Carey, Charles Henry. "History of Oregon." Vol. 2. Chicago-Portland: Pioneer
Historical Pub. Co., 1922. p. 365.
HON. THOMAS B. KAY
One of the most conspicuous figures in the public life of Oregon is Hon.
Thomas B. Kay, a member of the house of representatives, who for many years has
been active in framing the laws of the commonwealth and whose noteworthy service
in behalf of the public welfare earned for him the sobriquet of the "watchdog of
the treasury." He has been instrumental in securing the passage of much
beneficial legislation and at all times his influence has been on the side of
advancement and improvement. He has attained equal prominence in business life
and as president of the Thomas Kay Woolen Mills of Salem, founded by his father
in 1889, he is most capably conducting important and extensive interests.
Mr. Kay is a native of the east. He was born at Trenton, New Jersey,
February 28, 1864, a son of Thomas and Ann (Slingsbey) Kay, natives of England.
In 1864 the parents came to Oregon by way of the Isthmus of Panama, the father
being the first to arrive in the state, the mother joining him here a few months
later. Their son, Thomas B. Kay, was reared at Brownsville, Linn county, Oregon,
where his father operated woolen mills. He spent his school days in attendance
upon the schools of Brownsville and later was a student at McMinnville College.
In 1883 he went to Portland, where he spent a year in learning the mercantile
business, and going to McMinnville in 1885, he there entered commercial circles.
He was identified with the business life of that city for a period of nine years
and in 1894 he came to Salem as assistant manager and salesman for the Thomas
Kay Woolen Mills, succeeding to the presidency upon his father's death in 1900.
His work sustains the enterprising spirit that has long been synonymous with the
name of Kay in Salem and he is displaying excellent business ability in the
management of the interests built up by his father's constructive genius,
meeting therein questions of no less magnitude and importance than were met and
mastered by his father in former years. His business activities have ever
balanced up with the principles of truth and honor and in all of his work he has
never sacrificed the high standards which he has set up for himself.
In 1888 Mr. Kay was united in marriage to Miss Cora M. Wallace of
McMinnville, the daughter of a pioneer family, her mother having crossed the
plains in 1847 and her father in 1852. Mr. and Mrs. Kay have become the parents
of two children: Ercel W., who is a salesman and assistant manager of the Kay
Woolen Mills; and Marjorie, the wife of Hollis W. Huntington, a resident of
Oregon.
Mr. Kay gives his political allegiance to the republican party and in many
public connections he has been called to positions of prominence and leadership,
being one of the most popular politicians in the state. While residing at
McMinnville he served as councilman and school director and after coming to
Salem he was chosen in 1903 to represent his district in the state legislature,
serving as chairman of the ways and means committee. He also served in the house
of representatives in 1905 and was defeated by one vote for the office of
speaker. From 1907 until 1909 he served as a member of the state senate and in
1910 he was called to the office of state treasurer, his excellent record in
that connection winning for him reelection in 1914. In 1920 he was again elected
state representative and is now serving in that office, giving careful
study to the problems which come up for settlement and earnestly supporting all
bills which he believes will prove beneficial to the commonwealth. He has the
courage of his convictions and is recognized as a man of strict integrity, whom
neither fear nor favor can swerve from the course which he believes to be right.
He has made a splendid political record, characterized by marked devotion to the
public good, and has won the reputation of being the "watchdog of the treasury."
He has at different times been urged to become a candidate for the offices of
governor and United States senator, but each time has surrendered in favor of
friends, who have won the election. He has ever recognized his duties and
obligations in regard to the public welfare and has cooperated in every movement
that has tended to advance the interests of the state along lines of permanent
good. For twenty years he has served on the board of directors of the Young
Men's Christian Association, for a considerable period he was a director and the
president of the Board of Trade and is now a director of the State Chamber of
Commerce. During the period of the World war he was chairman of some of the
drives and was active in support of all war measures promulgated by the
government for the aid and support of the nation's soldiers in camp and in field
His religious belief is indicated by his membership in the Christian church and
fraternally he is Identified with the Woodmen of the World, the Benevolent
Protective Order of Elks and the Masons, having become a member of the Mystic
Shrine in the last named organization. For many years he has been a director of
Willamette University and in everything pertaining to the welfare and upbuilding
of his town, county and commonwealth he is actively and helpfully interested.
Upon all vital questions he is well informed and he keeps abreast with the best
thinking men of the age concerning the political, sociological and economic
questions of the day. In public office he has always stood for development and
for constructive measures and his life record has been a credit and honor to the
state which has honored him.
Transcriber's additional notes
Census Indexing:
KAY TOM L 41 W ENGL OR LINN N BROWNSVILLE 1880 p 404
KAY THOMAS B 36 M W NJ OR MARION 2-WD SALEM 1900 p 127
KAY THOS B 46 M W NJ OR MARION 2-WD SALEM 1910 p 19
KAY THOMAS B 55 M W NJ OR MARION 2-WD; SALEM 1920 p 33
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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in January 2008 by Diana Smith. Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.