large business interests here. The boy is as proficient in the English and Chinese languages as is his father, and it is on the son that the father places great hopes for the future. Seid Gain will conduct his father's business when the old gentleman reaches the time of life where he will want to retire and enjoy the fruits of his industry in travel and recreation.