Hendricks, Robert Jackson

LAST: Hendricks FIRST: Robert MID: Jackson

GENDER: M MAIDEN NAME: TITLE: Mr.

BORN: 6 May 1863 DIED: 19 Jan 1943 BURIED: 21 Jan 1943

ETHNIC: OCCUPATION: Newspaper Writer and Publisher

BIRTH PLACE : Polk Co., Oregon

DEATH PLACE: Salem, Marion Co., Oregon

NOTES:

OSBH DC (Marion County 1943) #69 - Robert Jackson Hendricks, male, widow of Emelie G., b. 6 May 1863 in Polk Co., Oregon, d. 19 Jan 1943 in Salem, Oregon (1810 Fairmount Ave) at the age of 79 y's 8 m's 13 d's, occupation - Newspaper writer and publisher, name of father J. Hendricks (b. Virginia), maiden name of mother G. Borney (?? - hard to read), interment IOOF 21 Jan, undertaker Barrick, informant Paul Hendricks of Salem, Oregon. In the 1938 Primary election he was a Marion County candidate for Governor of Oregon. See website for the Political Graveyard.

OBITUARY:

HENDRICKS, Robert Jackson

R. J. Hendricks Signs '30' to 63 Years of Editing.

Veteran Editor Served Widely.

Work for University, YMCA, Church, City, Recognized.

Word of the death Tuesday afternoon of R. J. Hendricks came as a surprise to men over the state who had worked for and with the veteran newspaperman and civic leader. To The Statesman on Tuesday came these expressions:

"For the past 50 years R. J. Hendricks had given unsparingly of his time and talent in the support of every movement for civic betterment. He was a charter member of the Salem YMCA and served continuously on the board of directors from the beginning of the work in Salem. He was a valued and untiring worker on the board of trustees of Willamette university. In his death Salem has lost an ardent advocate and loyal friend." - Paul B. Wallace, President YMCA board of directors and pormer president Willamette university trustees.

"Forty years ago Mr. Hendricks joined the first Congregational church. During the past half century he contributed freely of his time and his ability toward leadership and Christian work. The members of the church, young and old, knew him and loved him. His death will be mourned be all who have felt the warmth of his friendly guidance." - Dr. Egbert S. Oliver, State moderator, Congregational church.

"Long a member of the Salem Rotary club, Mr. Hendricks was faithful in attendance. All of us, the younger men as well as those older ones with whom he was most closely associated have missed him in his favorite place at the front of the room.: - Tinkham Gilbert, former president, Salem Rotary club.

"Mr. Hendricks will be long remembered for the constructive work he did for the state of Oregon and the city of Salem, and by the legion of those who were privilege to serve with him in those efforts." - Robert C. Notson, managing editor of The Oregonian, whose early reporting experience was with the Statesman.

"I was associated with 'Bob' Hendricks for 10 years and have never known a kinder man. He was an entertaining conversationalist, read widely and thought deeply. Age crept upon him slowly, due, I think, to two things, an unflagging industry and his never-failing interest in young people." - Stephen A. Stone, former Statesman managing editor and now city editor of The Capital Journal.

"No one ever had a better boss or a finer man to work for. He was generous to a fault. You might say he was his own worst enemy: He did so much for the community to his own detriment." - Ralph Glover, for 25 years in The Statesman business office, now, H. L. Stiff company credit manager.

"Mr. Hendricks unfailing cheerfulness and courtesy, his unequaled diligence and his sincere devotion to the best interests of the community and humanity in general, were and inspiring example to all who were associated with him in newspaper work." - Ralph C. Curtiss, state editor, The Statesman.

Oregon Statesman 20 Jan 1943 1:1.

Polk Native Dies; Rites Thursday

R. J. Hendrickson, editor emeritus of The Statesman, with which newspaper he had been associated for 58 years, died Tuesday afternoon at the home of his son, Paul R. Hendricks, Salem attorney.

Five weeks earlier he had sent his last "Bits for Breakfast" column to the printers, admitted feeling unwell and had gone home and to bed with pneumonia, which next day sent him to the hospital. Two weeks ago, he was able to return to his son's home, but the anticipated convalescence did not follow.

Funeral services are to be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday from the Clough-Barrick chapel, with interment in the Odd Fellow cemetery.

Seventy nine years old at the time of his death, Mr. Hendricks had not limited his working years to the newspaper profession, although he had always swung back to his desk in The Statesman office. He was from 1892 to 1896 the first superintendent of the state training school for boys, then situated east of Salem, spending his evenings there studying law.

For a year after his return to the city to make his home he practices law here. At the time of the Spanish American war he was called to 'Portland to serve for 18 months as "US appraiser of customs." In 1910 he was director of the census for a large portion or western Oregon, filling the same position in 1930, when the census area had been cut considerably in size.

Robert Jackson Hendricks was born May 6, 1863, on a farm in Cooper hollow, Polk county, between Dallas and Monmouth, son of Mr. and Mrs. David Russell Hendricks. He had his early schooling at Jacksonville and Athena and served his apprenticeship to the printer's trade at Roseburg and Eugene.

At the age of 16 he began his newspaper career, and a year later became editor and manager of the Roseburg Plaindealer. While a student at the University of Oregon, he utilized his spare time operating a Washington hand press, doing job printing and setting type for the Oregon State Journal, published by Harrison R. Kincade in Eugene from 1864 to 1909.

In 1884, after serving as a hand compositor in the old Standard office, Portland, Hendricks came to Salem with $900 in earnings as a printer and proceeds from sale of a piece of property he had purchased while yet a university student.

With George A. Saubert, also from Roseburg, he bought the interest of W. H. Odell in The Statesman, and became editor and manager of the paper, continuing at that post for 44 years. Otheres bought and sold interest in the newspaper, but Mr. Hendricks continued as the head of the institution.

The enterprising young owners of The Statesman in 1893 bought the second and third linotype machines in the state, were firmly optimistic not only about the future of the then - new labor saving devices but about the state as a whole and the Willamette valley in particular.

At his editorial desk Mr. Hendricks felt the pulse of the community as he, an ardent worker for the state's advance, knew it. For many years, up to the time of his death, he was a member of the board of trustees of Willamette university, serving much of that time on the important faculty committee. Long active on the directorate of the Salem YMCA, he had served as president of that body and was an interested participant in the work of not only his own church, the First Congregational, but of other denominations as well. He was for a number of years a member of the city library board.

As a newspaperman, he made the force of his publications felt outside the area of its actual circulation by employing numerous young men from the university here and from nearby institutions of higher learning who, under his tutelage, became outstanding in the field of journalism over the nation.

In 1928, he and his partner of 25 years, Carl Abrams, sold the publishing company to Earl F. Brownlee and Sheldon F. Sackett, who later, at separate intervals, sold to Charles A. Sprague, present owner. But Hendricks remained as editor emeritus and columnist, devoting consistently longer hours to the task of delving into the sources of history of the Oregon country.

First major result of this work was his book, "Bethel and Aurora," dramatic story of the settlement of Aurora. In recent years his research material had been published in smaller booklets and much of it had been woven into a sequence of radio programs which he was in the process of marketing at the time of his death.

On January 25, 1888, he married Emilie Geisy of Aurora, who had attended Willamette university for two years just previous to their wedding. To this union were born three sons, of whom Paul Hendricks, now serving as city defense commander, survives.

On May 10, 1942, four days after men of the city and former employees from over the state had honored the veteran publisher at a large birthday dinner, he and Mrs. Hendricks were involved in an automobile accident, that resulted in her death on June 3.

Mr. Hendricks made his home with Mr. and Mrs. Paul Hendricks after leaving the hospital last summer but had never regained full use of his injured leg.

Survivors include, in addition to the one son, two brothers, John Ray Hendricks of Cottage Grove and Hamilton H. Hendricks of Fossil.

Oregon Statesman 20 Jan 1943 1:2

We bow in silent tribute this morning to the memory of Robert J. Hendricks.

For nearly three -score years he was identified with this newspaper, most of the time as its editor and principal owner; and since 1928 as contributor through his historical column "Bits for Breakfast." He was revered by all of the Statesman family, and those of us who have been associated with him bore him close affection. We have been saddened to see his powers wane, and feel now a genuine grief that the companionship as friend and fellow-workman is sundered.

A native of Oregon and educated in its common schools and state university, Mr. Hendricks in his career linked the Oregon of pioneer days with the modern state. He recalled Senator Joe Lane as a resident of Douglas county and knew the prominent men of Oregon from the early 70's onward. Always a builder, he threw his abundant energies into the task of developing his newspaper, his business enterprises, his city and his state.

It was on August 18, 1884, that Mr. Hendricks joined The Statesman as editor and manager. With George H. Saubert, another printer, who still lives on the Siuslaw near Cushman, he had bought the half interest in the paper from W. H. Odell, one-time surveyor general. In 1885 they bought the other half from W. H. Byars, state printer, and incorporated the business as The Statesman Publishing company. Through various associations in the ownership of the corporation Mr. Hendricks continued as its executive head until his retirement in 1928. Even then The Statesman remained his great interest and here he kept his desk and continued his literary work.

Mr. Hendricks was a dreamer, and many of his dreams did not come true. But out of his vision many substantial enterprises developed - The Statesman is itself largely his monument for he directed it for a much longer period than anyone else. Many of the civic and industrial enterprises in Salem were fostered by him; the old street car lines, the woolen mill, the old 12th street cannery, the Salem Y.M.C.A. For him there was no standing still; always there was work to do. In his last illness he was impatient to be back to his office to resume his work.

His mind was a veritable storehouse of information. A new reporter could always turn to him to identify name and get local connections. He adhered to a true printer's standard of accuracy in fact and typography.

Reared in the republicanism of the post Civil war period, he was staunch in his political faith, and wrote effectively on political matters for his editorial columns.

In the fullness of his years he came like a shock of corn ripe for the harvest. And we who saw him in strength of mind and body, who knew the rich gentleness of his nature would not grieve that, weary from his work, he lies down in quiet sleep.

Oregon Statesman 20 Jan 1943 4:1

HENRICKS, R. J.

Robert Jackson Hendricks, 1810 Fairmont avenue, January 19. Survived by son, Paul R. Hendricks, of Salem; two brothers, John R. Hendricks, Cottage Grove and Hamilton H. Hendricks, Fossil. Services will be held from Clough-Barrick chapel, Thursday, January 21, at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be in the IOOF cemetery.

Oregon Statesman 20 Jun 1943 5:1.

INSCRIPTION:

Robert Jackson Hendricks

Pioneer Editor

Born Polk County Oregon 1863

Died 1943

[shares monument with Emilie and Leland]

2nd marker: Father

[photo's available]

SOURCES:

LR

S&H p. 67

OSBH DC (Marion County 1943) #69

OS 20 Jan 1943 1:1

OS 20 Jan 1943 1:2

OS 20 Jan 1943 4:1

OS 20 Jun 1943 5:1

IMAGE 1: IMAGE 2:

LOT: 936 SPACE: 1 SW LONG: N 44° 55.187' LAT: W 123° 03.004'

*********

Census: 1870, OR Umatilla Weston Pg 367(See Father)

Hendricks, Emilie

LAST: Hendricks FIRST: Emilie MID:

GENDER: F MAIDEN NAME: Giesy TITLE: Mrs.

BORN: 27 Jan 1867 DIED: 3 Jun 1942 BURIED: 5 Jun 1942

ETHNIC: OCCUPATION: Housewife

BIRTH PLACE : Aurora, Marion Co., Oregon

DEATH PLACE: Salem, Marion Co., Oregon

NOTES:

OSBH DC (Marion County 1942) #516 - Emelie G. Hendricks, female, married to Robert J. Hendricks, Housewife, b. 27 Jan 1867 in Aurora, Oregon, d. 3 Jun 1942 in Salem, Oregon at the age of 75 y's 4 m's 6 d's, name of father John Giesy (b. Switzerland), maiden name of mother Barbara White (b. Switzerland), interment IOOF 5 Jun 1942, undertaker Barrick, informant Paul Hendricks of Salem, Oregon.

OBITUARY:

Mrs. Emelie G. Hendricks, late resident of 173 South Cottage street, Salem, Wednesday, June 3. Wife of Robert J. Hendricks, Salem; mother of Paul R. Hendricks of Salem; sister of Mrs. Charles Becke of Aurora, Mrs. Ernest Greenwood of Salt Lake City, and A. W. Giesy of Portland. Services will be held Friday, June 5, at 2:30 p.m. from Clough-Barrick chapel. Rev. Robert A. Hutchinson officiating. Concluding services in IOOF cemetery. Please omit flowers.

Oregon Statesman 5 Jun 1942 5:2

Hendricks Rites Today.

Funeral services are to be held at 2:30 today from the Clough-Barrick chapel for Mrs. Robert J. Hendricks, who died Wednesday night several weeks after she had been injured in an automobile accident.

Rev. Robert A. Hutchinson is to officiate and pallbearers are to be John H. Carson, Karl V. Pease, Daniel J. Fry, Lowell E. Kern, Edgar T. Pierce and Richard D. Slater.

Interment is to be at the IOOF cemetery.

Out of respect to Mrs. R. J. Hendricks, wife the The Statesman editor emeritus and former publisher, this newspaper's office will be closed today from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Oregon Statesman 5 Jun 1842 1:3

INSCRIPTION:

Emilie Geisy Henricks

Born Aurora, Oregon 1867

Died 1942

[shares monument with Robert and Leland]

2nd marker: Mother

[photo's available]

SOURCES:

LR

LD

S&H p. 67

OSBH DC (Marion County 1942) #516

OS 5 Jun 1842 1:3

OS 5 Jun 1942 5:2

IMAGE 1: IMAGE 2:

LOT: 936 SPACE: 4 SW LONG: N 44° 55.187' LAT: W 123° 03.004'

Marriage: 25 Jan 1888