Hines, H. K. "An Illustrated History of the State of Oregon." Chicago: Lewis
Pub. Co. 1893.  p. 710.

WILLIAM PFUNDER

     Is the founder of one of the oldest and most reputable drug houses of the
city of Portland.  He was born in Mullheim, Baden, Germany, April 17, 1840,
where his ancestors had lived for generations, and were prominently connected
with the Government in the mail service department.  He received his elementary
education in the schools of Baden, and at the age of thirteen years, was taken
by his uncle, William Gebhard, a distinguished chemist and druggist at Arau;
after three years of study and practice, and a year at Basel, he was graduated
in 1857.  Mr. Pfunder then followed the profession in various localities for
seven years, continuing his investigations and practice.  Emigrating to America,
in 1864, he found in New York city employment with representative houses of the
metropolis.  In 1869 he pushed on to the Pacific coast on account of rheumatic
troubles, and after testing the climatic merits of Los Angeles and San
Francisco, Mr. Pfunder came to Portland, and for three years was employed in the
pioneer drug store of Charles Woodward, where he became thoroughly familiar with
American customs and business methods.
     In October following the conflagration of 1873 Mr. Pfunder began business
by opening a drug store on the corner of First and Oak streets, which for two
years he conducted very successfully.  Increasing patronage demanded improved
facilities, so he purchased the stock and good-will of Smith & Davis, and
removed to the corner of First and Ash streets, where he remained until June,
1890.  This district being gradually given over to wholesale houses, Mr. Pfunder
secured his present spacious quarters in the Worcester Block which are
handsomely fitted up in the latest and most approved style.  He has devoted much
time to the study of chemistry and botany, and in the herbs of Oregon he has
discovered many life giving and life sustaining properties.  In 1879 he
succeeded in compounding a medicine, which is used as a blood purifier; the
results were so satisfactory that he patented the medicine, now manufactured in
large quantities and sold on the market as Pfunder's Oregon Blood Purifier.  His
cough balsam, asthma cure, iron bitters and ague mixture have also gained wide
popularity.  He also manufactures marble soda-water apparatus and Oregon fruit
syrups, which have gained favor for their purity and natural flavors.
     Mr. Pfunder was married in 1876, to Miss Julia Weiser, a native of the
Golden State, and of this union one child has been born, named Marie Julian; the
family reside at the corner of Sixth and Couch streets.  Mr. Pfunder is the
owner of the Depot Hotel, and in 1870 he bought a farm of 160 acres in Columbia
county, valuable as timberland, and there discovered a mineral from which an
excellent fire-proof paint may be manufactured; he owns eighty acres on Hood
river, and fine city property at Spokane, Olympia and Tacoma; he also has mining
interests at Dominion Hill and in Okanogan county.  He is a member of the blue
lodge, chapter and Scottish-rite degree of Masonry, and of the Grand Encampment,
I.O.O.F.; he is also connected with the A.O.U.W.  He is vice-president of the
German hospital, and is a member of the American and Oregon Pharmaceutical
societies, and many other charitable and philanthropic organizations.
 
 
Transcriber's additional notes:
 
"Portrait and Biographical Record of Portland and Vicinity, Oregon"
Authors: "a compilation of this work....by a number of writers"
Chapman Publishing Co; Chicago; 1903; Page 364
 
Part of the biography of Charles Lester Large, M.D. (page 363-364)
 
     "Dr. Large was reared principally in Lafayette, and his active career began
at the age of fifteen, when he entered the drug store of Dr. H. B. Littlefield,
remaining there for one year.  From 1875 until 1877 he was in the employ of
William PFUNDER, druggist, and thereafter entered the College of Physicians and
Surgeons at Keokuk, Iowa, from which he was duly graduated in the class of
1880."

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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in September 2005 by Diana Smith.
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.