personal
i:V.t
efforts, promises to be a brilliant one, and a host of warm [xMsonal friendH wish him abundant success.
HON. GEORGE A. STEEL, The present efficient and courteous Nasby of Porthuiil, is a <,'entK'niati whose enterprise, energy and prominence in public life have made his name fam- iliar from one end of our State to the other. He has been endowed with sufficient ambition to give him pride in prominence, and with ample integ- rity to avoid coalition with the dregs of i)olitical life which so often tarnish and ruin the reputation of less honorable men. Mi-. Steel was born in Stafford Ohio in 1846. He came to Oregon in 1863, when sixteen years of age, in com- pany with Captain J. D. Merryman, now of Astoria. He was for a short time a clerk in the Portland postoifice under E. G. Randall, but shortly af- terwards accepted the position of Secretary of the old Oregon Iron Works. He was afterwards appointed accountant in Ladd it Tilton's bank, which responsible position be held for a period of five years. In 1870 he was elect- ed Treasurer of Multnomah county, and here again he displayed his adapt- ability to the oft-times ardutms duties of public life. In 1871, in partner- ship with J. K. Gil], he purchased the interest of Harris & Holmati in the stationery business, and the new firm of Gill & Steel at once found favor with the public. They subsequently bought out Bancroft & Morse, another leading firm of this city, and extended their business interests accordingly, Mr. F. A. Bancroft entering the firm at that time. Close attention to the wants of trade and fair dealing with the public caused their business to in- crease rapidly. Mr. Steel eventually bougnt out his partners, and for some time conducted the business under the firm name of G. A. Steel Sc Co. Un- fortunate investments in real estate in 1872 embarrassed Ijira financially, but with the indomitable phick and perseverance for which he is noted, he weathered the storm, and although he lost heavily he liquidated Ids debts honorably, paying dollar for dollar, and gained new friends by his manly course in so trying a period of his life. The reverse of fortune was a severe one, but it did not discourage Mr. Steel by any means. Disposing of his goods at a great sacrifice, he closed out his business, enjoying the confidence and esteem of all business men with whom he had had commercial dealings. He became an active worker in politics in 1876, was elected Chairman of the Republican State Central Committee and his management of the hotly con- tested campaign of that year was indicative of marked executive al)ility. In January, 1877, Mr. Steel was appointed Special Agent of the Postoflice Department for the Northwest Coast, and here, as elsewhere, he showed en- ergy, enterprise and untiring industry. He resigned the position in 1879 and was at once appointed Deputy Collector of Customs at Portland, under Hon. John Kelly, where he remained until September, 1880. In March, 1881, his name was sent to the Senate by President Garfield for the po- sition of Postmaster at Portland. Vexatious delays, occurring, he did not take charge of the office until some time afterwards, and he has since Ijeen reap- pointed by President Arthur for four years, his appointment being uuuui- mously confirmed by the Senate. His management of the office has l)eeu
