Ben Selling
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| 27th Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives | |
| In office 1915–1917 | |
| Preceded by | Clifton N. McArthur |
| Succeeded by | Robert N. Stanfield |
| Majority | Republican Party |
| Member of the Oregon House of Representatives from the 18th District | |
| In office 1915–1917 | |
| Preceded by | Robert W. Hagood |
| Succeeded by | A. C. Callen |
| Constituency | Clackamas and Multnomah counties |
| President of the Oregon Senate | |
| In office 1911–1913 | |
| Preceded by | Jay Bowerman |
| Succeeded by | Donald Malarkey |
| Majority | Republican Party |
| Member of the Oregon State Senate from the 1st District | |
| In office 1911–1913 Serving with John A. Carson, Hal D. Patton | |
| Member of the Oregon State Senate from the 13th District | |
| In office 1909–1911 Serving with C. W. Nottingham, John B. Coffey | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1852 |
| Died | 1931 Oregon |
| Political party | Republican Party |
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Ben Selling (1852[1] or April 29, 1853 – 1931) was a businessman, philanthropist, civil rights advocate, and politician in Portland, Oregon, United States. He was a noted leader in the Jewish community, and he owned a clothing store in downtown Portland.[2]
Selling arrived in Portland with his family in circa 1862. He started with a boot and shoe business, then a clothing store.[1] He was regarded as "the outstanding Jewish leader in Portland", receiving the first First Citizen Award from the Portland Realty Board in 1928.[1] MacColl remarked the choice of Selling was ironic because he "possessed none of the acquisitive instincts ... associated with the realty trade."[1] He also organized kitchens for the unemployed during the Panic of 1893 and Panic of 1907, serving over 450,000 meals.[1] He heavily supported the Armenian Relief Society, bought $400,000 in Liberty Bonds during World War I, and supported the Waverly Baby Home and Jewish Neighborhood House, both in Portland.[1] MacColl also stated "Suffice it to say, Ben Selling probably gave away more money in proportion to his income than any Oregon citizen since the state was founded."[1]
He served on the Port of Portland Commission, then on the Portland Dock Commission.[1] After being elected to the Oregon State Senate in 1910, he served as President of the Senate for one session in 1911.[2][3] He was also Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives for one session, 1915.[2][3] He ran for the United States Senate in 1912, losing by a few hundred votes to Harry Lane.[2]
After he died in 1931, four of his 40 employees sued his estate, saying he had promised the business to them.[1] Their claims were rejected, as Selling was known for being honest and writing everything down.[1]
| Party political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| First | Republican nominee for U.S. Senator from Oregon (Class 2) 1913 |
Succeeded by |
