1046 N 17th  

935 N 17th 

George Francis Mentzer was born on 7 Jan 1873 in Benton County, Iowa, to Ferdinand and Catharine [Weaver] Mentzer. By 1880, at the age of seven, he lived in Cawker, Kansas, with his family.  

On 9 Dec 1895, George married Martha Printz in Mahoning County, Ohio. By 1900, the couple lived in Beaver, Ohio, alongside George’s parents and their young son, Vernon. The couple later welcomed a second son, Wayne, who was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  

In 1908, the Mentzer family moved west to Oregon from Michigan in search of farmland. However, George found that farming in Oregon did not suit him. Instead, his mechanical inclination led him to the woolen mill industry. Thomas Kay provided him with an apprenticeship at Salem Ironworks, which allowed George to develop his skills as a millwright. He played a crucial role in installing and building equipment for the Kay Woolen Mill, traveling across the United States and Canada to procure machinery.  

By 1910, George worked at Salem Ironworks as part of his apprenticeship and lived with his family at 946 N 17th St. in Salem. His father-in-law, Henry Printz, also resided with them. George and Martha’s sons, Vernon and Wayne, were 13 and 5 years old, respectively.  

In 1918, George registered for the World War I draft at age 45. His registration card described him as tall and slender, with dark hair and blue eyes.  

By 1920, George was employed as a mechanic at the woolen mill, and his son Wayne still lived at home. A decade later, in 1930, George was listed as the chief stationary engineer at the mill. He and Martha lived alone at their residence at 935 N 17th St. In Salem. He continued in this role through 1940, still working at the mill at age 67.  

By 1950, George had retired, though he and Martha remained in their longtime home on 17th Street.  

George Mentzer passed away on 15 June 1967, in Salem, Oregon, at the age of 94. He was laid to rest in Belcrest Memorial Park. His wife, Martha, died a few months later. 

1915  Mentzer George F (Martha), machinist, TKWM Co, res 946 N 17th  

1917  Mentzer George F (Martha), machinist, TKWM Co, res 946 N 17th  

1924  Mentzer George F (Martha), mechanic, T K Woolen Mill Co, h 1046 N 17th  

1928  Mentzer George F (Martha), foreman, T K Woolen Mill Co, h 935 N 17th  

1930  Mentzer Geo F (Martha E) engineer, T K Woolen Mill Co, h 935 N 17th  

1934  Mentzer Geo F (Martha E) mechanic, TKWM Co, h 935 N 17th  

1935  Mentzer Geo F (Martha E) mechanic, TKWM Co, h 935 N 17th 

1936  Mentzer Geo F (Martha E) mechanic, TKWM Co, h 935 N 17th  

1938-39  Mentzer Geo F (Martha E) mechanic, TKWM Co, h 935 N 17th  

1940  Mentzer Geo F (Martha E) mechanic, TKWM Co, h 935 N 17th 

1942  Mentzer Geo F (Martha E) machinist, TKWM Co, h 935 N 17th 

1900  George F. Mentzer. Age: 27. Birth Date: Jan 1883 in Iowa. Married, son to HOH. Home in 1900: Beaver, Mahoning, Ohio. Additional household members: Ferdinand Mentzer, age 61 (father), Catharine Mentzer, age 60 (mother), Mar(tha) Mentzer, age 23 (wife), Vernon Mentzer, age 3 (son).   

1910  George F. Mentzer. Age: 38. Birth Date: 1872 in Iowa. Married, HOH. Home in 1910: 946 N 17th, Salem Ward 6, Marion, Oregon. Occupation: Helper in Iron Foundry. Additional household members: Martha Mentzer, age 36 (wife), Vernon P. Mentzer, age 13 (son), Wayne P. Mentzer, age 5 (son), Henry Printz, age 78 (father-in-law).  

1920  George F. Mentzer. Age: 46. Birth Date: abt 1874 in Iowa. Married, HOH. Home in 1920: Salem Ward 6, Marion, Oregon. Occupation: Mechanic in Woolen Mill. Additional household members: Martha E. Mentzer, age 44 (wife), Wayne P. Mentzer, age 15 (son). 

1930  George F. Mentzer. Age: 57. Birth Year: abt 1873 in Iowa. Married, HOH. Home in 1930: 935 N. 17th, Ward 6, Salem, Marion, Oregon. Occupation: Chief Stationery Engineer in Woolen Mills. Additional household member: Martha Mentzer, age 55 (wife).  

1940  George F. Mentzer. Age: 67. Birth Year: abt 1873 in Iowa. Married, HOH. Home in 1940: 935 N. 17th, Salem, Marion, Oregon. Occupation: Chief Engineer in Woolen Mill. Additional household member: Martha Mentzer, age 65 (wife).  

1950  George F. Mentzer. Age: 77. Birth Date: abt 1873 in Iowa. Married, HOH. Home in 1950: 935 N. 17th, Salem, Marion, Oregon. Occupation: None listed. Additional household member: Martha E. Mentzer, age 74 (wife).  

Martha Printz Mentzer  Birth: 9 May 1875 in Ohio. Death: 4 Sep 1967 (aged 92) Salem, Marion County, Oregon. Burial: Belcrest Memorial Park, Salem, Marion County, Oregon. Plot: Block 14, Section 54, Lot 4. Memorial ID: 79676549 

Oregon Statesman 6 Sep 1967, p. 5 – Obituary, Martha 

M3 1986-100-0684     Wrench 

M3 1994-100-0008      Poster 

X2016.039.0008           Package 

M3 1994-016-0009      Oral History (Wayne Mentzer) 

MMMA.200                   Institutional Scrapbook