Biography of George Pope, 1899, State of Oregon Surnames: Pope ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives (http://files.usgwarchives.net) to store the file permanently for free access and not to be removed separately without written permission. ************************************************************************ Transcribed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: W. David Samuelsen - January 2002 ************************************************************************ Oregon Native Son, Vol. 1, June 1899, page 115-116 CAPT. GEORGE POPE. Captain Pope was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, November 7, 1840. In his early life his mother died and he went to live with his grandfather. While with him he was sent to school and acquired a good education, as he was very studious and allowed nothing to interfere with his studies. At the age of 12 years he entered a shipbuilding establishment, remaining in that employ until he was 17, gaining a thorough knowledge of naval construction. His father came to the United States several years before he did, and became one of the earliest railroad engineers in the state of New York. Through this means he heard of America and the opportunities here for young men, and he made up his mind to try his fortunes in a new country. He therefore fixed upon the Pacific coast as the most desirable locality, and to it he came, locating in San Francisco, and engaged in business with his uncle, Roger Pope, who was an argonaut to California. In the summer of 1856 he came to Oregon, and was for some time connected with the survey of government lands. In 1860 he went East, and the Rebellion breaking out he entered the Union army and was sent to the Brooklyn navy-yard, where his knowledge of naval construction was at once recognized. He was then transferred to the line and continued to remain on the vessels of war until the close of the Rebellion. The Anchor line of steamships offering him the command of one of their vessels he entered their employ, plying between New York and Glasgow. In 1872 he associated himself with a brother and they built a ship for the Portland and Sandwich islands trade, but after they had sailed her around Cape Horn, and reached Portland the firm of Corbitt & Macleay induced them to sell her to them. He then entered the employ of that firm and made some 25 trips to the islands, when he concluded to remain on shore. He then opened an office as shipping agent, and by energetic and satisfactory dealings with shipowners. he soon obtained a very lucrative business. He represents Lloyd's, in the construction department, for both Oregon and Washington. Upon the formation of the naval battalion of the state, he was chosen lieutenant, which rank he continues to hold. He is the senior member of the firm of Pope, Anderson & Co., of Portland, shipping and commission agents.