Old Standifer Letters #14

Old Letter #14 was written by Ike Mayfield Standifer, Jr. to Jack Standifer of Blakely, GA. on Feb. 20, 1921.
The letterhead reads: G. M. Standifer Construction Corporation (Three Shipyards - 15 Building Berths), Vancouver, Washington.

2-20-21

Mr. Jack G. Standifer
Blakely, Ga.

My dear Mr. Standifer:

My brother rec'd your most interesting letter and sent it to me to answer. It is always interesting to learn of our ancestors etc. and I have no doubt that ours is ? some family. My father, Colonel Ike Mayfield Standifer was from and raised in Mississippi near Jackson and his father was a big slave holder there. His mother was Irish, dece'd after our family moved to Texas where my father practiced law in G? and Houston. He was in the Texas legislature for two years and Speaker of the House (office) for several terms--considered to be the best known man in Texas. Moved to Oregon 15 years ago occasioned by my mother's health. There are 3 boys in my family and one girl--all boys are interested in ? Co. My oldest brother, Guy is President. We're considered a genuine construction business in connection with our ship years--We are all engineers. I spent 21 months in France as Captain in Eng ? and came throu ok. Enlisted 2 days after ? was declared--Lost my father whle I was in France. If you ever come up this way make it a point to look me up. I am the only single one left and live with my mother. Am just taking my 3rd in ? Intended to start sooner but was interrupted with my plans.

With best wishes and good luck I am

Yours sincerely,

I Mayfield Standifer, Jr.

A kind look-up volunteer in Clark Co., WA, Rose Marie Harshman, provided the following information:

"I checked the 2 vols. of Clark County Pioneers but there was no mention of any Standifers. Guy Standifer is mentioned in Clark Co. History vol. 17 in connection with the Standifer Wooden Shipyards in 1917. It stated that Standifer had been associated wit James F. Clarkson for some years in railroad construction and had started building ships in Astoria, OR the previous year. He later pulled out of the venture to establish the Standifer-Clarkson shipyard in North Portland. In the Portland Oregonian newspaper on June 28th there was a story that told of a contact with the Federal government to build 10ships, four at the yard in Kenton (North Portland) and six at the yard in Vancouver. At the Standifer wooden yard, 450 men were at work and six ships were in full frame. With four ships to be built at the North Portland yard, the Standifer vessels represented an investment of 5.5 million dollars. Standifer shipbuilders averaged $4.10 per day. An additional 3,500 to 4,000 men were expected to be hired for the steel yard. The new Standifer, the first of the steel ships was not launched until Dec. 31, 1918. Ruth Standifer, sister of Guy Standifer, was the sponsor. yard was to have five ways and would operate three eight hour shifts."

*Carol's note: Isaac Mayfield Standifer was born June 24, 1859 in Aberdeen, Monroe Co., MS. He was the son of James I. and Sarah E. Hadley Standifer.