The Seufert Brothers Company was founded in 1884 at The Dalles, Oregon, by brothers Francis A. and Theodore J. Seufert, natives of New York City and sons of German immigrant John Seufert. Francis A. Seufert travelled west to San Francisco via Panama in 1872 and then to the Dalles in 1881. His younger brother Theodore joined him there in 1882, and the following year, upon completion of the transcontinental railroad, the Seuferts shipped the first Oregon salmon east by rail. In 1886 they purchased the Whitcomb Fishery interests near The Dalles, including a small salmon cannery, to which they added a fish house and ice house. From these beginnings, they developed a business which dominated the fish canning and packing business on the Columbia River for many years, until construction of The Dalles Dam terminated the company's operations in 1954.
During its prosperous years, the Seufert Company encountered continuing legal difficulties from local Indians who claimed fishing rights on Seufert property. Opposition also came from labor and Grange interests over the company's employment of Chinese laborers and its use of fish wheels on the Columbia River during the salmon runs.
Francis A. Seufert purchased his brother Theodore's interests in the company in 1909. He served as president and general manager until his death in December, 1929, and also served as mayor of The Dalles for a brief period around 1904. After his death his four sons (Arthur, Francis Anthony, Jr., William, and Edward) served as officials of the company until its liquidation on June 1, 1954. A successor firm called Francis A. Seufert and Company was then operated by Francis A. Seufert, Jr.
From the guide to the Seufert Brothers records, 1861-1984, (Oregon Historical Society)
