HON. HENRY BLACKMAN. – Mr. Blackman, as mayor of Heppner, Oregon, occupies a responsible and eminent position. His first election to the office was in 1887, during his absence at Salem, where he was still perfecting the articles of incorporation for the town. He was re-elected in 1888 by a heavy majority (100 to 41), and was re-elected for the third time in 1889 unanimously, there being no opposition. At all times the tickets were nonpolitical, although the mayor is a Democrat. The issue was upon general improvements, and a general policy of progress. The town was laid out upon a liberal basis. The courthouse was built at a cost of twenty-five hundred dollars, raised by subscription. The fine building one hundred and twenty-six by thirty and one-half feet used as the store of Heppner & Blackman, the first brick in the place, is a public ornament. Since the removal of his partner to Arlington, Mr. Blackman has had chief control of the business of Heppner, and conducts it with personal sagacity, and to the convenience and benefit of the public.
He was born in New York City in 1848. In 1850 he was carried by his parents to California. In this state he was educated, and in 1880 came to Heppner, engaging in business with Henry Heppner, whose sister he had married in San Francisco in 1878. He domestic life is singularly pleasant. His tow children, both boys, Heppner and Leo, are now passing from the interesting stage of babyhood to the more interesting period of childhood. Mr. Blackman is an owner of much real estate in the city and county. He has much faith in the region as one to be productive of stock, and for farming for local consumption.
Heppner will be the terminus of the railroad for some (five years) and a supply point for the Upper John Day river, Long creek, and the whole region south of the timber belt of the Blue Mountains. In the influence and leading position of men like Mr. Blackman, we have an assurance of the good order, educational progress and improvement of the state, as well as of its material advancement.