Civic Pride

CIVIC PRIDE
Milwaukie Citizens Who Made (and Make) a Difference

Milwaukie has a long history of citizen involvement, through volunteer projects, business ventures, and political involvement. Many of the stories aren't often told, and it's surprising as well as refreshing to look back at the lives of some of the people who have played a significant role in the development of Milwaukie. Especially as we celebrate the City's Centennial, it's important to remember those ordinary people who wound up doing extraordinary things for one simple reason: because they tried. Their examples remind us that it doesn't take an expert to get things done, and that we are all capable of contributing something unique that can have a lasting, positive impact on the progression of Milwaukie over the next century. 

ANNIE ROSS ROBERTS, wife to Thomas Roberts, was known for her generosity to local charities, as well as for her honorary position as a volunteer Milwaukie firefighter. Though the extent of her participation in firefighting was limited to attending meetings, she illustrated the inscription on the bottom of her firefighter's plaque: "The measure of life is not length, but deeds of brotherly love." Roberts was active in public affairs, sponsoring the Portland Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and in her memory the Annie Ross House was established in 1986, the only emergency shelter for homeless families in Clackamas County. 

MAGGIE JOHNSON, wife to James Isaac Johnson, had seven children by the time she become active in community organizations. In 1911, she became the first secretary of the old Milwaukie Commercial club, later the Milwaukie Chamber of Commerce. Johnson was also a Milwaukie Grammar school PTA organizer, and she served as chairperson for the Red Cross in Milwaukie for 35 consecutive years. 

WILLIAM PERRY is a name Milwaukie's soda fountain regulars will remember. Owner of Perry Pharmacy, William Perry opened the pharmacy in 1914, which soon became famous in the Milwaukie area for its soda fountain. A September 1950 Enterprise Courier article reflects the importance of the Perry family to Milwaukie, stating that "the business grew consistently and Mr. And Mrs. Perry were taken into the hearts of Milwaukians for their sterling worth and for their contribution" to the local community. 

IVY AND ELDON SMITH of Milwaukie Candy Products were residents of Milwaukie during the Vietnam War. Their son, HALLIE SMITH, was a 1959 Milwaukie High graduate, and served in Vietnam. He was reported missing in action in January of 1968, when his RF-4 aircraft crashed in the mountains of South Vietnam. His disappearance prompted the larger community - including students in the local schools - to get involved in prisoner-of-war humanitarian efforts. Fifty thousand letters were received by Governor Tom McCall to be delivered to the North Vietnamese during upcoming peace talks. 

THE PEAKE FAMILY moved to Milwaukie in 1932, when they founded Peake Memorial Chapel. Both Eva and Silas Peake became immediately involved in local activities, working with the Milwaukie Garden Club, and Eva serving in various North Clackamas Community offices including the Daphne Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star, the Order of Amaranth, Rebekah Lodge and the Milwaukie Grange No. 68. 

BILL HUPP was inspired to make change for the better in Milwaukie and became an active member of the City Council in 1969. He served Milwaukie as Mayor for two terms in a row, winning the 1975 and '77 elections, but his community service didn't stop there. He has continued to serve his community in various ways throughout his life with the help and support of his wife, Ann. 

DOROTHY HESTER STENZEL, a Milwaukie High School graduate, had her first flying lesson in 1927 at the age of 17. Determined to become a pilot despite the popular belief that women shouldn't do such a thing, Stenzel made parachute jumps for 100 dollars to pay for flying lessons, and set a world record at Omaha Air Races in 1931, performing 56 inverted snap rolls. That same year, "Princess Kick A Hole in the Sky" was presented with a custom made Great Lakes airplane by B.F. Goodrich Co. and Great Lakes Aircraft Corp. She continued to fly, starting up her own flying school at Swan Island Airport, and retiring with 2,000 hours of flying in her log book. In 1988, Stenzel was inducted into the Pathfinder Hall of Fame by the Museum of Flight at Seattle's Boeing Field, the first woman ever to receive that honor. 

CAROLYN TOMEI watched as Elk Rock Island was beginning to deteriorate from misuse by summer patrons, and she decided to do something about it. She soon formed the Friends of Elk Rock Island, a group that was concerned with keeping the island free of litter and graffiti. Elk Rock Island was at the top of the list of the City's natural resources, and Tomei worked to make its importance known and its worth valued. 

NELL MARTIN was a mother of two sons, twice a widow, and worked as a hairdresser for 32 years before starting her work with the City of Milwaukie as a City Recorder in 1940. She was a member of the Milwaukie Historical Society, Milwaukie Friends of the Library, Milwaukie Community Club, Milwaukie Businesswomens Club, Daughters of the American Legion, and Oregon Historical Society. She became so valuable to the city that after her retirement, the position of treasurer-recorder was created so that Nell could continue on a semi-retired basis and attend all city council meetings, which she did until her death in 1966. 

    Do you feel inspired by these stories? Start your own story today, and get involved with the Milwaukie Centennial celebration! Contact Kathy Rose at 503-655-3120 and find out how you can serve your community, helping to make Milwaukie even better!


Last updated: 09/29/2008

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