George M Partridge
Submitted by:  Lynn Mack
 
One of the important business enterprises of Polk county is the
Central Clay Products Company of Monmouth, specializing in the
manufacture of building and drain tile.  Of this corporation George M.
PARTRIDGE is secretary-treasurer and manager and is most capably
supervising the interests under his charge, for he is thoroughly
familiar with every phase of the business, having devoted his life to
the manufacture of brick.  He is a man of resolute spirit, whose plans
are well defined and carefully thought out and in their execution he
is prompt and enterprising.
 
Mr. PARTRIDGE was born in Evansville, Douglas county, Minnesota, June
11, 1871, and is a son of George and Nancy (MCLELLAN) PARTRIDGE,
natives of Canada.  About 1853 the father crossed the border into the
United States, becoming a resident of Hastings, Minnesota, where he
engaged in the manufacture of brick until after the period of the
Civil war.  He then went to Douglas county, Minnesota, where he took
up a homestead, becoming one of the first settlers in that part of the
state.  He cleared and developed his claim, which he cultivated for a
few years, subsequently devoting his attention to the manufacture of
brick at various points in Minnesota until 1850, when he removed to
Evansville, that state, where he has since lived retired in the
enjoyment of a well earned rest.  He has reached the advanced age of
eighty-seven years, but the mother passed away at River Falls,
Wisconsin, in 1874.  He is an honored veteran of the Civil war,
serving for three years and three months as a member of the Thirtieth
Wisconsin Infantry, enduring the hardships and privations of military
life in order to aid in preserving the Union.  He has led an upright
and honorable life and is held in the highest esteem by all who know
him.
 
His son, George M. PARTRIDGE, was reared and educated in Douglas
county, Minnesota, and under the able instruction of his father he
learned every detail in relation to the manufacture of brick.  He
remained at home until he reached the age of twenty-six years, when he
secured work in the lumber camps and was thus employed for two years.
On the expiration of that period he went to Cando, North Dakota, where
for a year was engaged in the manufacture of brick, and then conducted
a similar enterprise in Moorhead, Minnesota, for ten years.  In 1907
he came to Oregon, first locating at Marshfield, where he engaged in
prospecting for clay, but not meeting with success in his efforts, he
went to Willamina, in Yamhill county, where for some time he was
employed in a brick manufacturing plant. Later he became manager of a
similar enterprise at Albany, Oregon and subsequently went to Dallas,
where for five years he engaged in the manufacture of brick.  In the
spring of 1917 he sold his plant and removed to Monmouth, where he
established the brick and tile works.  In July, 1920, the company was
incorporated with R. U. SLEETQUIST as the president and Mr. PARTRIDGE
as secretary-treasurer and manager and their business is enjoying a
steady and substantial growth, owing to the progressive methods
employed by the firm and the excellence of the products which they
manufacture.  They have a thoroughly modern plant, equipped with all
necessary appliances for the manufacture of building and drain tile,
and their trade is constantly increasing.  Mr. PARTRIDGE is also
cultivating a two-acre tract devoted to the raising of strawberries,
turning to horticultural pursuits as a means of recreation from the
cares of business.  He is a man of sound judgment and undaunted
enterprise and in the conduct of his business interests is meeting
with a gratifying measure of success.
 
On the 27th of December, 1900, Mr. PARTRIDGE was united in marriage to
Miss Cassie SHAVER, a daughter of James and Elizabeth (HAINOR) SHAVER,
natives of Pennsylvania, who became pioneers of Minnesota, taking up
their residence in that state when the present metropolitan city of
Minneapolis had not yet emerged from villagehood, the grandmother of
Mrs. Partridge conducting the first boarding house in the city.   The
father took up land in the state which he cleared and improved,
devoting a number of years to its cultivation, and subsequently he
engaged in the furniture business at Red Wing, Minnesota, with which
he was identified for many years, and at length retired, taking up his
abode with his son-in-law, Mr. Partridge, with whom he continued to
reside during his remaining years.  He was for four years in the
regular army, serving as first lieutenant with the Eleventh Minnesota
Regiment.  He passed away on the 31st of October, 1916, and the mother
's demise occurred in 1907.  Mr. and Mrs. PARTRIDGE have become the
parents of five children namely:  James M., Beth, Phillip, Dorothy and
Douglas, all of whom are attending school, with the exception of the
youngest son.
 
In his political views Mr. PARTRIDGE is a republican, and fraternally
he is identified with the Yeomen, the Rebekahs and the Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, being also a member of the encampment.  His
close application to business and his unremitting energy have brought
him to the front in his chosen line of work and he ranks with the
substantial and progressive citizens of his community, enjoying the
respect and confidence of all with whom he has been brought into
contact.
 
History of Oregon, Biographical, Vol. III, The Pioneer Historical
Publishing Company, 1922,
Pages 729-730
 
 

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