Oregon Republican League: Elder Photos

Oregon Republican League:Republican League Register of Oregon, The Register Publishing Company, 1896, page 138.

MOFFETT, JAMES P., of Portland, was born in the city of Portland, Oregon, March 2, 1861, and is now in this thirty-sixth year, and in the flush of vigorous manhood. His ancestors were pioneers of 1845. His education was received at the old Portland Academy, the Bishop Scott Academy (Episcopal), and in the public schools of the city. After leaving school he commenced life in the office of the Home Mutual Fire Insurance Company, with which corporation he remained continuously for the period of fourteen year, rising from office boy to that of chief clerk and accountant, in which capacity he had 140 sun-agents reporting to him, and handled upwards of $200,000 a year in cash and accounts. His first advent into politics was in 1894, when the citizens of the Fourth Ward, the largest ward in the city, requested him to run for the position of councilman. He was elected by the largest vote of any councilman in the city, receiving over 1000 votes out of 1871 cast in the ward, and there were four other candidates in the field for the same office. The common council, of which Mr. Moffett is a member, was the first to take charge of the new City Hall. Mr. Moffett claims no credit, for he only did his duty in behalf of the taxpayers, and it is a matter of record that he has always been zealous in guarding their interests. The commendation of his constituents is his ample reward. Over a month ago he was importuned by his many friends to again be a candidate for re-election, but after returning thanks for the compliment paid him, respectfully declined the honor. Mr. Moffett has been attending the Law Department of the University of Oregon the past two years (night lectures), and has studied hard, and will go before the Supreme County in June for admission to the bar. He has always been a staunch and loyal Republican. Mr. Moffett, besides being chairman of the campaign committee of the Taxpayers’ League, is the vice-president of the Fourth Ward Republican Club, and active member of the Young Men’s Republican Club, and active member of the Multorpor Republicans Club, and belongs to the following orders: Portland Lodge of Elks, No. 142; Industry Lodge of Workmen, No. 8; Webfoot Camp of Woodmen, No. 65; Chinook Tribe of Redmen, No. 5, and is a Thirty-second Degree Mason and a Noble of the Mystic Shrine.