Washburne, Byron A.

From Lane Co Oregon

Washburne, Byron A. (1865-1955)

With the coming of the railroad, Springfield’s industrial activity turned around. In 1890 Charles W. Washburne, a Junction City banker, purchased the flour mill from William Pengra and set about enlarging the mill and refitting it with new high-speed machinery that increased flour production to 150 barrels a day. Son of Charles W. Washburne, who managed the Springfield Roller Mills, Byron A. Washburne, was put in charge of the operation which became extremely successful in producing a brand of flour called “Snowball XXX” (Clarke 1983:35-41).

He was co-organizer in 1906 of the First National Bank of Springfield, for which he served as a director. Washburne owned extensive property in several Oregon counties. He was a Republican and active member of numerous fraternal organizations. Washburne was born in Junction City.