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CHARLES H. TEMPLE AND FAMILY 1896
Charles H. Temple was born near Bradford, Indiana, March
1858. His parents were of German descent. His opportunities were meager and
his education limited. He learned the jeweler and watch making
business.
In 1896 Mr. J.P. Watson recommended Hood River to him
as a good opening for a jewelry store. Mr. Temple came to investigate but
could find only a few dwellings and estimated that there might be one hundred
and fifty people in the town, and did not like the prospect. But when he
went out into the valley and saw the prosperous looking farms he concluded
to stay awhile. He went to Mr. M.H. Nickelsen and asked to rent a small room
or space for a work table. Mr. Nickelsen gave him a corner in his store at
a rental of $2.50 per month. He secured a dry goods box for a table.
His first customer brought in a good watch to be fixed
but was doubtful about trusting it in the hands of a man with such a shabby
outfit so called Mr. Nickelsen out and asked him about the jeweler's
qualifications. Mr. Nickelsen assured him that Mr. Temple was a good jeweler,
so the watch was given to him to repair, with the result that from that time
on Mr. Temple had no lack of work. He remained there nine years, busy at
his trade.
In 1905 he sold to Laraway and went to Indiana, remaining
there two years. He spent one year in Texas, two years in Missouri and then
located in Portland. Here he married Miss Clara Lewis. They lived in Portland
eight years, then went to Indiana for six months, spent four and a half years
in Texas and came back to Portland where he is still working in at the jewelry
and watch repair business. They have one son, Paul, born in 1910. Mr. Temple
is believed to be Hood River's first jeweler.
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