The Dwyers : A biography written by Kathryn Hurd
“Virtue is the only nobility”, so says the motto of the family name of Dwyer. No one exemplified this creed more than Anthony Joseph Dwyer, descended from a long and illustrious line of Irishmen.
A.J. was an Oregon lumberman in the best traditions of the West. His career spanned forest operations in Northern Minnesota, Southwest Washington and Northwest Oregon.
He pitted muscle and know-how, brains and perseverance against tremendous natural obstacles and economic hazards to build a lumber operation of substantial importance. His was one of eleven large sawmills originally operating in his adopted Portland area, dating from 1923. In 1964 when it was sold to Publisher’s Paper, Dwyer Lumber and Plywood Company was the lone survivor.
From page 11 of The Dwyers: Pioneers in the Timber Industry, 2004
“Dear Kathryn,
I think you did a wonderful job of putting together this book. I know it was frustrating at times working with lots of input, but the end product is outstanding and I for one really commend you and thank you for doing that. That generation was truly special in their relationships and without this book, the feeling of that would be lost forever after a few more years. Thank you so much for your efforts.”
Sincerely, Matt McDougall (grandson of A.J. Dwyer)
“Dear Kathryn,
Since getting your wonderful book, I read it into the night. You did a fine job. Its presentation, pictures, lay-out and style are all excellent.You are to be commended.
The book signing was an emotional evening. Besides the major focus of the book, I saw people I had not seen in person since I was in high school. Meeting you, the author, was a separate highlight of its own. I am so happy to have come from Phoenix to attend, and thank you for incorporating my recollections.”
Fondly, Kathleen Dwyer Duyck