Lockley, Fred. "History of the Columbia River Valley, From The Dalles to the Sea." Vol. 2. S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1928. p. 735. WILLIAM C. ALDERSON No name is more prominent in the educational circles of Multnomah county than that of William C. Alderson, who has been engaged in school work for forty years and is now giving splendid and appreciated service as county superintendent of schools, in which capacity he has shown a progressive spirit that has been effective in promoting the educational interests of the county. Mr. Alderson was born in Seattle, King county, Washington, on the 16th of March, 1864, and is a son of Christopher and Mary (Royal) Alderson. His father was born in Yorkshire, England, received a good education, and in 1851 came to the United States. He crossed the plains to Oregon in 1852 and for awhile engaged in mining in Jackson county. Shortly afterwards he became an ordained minister of the Methodist Episcopal church and was assigned to the church at Roseburg, this state. Later he was transferred to Seattle, Washington, where he was serving when his son, William C., was born. In the following September he returned to Oregon and held pastorates in this state to the time of his death, being killed by a train in 1907. In 1861, in Multnomah county, he was married to Mary Royal, who was born in Illinois and is a daughter of Charles and Mary Royal. Her family came across the plains in 1852 and took up a donation land claim in Multnomah county, where her father followed agricultural pursuits until his retirement. Both parents died when past eighty years of age. Mrs. Alderson now, at the age of eighty-six years, resides with her daughter, Edith, a teacher in the city schools. William C. Alderson received his early education in the public schools and graduated from Willamette University with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1889. He paid his way through college by establishing the first wood saw in Salem, which he operated until leaving college. Also while attending college he taught school at Crawfordsville, Linn county. After his graduation he taught one year in the school at Hubbard, Marion county, Oregon, and in 1892 came to Portland as the first principal of the Clinton-Kelly public school. He served afterwards successively as the principal of the Sellwood, Peninsula and Holman public schools. In 1900 he organized the night public school in this city and in 1909 organized the first night high school, having charge of both schools until 1917, in which year he was elected county superintendent of schools, in which position he has, by successive reelections, served to the present time, and is now a candidate for another term. He has been in the service of the schools of Multnomah county longer than any man except C. E. Jamison, of the Shattuck school and is one of the veteran educators of Oregon. He keeps closely in touch with advanced educational methods and has devoted himself indefatigably to the advancement of the schools of the county. He is a strong advocate of the consolidation and proper supervision of the elementary schools and is now planning for the consolidation of the junior high schools of the county, from the viewpoint of both economy and efficiency. In 1926 Mr. Alderson was a candidate for state superintendent of schools and was the only candidate for a state office from Multnomah county entire community. Mr. Alderson is a member of Washington Lodge, No. 46, A. F. & A. M.; Washington Chapter, R. A. M.; Washington Commandery, K. T.; Al Kader Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S.; the Knights of Pythias, in which he has passed through the chairs; the Dramatic Order Knights of Khorassan, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Woodmen of the World, and also belongs to the Chamber of Commerce and the Progressive Business Men's Club. Because of his sterling character, his high attainments and effective public service, as well as for his cordial and kindly manner, he commands the uniform confidence and esteem of the people of his city and county. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in April 2007 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.