HENRY C. SUSEWIND. – As proprietor of one of the most popular and up-to-date hostelries of our county, the Centennial hotel of Union, the esteemed subject of this sketch is not only well and favorably known in the county and the adjacent territories, but is familiar to the traveling public and a favorite as well wherever he is known, always displaying amiability and a genial spirit and broad views on public questions that is the leading spirit of the day, while in the manipulation of his business affairs he is equal to the best and exceeded by none in the care that he bestows upon his guests and in the management of his fine hotel, while also he handles other and large interests in the business world.
Mr. Susewind was born in Monroe county, Illinois on January 13, 1865, being the son of William and Solphia (Hartman) Susewind. When but a child of two years he had the sad misfortune to lose both of his parents, and his days were then spent in the home of his uncle, Henry Susewind, until he was eighteen years of age. During these years he attended the public school and also for a time the Christian College at Waterloo, Illinois. Then he went to work for the government near Greenville, Mississippi, in the improvement of the river. In 1884 he entered the employ of a large wholesale and retail grocery establishment in St. Louis, continuing there until 1887, when he took up work at the soda factor at Waterloo, Illinois, and in this he was engaged until 1892. During this time he purchased a farm of three hundred and five acres in Monroe county, Illinois, in company with this uncle, Henry Susewind. In 1895 he sold his interest. It was in 1892 that he came to Portland, passing through Union en route. He was taken with the surroundings and resources of this country and accordingly, in July of the same year, he returned to Union and negotiated the purchase of the property that he now owns and operates. Since the purchase of the Centennial hotel he has continued in the successful operation of it and today he enjoys the confidence of the traveling public and the patronage that is his to handle is large and lucrative and constantly increasing.
On August 23, 1898, Mr. Susewind married Miss Barbara, a native of Dubuque, Iowa, and the daughter of John and Katie Reuter, residents of Dubuque. This union has been blessed with the following children: Nicholas H., born in Union, Oregon, on September 10(?), 1800; Fred H., born in Dubuque October 27, 1901. Mr. Susewind is active in the mining industry and is heavily interested in the Cornucopia section, being president of the Elk Creek Gold Mining Company, their properties being located in the Granite mining district, formerly in Union county, but now in Baker.