Lockley, Fred. "History of the Columbia River Valley, From The Dalles to the Sea." Vol. 3. S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1928. p. 345. PAUL VAN FRIDAGH When Paul van Fridagh passed away on July 11, 1925, there was deep and widespread regret in Portland, which lost one of its most enterprising and capable business men and a native son whose record was a credit to the city. He was born December 29, 1864, and his father, Prosper van Fridagh, was a native of Holland. He was born July 24, 1824, and was the son of an army officer who died in Dutch Java. The mother was a native of Germany and after her husband's death returned to that country, in which Prosper van Fridagh was reared. In compliance with laws of Germany he joined the army, in which he served during 1849, and was in sympathy with the revolutionists. Owing to his liberal education he was appointed secretary to the officer in command of the fort at Rastatt, where a number of revolutionists were imprisoned. In the course of his secretarial work he handled some papers upon which were drawn maps and plans showing secret passages from the fort and was thus enabled to aid some of the prisoners in making their escape from the fort. In their haste the refugees left behind some of the plans which Mr. van Fridagh had copied in his own handwriting and which they had used in obtaining their liberty. Learning that these papers had been found and knowing that his life was in great danger, Mr. van Fridagh left the army, making his way across the frontier into France and thence to Belgium, where he boarded a vessel bound for the United States. For a year he worked in a store in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and in 1851 went to Minnesota. While a soldier in the German army Mr. van Fridagh had plighted his troth to Miss Elizabeth Rumpen, who joined him in this country, and they were married in Milwaukee in 1851. In the same year they established their home in St. Paul, which then contained but four families, and Mr. van Fridagh became a commission merchant, handling farm produce. Fortune at first favored him but owing to two years' crop failures he was unable to make collections and discontinued the business. Through a brother of Factor Franchette of the Hudson's Bay Company he learned much concerning the great Oregon country and decided to profit by the opportunities offered in the Pacific northwest. Accompanied by his family, Mr. van Fridagh left St. Paul in 1860, proceeding down the Mississippi river and across the Gulf of Mexico, and after traversing the isthmus of Panama sailed for San Francisco. A year was spent in that city and in 1861 he located in Portland, opening a small dry goods and millinery store in the Harker building on Front street, near Yamhill. At that time sill business centered on Front street, as transportation was largely by the waterways, and later Mr. van Fridagh removed to No. 109 First street. In 1883 he secured a more desirable location at the corner of Third and Pine streets and there successfully conducted the business until 1887, when he retired. A progressive merchant of high standing, he contributed his full quota toward the commercial development of Portland during the pioneer epoch in its history and in September, 1902, was called to his final rest. Paul van Fridagh was a member of a family of eight children and received his education in private schools of Portland, also attending a business college. For ten years he was a member of the clerical force of the Oregon Railroad & Navigation Company, working in the auditor's office, and in 1890 entered the employ of Boyd & Arnold, with whom he gained valuable experience in the fire insurance business. Eventually he was admitted to a partnership, becoming a member of the firm of Hall & van Fridagh, and later acquired control of the business. The name was then changed to van Fridagh & Company, of which he served as president until his death, limiting his activities to the sale of fire insurance of wbicli he had a highly specialized knowledge. He enjoyed his work and through concentrated effort and efficient management created a business of extensive proportions, ranking with the leading insurance men of the city. Mr. van Fridagh's first wife was Carolyn Wilson, who died in 1902, leaving a daughter, Hortense, who is now Mrs. L. W. Seidert, of McMinnville, Oregon. Mr. van Fridagh's second union was with Mrs. Gertrude McMillen, to whom he was married October 5, 1910, in Portland. By her first husband, Kenneth McMillen, she had a son, Murl, who died July 11. 192G, leaving a widow, Mrs. Leta (Christensen) McMillen, and a son, Roderick. Mr. van Fridagh was a devoted husband and during the last sixteen years of his life was never separated from his wife for even one day. Theirs was an ideal union. Mr. van Fridagh was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and his religions views were in harmony with the doctrines of Trinity Protestant Episcopal church. He loved Oregon and its people and heartily cooperated in movements for the betterment of his city and state. His success was the merited reward of a life of tireless industry, and the firmness, frankness and strength of his character won for him a high place in the esteem of his fellowmen. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in April 2009 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.