Page 28 - May 2019 Voices

BURIED TREASURE

PART 2
BENJAMIN F. MEDOFSKY

TOASTMASTER AND CIVIC LEADER

Harvey Schowe, DTM

Part two of Ben Medofsky’s story begins in After returning to Portland, Oregon from
1918 when Ben Medofsky received a draft notice the War, he lived in an apartment on 649 SW
from Portland Draft Board No. 3 on April 12, Broadway, Portland. He worked at various jobs

1918. During this time Ben began investing in such as a bookkeeper and selling Christmas
real estate in addition to baking business such cards and calculating machines. In 1920, Ben
as the Flat-Iron building located on 52nd street was working as an office manager for a bakery.
and Sandy Road now NE Sandy Blvd. This He purchased Vol’s Candy company September

building still exists and current tenant a printing 1921 and started with operations early October
company. After Ben was drafted, he was forced and almost went broke in three weeks. During
to sell this building for $4,350. This building had previous year R. C. Volhein, M. J. Volhein and
two stories five stores, basement, and utilities. A. H. Marshall had filed incorporation papers

He was inducted at 10:00 am April 26,1918 and for Vol’s Candy store with state of Oregon
sent to Fort Lewis, Washington for basic training. with $25,000 capitalization on April 4, 1920.
After basic training, Ben was assigned as private Apparently, these individuals decided to sell
first class to the medical detachment for the 61st the business. Ben’s, partner in this venture was

Artillery. He departed Newport News, Virginia Nathan B. Casler, vice-president sales manager
July 7, 1918 for France on transport ship Wilhelm. for the company. Nate was a real estate agent
In France, he purchased a German watch, as a war in Los Angles, California before working at the
souvenir, from a wounded soldier for 50 Franks. candy company. He was born in Russia April

The watch was taken from a German soldier 14, 1895 and immigrated to America in 1903
killed during the battle of Verdun. This watch and lived in Portland, Oregon before moving to
was housed inside a steel case and the watch had California where he worked as a real estate agent.
a double silver case with outside and inside dials. He died in San Francisco, California July 9, 1941.

The watch had an inscription “Souvenir from The business was moved from 852 Burnside to
Bochume: verin for 25 years loyal service 1873 649 Second street in 1924. He and his partner
to 1898”. He left France on September 30, 1919 had encountered many problems operating
after completing his military service. the company. Twice intruders broken into his

28 ONE COMMUNITY