Page:Pen Pictures of Representative Men of Oregon.djvu/78



38

streets. He was a member aud President of the Common Council in 1855-6, and has represented the third ward in that body several terms since. He was a member of the board of experts appointed to effect a settlement be- tween the United States Government and the Hudson Bay Company m 1865-6. He was elected a member of the House from Multnomah county in 1870 and again in 1882. He has been twice married, his first wife being Miss Elizabeth Talbot, to whom he was united in 1854, and who died in 1859. In 18G0 he was married to Mrs. Eliza A. Northop, of Portland. They haveafamUyof five children, one being married. Mr. Carson is a con- sistent member of the Congregational Church and contributes liberally to its support. He is also one of the oldest members of Samaritan Lodge, No. 2, 1. O. O. F., of Portland. He is rather tall, of commanding physique, full face, beaming with health aud good nature, pleasant features, brown eyes, smooth chin aud light side-whiskers and gray, bushy hair. He is a pleasant man to converse with and is not cold or distant with new-made friends, and you are favorably impressed with him upon even short acquaintance- ship. He made a host of new friends among his colleagues in the House, and we have no hesitancy in predicting that his legislative career has not yet ended.

HON. WILLIAM P KEADY.

Among the many creditable Representatives elected to the Legislature just closed, by the Republicans, there is none more worthy of commendation than Hon. W. P. Keady, Representative from Benton county. He was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, April 1, 1850, and when but three years of age removed with his ptarents to Illinois in 1853, and settled in Iro- quois county, within the malarial confines of the Grand Prairie. Here he learned the printer's trade in his father's office, who at the time was editor and publisher of the " Iroquois Times." He came to California in 1869, where he worked at his trade and found liis Avay to Oregon in 1872, and settled at Salem, where he resided for several years and was a power in politics from the very outset. He followed his trade, however, and was engaged in various enterprises in connection therewith, including the jjublication of the " Daily Statesman," four years' incumbency of the foremanship in the State prkiting office, establishment and publication for sevei'al months of the "Oregon Educational Monthly," In 1879 he went to Corvallis and en- tered into partnei ship with Hon. W. B. Carter, then State Printer, in a job printing office. Mr. Carter died in 1880 and Mr. Keady was appointed State Printer, by Gov. Thayer, to fill the vacancy then existiug. Mr. Keady has a very thorough knowledge of the " art preservative,'' aud has been in a very great manner instrumental in pointing out and correcting the abuses of the law governing the State work, and has acted as expert on several occasions by special appointment on behalf of the State. In 1881 he was appointed paymaster and right-of-way agent for the Oregon Pacific Rail- road Company, in which capacitv he gave very general satisfaction. In 1882 he received the nomination as Representative from Benton county, and was elected by a handsome majority. He has never been an aspirant for public office, but in the discharge of his official duties he has been honest

Yj