A review of Baker City would be incomplete were we to omit mention of one of its most representative citizens. We refer to Henry Rust, proprietor of the leading brewery of this section, known as the Pacific Brewery. Mr. Rust was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1835, and came to this country shortly before the outbreak of the Civil War. He enlisted as a private in the 13th New York Regiment of Volunteers, and continued with it until 1862, when be was seriously wounded and had to leave the service. He was later appointed commissary and served until the close of the war. Shortly after he came to the Pacific coast, and later associating himself with a partner, started a brewery at the mining camp of Clark’s Creek. A few years later he concluded to travel, and spent a year and a half visiting the South American states. On his return he bought out his partner, and removing to Baker City, started a brewery on a small scale, which has been repeatedly enlarged until today It is a model brewery of 20,600-barrel capacity. He uses nothing but hops and barley in his brew, importing moat of his hops from Germany using the balance of Oregon grown; while his barley is all grown in this county. He has justly gained the reputation of making the purest and most healthful beer sold, and has also the honor of conducting the oldest establishment, continuously in business in Baker City, in the same place and under the same name. He is an extensive property owner, owning the Opera House in this city, and a number of tracts of land in the county. Mr. Rust has always been a member of the republican party, and has held several state and city offices. He has always had the welfare of Baker City at heart, and liberally supports any worthy enterprise brought to his notice.
