Gaston, Joseph. "Portland, Oregon Its History and Builders." Vol. 3. Chicago and Portland, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911. p. 469. THOMAS H. BECHILL Thomas H. Bechill is engaged in the general contracting business in Portland, making a specialty of street grading, sewer and bridge work. He is numbered among those business men who advancement has had its root in industry, perseverance and unfaltering determination. He received no financial assistance when he started out in life on his own account, but has gradually worked his way upward as he has proved his worth and capability. He was born in London, Canada, June 30, 1865, and his parents, John and Elizabeth (James) Bechill, were also natives of that country. He is indebted to the public school system of Canada for the educational privileges which he enjoyed. He remained under the parental roof until fifteen years of age, when he started out in life on his own account, being employed for some years in the lumber business in the states of Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. Later he turned his attention to railroading and became familiar with the work in various branches of the operative department. He was first employed as engine wiper in the roundhouse of the Flint Pere Marquette Railway Company, but his close application and diligence soon won him promotion, and he was made successively fireman and engineer. He followed railroading until he came to Oregon the first time, in 1889. In fact, he was for a short period connected with railroad interests in this state but soon went to Fargo, North Dakota. He returned to Oregon, however, in 1891 and has since lived in Portland with the exception of a brief period of four years spent in Washington. About 1901 he began contracting in street grading, sewer and bridge work, and has continued in this line through the intervening period of nine years. Gradually he has advanced until his business has reached extensive and profitable proportions. Mr. Bechill was married October 31, 1892, to Miss Minnie Gwynne, a daughter of Harold and Sarah (Coffman) Gwynne. Mrs. Bechill is a native of Oregon, her grandparents having come across the plains with ox teams in 1847. This was prior to the period when gold was discovered in California, and it was not a mad rush for wealth that brought the emigrants of the early days to the Pacific coast, but the hope of establishing homes and finding opportunity for business progress in legitimate lines of trade and activity. Five children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Bechill: George. Frederick, Andrew J., Sarah Isabel and William A. Mr. Bechill belongs to the Elks and Odd Fellows lodges and is also a Royal Arch Mason. He finds pleasant associations with his brethren of those fraternities and they recognize in him qualities that are in consistent harmony with the teachings and purposes of those orders. His political endorsement is given to the republican party. His chief recreations are hunting and fishing, and he is a patron of all out of door sports. Besides his city property, he has a ranch in Clackamas county. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in April 2008 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.