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Ben Selling

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Ben Selling
27th Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives
In office
1915–1917
Preceded byClifton N. McArthur
Succeeded byRobert N. Stanfield
MajorityRepublican Party
Member of the Oregon House of Representatives from the 18th District
In office
1915–1917
Preceded byRobert W. Hagood
Succeeded byA. C. Callen
ConstituencyClackamas and Multnomah counties
President of the Oregon Senate
In office
1911–1913
Preceded byJay Bowerman
Succeeded byDonald Malarkey
MajorityRepublican Party
Member of the Oregon State Senate from the 1st District
In office
1911–1913
Member of the Oregon State Senate from the 13th District
In office
1909–1911
Personal details
Born1852
Died1931
Oregon
Political partyRepublican Party

Ben Selling (1852[1] or April 29, 1853 – 1931) was a businessman, philanthropist, civil rights advocate, and politician in Portland, Oregon, United States. He was a noted leader in the Jewish community, and he owned a clothing store in downtown Portland.[2]

Early life

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Selling was born in San Francisco, California.[2] His parents, Caroline Auerbach and Philip Selling, were both German immigrants.[3][4][5] He arrived in Portland with his family circa 1862. There, his father ran a general merchandise store. Selling attended the Beth Israel Religious School and Portland Academy. Because his father needed his help in the store, Selling was unable to finish his education at Portland Academy.[6][2]

Marriage and family

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Selling married Matilda Hess on March 14, 1880 in San Francisco.[6][7] Like her husband, Matilda Hess Selling was deeply involved in Portland's Jewish community. She was a member of the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW), serving as the president of its Portland chapter from 1906 to 1908.[8][9] From 1900 to 1930, she was also president of the sewing school at Neighborhood House, a community organization founded by the NCJW.[10][9] The Sellings had two children; Rae Selling Berry, born in 1881, and Laurence Selling, born in 1882.[11][12][13]

Businesses

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In 1881, Selling opened a boot and shoe business called Akin, Selling & Company. By 1903, he was running a clothing store called Ben Selling, Clothier.[1][14] He was regarded as "the outstanding Jewish leader in Portland", receiving the first First Citizen Award from the Portland Realty Board in 1928.[1] Portland historian E. Kimbark MacColl remarked the choice of Selling was ironic because he "possessed none of the acquisitive instincts ... associated with the realty trade."[1]

Philanthropy

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Selling was known for his philanthropy. He organized kitchens for the unemployed during the Panic of 1893 and Panic of 1907, serving over 450,000 meals.[1] In 1914, he founded the Working Men's Club, which sold meals for five cents apiece to homeless and unemployed men. The club also provided some meals at no cost.[15] The Working Men's Club included an employment bureau, which, according to the Oregon Daily Journal, helped 600 to 700 men find work within a year of opening.[16][17] Selling closed the club in 1916 due to the improved economy. The Oregonian stated that it had served nearly 400,000 meals.[18]

In January 1916, Selling became treasurer of a committee to raise funds for Jews in Eastern Europe displaced by World War I.[19] He asked Portlanders of all religions to donate to the cause, saying that "for the first time in 50 years I am asking non-Jews to help my people."[20] The committee raised more than $14,000 within two months.[21]

Selling heavily supported the Armenian Relief Society, bought $400,000 in Liberty Bonds during World War I, and supported the Waverly Baby Home and Jewish Neighborhood House, both in Portland.[1] MacColl also stated "Suffice it to say, Ben Selling probably gave away more money in proportion to his income than any Oregon citizen since the state was founded."[1]

Political career

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He served on the Port of Portland Commission, then on the Portland Dock Commission.[1] After being elected to the Oregon State Senate in 1910, he served as President of the Senate for one session in 1911.[2][22] He was also Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives for one session, 1915.[2][22] He ran for the United States Senate in 1912, losing by a few hundred votes to Harry Lane.[2]

Death and legacy

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Selling died on January 15, 1931 of bronchial pneumonia.[23] In his will, he left a $100,000 trust fund to provide scholarships for college students.[24] After his death, four of his 40 employees sued his estate, saying he had promised the business to them.[1] Their claims were rejected, as Selling was known for being honest and writing everything down.[1]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j MacColl, E. Kimbark (1979). The Growth of a City: Power and Politics in Portland, Oregon 1915-1950. Portland, Oregon: The Georgian Press. ISBN 0-9603408-1-5.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Friedman, Elaine S. "Ben Selling". The Oregon Encyclopedia.
  3. ^ "Society". The Oregonian. 18 August 1901. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
  4. ^ "Mrs. Selling Is Dead". The Oregonian. 29 October 1914. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
  5. ^ "Many Pioneers Die". The Oregonian. 14 February 1915. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
  6. ^ a b Berkowitz, Henry J. (30 September 1932). "Ben Selling". The American Jewish Year Book. 33: 156. JSTOR 23601440 – via JSTOR.
  7. ^ ""Will Provides For $100,000 Trust Fund"". La Grande Evening Observer. 21 January 1931. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
  8. ^ "Work of Jewish Women". The Oregonian. 7 May 1908. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
  9. ^ a b Mershon, Helen L. (1 December 1981). "Council of Jewish Women marks 85th anniversary". The Oregonian. p. 18.
  10. ^ Mowrey, Freda J. (12 October 1946). "Jewish Group Urged Onward". The Oregonian. p. 8.
  11. ^ Hazen, David W. (18 March 1931). "It's the Birthday of- Dr. Lawrence Selling, Who Was Born in Portland in 1882". The Oregonian. p. 9.
  12. ^ "Student Loan Fund in Selling's Will". The Oregonian. 21 January 1931. pp. 1, 5.
  13. ^ "Rae Selling Berry Seed Bank & Plant Conservation Program: History". Portland State University. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
  14. ^ "The Best $3.00 Hat In The World". The Oregon Daily Journal. 11 March 1903. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
  15. ^ Owen, C. Jerrold (15 November 1914). ""Down And Out" Working Men Find Cheer At Ben Selling's "Resort"". The Oregonian. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  16. ^ "Work Provided For Some Unemployed". The Oregon Daily Journal. 15 December 1914. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  17. ^ "Working Men's Club To Give Celebration". The Oregon Daily Journal. 15 November 1915. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  18. ^ "Memories Of Hard Times Sway Many". The Oregonian. 5 November 1916. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  19. ^ "Jewish Campaign Begins Thursday". The Oregonian. 25 January 1916. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  20. ^ "Jewish Relief Fund Grows Rapidly As Checks And Cash Contributions Pour Into Office of Treasurer Ben Selling". The Oregon Daily Journal. 30 January 1916. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  21. ^ "Jewish Fund Is $14,000". The Oregonian. 1 March 1916. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  22. ^ a b "Oregon Secretary of State".
  23. ^ "Selling Funeral Is Slated Sunday". The Oregon Statesman. 16 January 1931. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
  24. ^ "Leaves Trust For Students". The Evening Herald. 20 January 1931. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
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Party political offices
First Republican nominee for U.S. Senator from Oregon
(Class 2)
1913 		Succeeded by
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