Biography of Henry Failing, 1899, State of Oregon
Surnames: Failing, Corbett

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Transcribed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
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Oregon Native Son, Vol. 1, May 1899, page 57-58

HENRY FAILING

The subject of this sketch was born in New York city, January 17, 1834, and
was educated in the public schools of that city. He began his business career
at the early age of 12 years in a French importing and shipping house. Two
years later he entered the employ of Eno, Mahoney & Co., one of the largest
wholesale dry goods establishments in the country. He remained there as
assistant bookkeeper, also in charge of the foreign business, until 1851, when
he accompanied his father to Oregon, with whom he was associated in
establishig the firm of J. Failing & Co., wholesale dealers in general
merchandise. In 1864 his father retired from business, after which he
conducted it alone. In 1868 he began to limit his stock to wholesale hardware
and iron supplies. In 1871 his business was consolidated with that ofH. W.
Corbett, under the firm name of Corbett. Failing & Co. In 1869 he and Mr.
Corbett purchased nearly all the stock of the First National bank. which
institntion was the first established in Oregon under the national banking
act, and for a long time was the only one west of the Rocky mountains.

Mr. Failing confined himself closely to his own business and had very little
to do with politics. However, he took a deep interest in such matters, and on
national issues was an enthusiastic republican. He opposed the idea of
politics in local affairs, and in 1864 was elected mayor on the citizens’
ticket. He was re-elected in 1865 and again in 1872. In the act of the
legislature in 1886 creating the Portland water committee, he was named as a
member, and was immediately thereafter elected chairman, a position held until
his death. In 1887 the city purchased the Portland Water Company, after which
time he served continually as chairman of the operating committee, and during
all those years, with four exceptions, he presided over every monthly and
special meeting of both the commission and the operating committee. Every
bill, pay-roll or other account paid was carefully examined by him. At the
close of each year he prepared for the ensuing year an estimate of the
probable expense of maintaining, improving and operating the water works, as
also an estimate of the rates to be charged for water, in order to insure an
income sufficient to pay such expense, together with the interest in water
bonds. These estimates were prepared with so much care that at the  close of
the year the actual receipts and disbursements were found to vary but slightly
from the amounts estimated. He became a member of the board of directors of
the Portland library in 1872, and was its president from May, 1893, giving to
its management exactly the same close attention that he gave to his own
private interests. He was a member of the congregation of the First Baptist
church from its reorganization in the early '60s, and trustee for nearly
thirty years. To his interest and financial ability is due a large share of
the church’s prosperity, for to its affairs he gave through practically its
entire history as close attention as to his own business. It is probably due
to his belief and wishes in the matter that pews have always been kept free,
and not rented for the purpose of securing a church revenue. He handled an
enormous amount of trust funds, the accounts of which were kept in his own
handwriting. He also thus prepared all reports of the various public bodies on
which he served. He was a member of the old volunteer fire department, and the
organization of the Exempt Firemen’s Association in 1873 grew out of a
suggestion made by him. He was a member of the Port of Portland commission
from 1891 until he resigned in 1897. He was named as one of the City Hall
commission, but declined, owing to pressure of other business. For years he
was in the Oregon Railway & Navigation directory, and at the time of his death
was president of the Northern Pacific Terminal Company. In 1882 he was
appointed a regent of the state university, and in 1893 was made president of
the board. For twenty-eight years he was trustee and treasurer of Pacific
university. He was also trustee of the deaf-mute school of Salem, trustee and
treasurer of the Children's Home. Many friends appointed him executor of their
wills, a trust, with one single exception, always accepted and attended to
with his usual close attention and care, for which he refused pay, although
the legal fees would have amounted to $75,000. When urged to accept something
for his services, he would compromise by allowing the parties to make a
donation in their own names to some charitable institution.

For years he was identified with the Pioneer Association, either as a director
or an officer, and at his death was its treasurer. During fifteen years of the
time he contributed $100 per year for its maintenance, and was among the most
active of those who endeavored to make the annual gatherings pleasurable to
the pioneers.

Mr. Failing in youth is described by those who knew him as a quiet,
industrious lad, wholly given up to business, genial and kind to his
associates, a boy who never sowed wild oats or lounged around where coarse
jokes were the stock in trade. As he grew older, business cares rested
gracefully on his shoulders, and brought with them a constantly increasing
confidence of the public. No man ever accused him of a mean or dishonorable
act. His life was a bright example of clean, straightforward manhood, making
him a pillar of strength in his adopted city and state.

On November 8, 1898, Mr. Failing died at his residence in this city of heart
disease, complicated with other troubles. On October 21, 1858, he married Miss
Emily Phelps Corbett, sister of Hon. H. W. Corbett, who died in July, 1870.
Three little children were left him at this time, who grew to womanhood,
softened the grief of a stricken father and made of his house of mourning a
home where joy and gladness came again. The penalty of love is sorrow. As
loving hands smoothed the way before him and brightened his home, so sorrow
has claimed the penalty, and grief dwells whence joy has flown.