Page 25 - August 2017 Voices

HIDDEN TREASURE

EARLY OREGON TOASTMASTERS - PART 4

by Harvey Schowe, DTM - District 7 Historian

Portland Toastmasters On September 2, 1938, the Rose Festival
Club #31 charter member, Association elected Frank McCaslin as
Frank Edwin McCaslin, was born on November president with Lynn Sabin, another Portland
2, 1897, in Lake Wilson, Minnesota. He attended Toastmasters charter member, served as second
George Washington University, Washington vice president. In 1939, he received a silver
DC for two years but never graduated. At age plaque for outstanding service as Rose Festival
20 during 1918 Frank worked as a clerk for president. During the 1940s he was active in Red
the Department of Agriculture. After America Cross drives and Community Chest campaigns.
entered World War I, Frank transferred to the On October 19, 1973, about 15 minutes after a
War Department American Graves Registration difficult meeting at the Chamber of Commerce,
Service (AGRS) as a civilian employee. The McCaslin died suddenly. At the time of his
U.S. War Department sent him to France for death in 1973, he belonged, or once belonged
grave registration work. He arrived in Antwerp, to, the following organizations:
France February 16, 1920. His residence was • Director of Portland Freight Traffic Association
at 8 Avenue D’ien Ars Paris, France. After • Trustee of Portland Art Association
completing their work AGRS staff returned to • Director of Riverview Cemetery
the U.S. on the USAT Cantigny arriving in New • Past President of Portland Chamber of Commerce
York City on October 25, 1921. • Old Community Chest Drive
In 1922, Frank moved to • Portland Rotary Club
Portland, Oregon. and began • Portland Rose Festival Association
working for the Portland • Pacific Northwest Trade Association
Cement Company in 1923 as
a book keeper. He married • Portland Jaycees
Lilian Lucile Sneed in 1926. • Director and Finance Committee Member of Good
He was promoted rapidly in Samaritan Hospital
the company and became • Lifetime Member of Lewis and Clark College Board
company vice-president in of Trustees
1930 and later president. • Director of Equitable Savings and Loan
During the fall of 1934, Photograph reproduced with • Former Chairman of Standard Insurance Company
written copyright permissions from
Frank joined Portland the Oregonian newspaper • Former Member U.S. Bank Board
Toastmasters club as a • Multnomah Athletic Club
charter member. March 29, 1936, Portland • University Club
Toastmasters Club held a ladies night meeting • Arlington Club
where Frank was Toastmaster. Speakers were • Waverly Club
Worth Caldweld, John W. Davis, Manley An October 22, 1973, Journal newspaper
Robinson, Lynn P. Sabin and Donald Sloan. editorial article mentioned “that Frank McCaslin
How long he was a Toastmaster member had a talent to bridge gaps, for ironing out
after 1936 remains unknown. He widened his differences that divided people and were standing
involvement in community activities during in the way of achieving goals. McCaslin had
1930s and 1940s. During December 1934, empathy for men in public life, including those at
Frank along with other Portland Toastmaster lower levels. It was characteristic of him to go to
members helped organize the President’s Ball their defense. He kept on fulling his commitment
celebrating President Roosevelt’s birthday. to the community. ”

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