Meyer, Eva C., 1888-1960

Eva C. Meyer was born in 1888 in Michigan and moved to Portland, Oregon in 1911. She married Fred G. Meyer in 1919 and they were married for 41 years until her death in 1960. She was the Secretary-Treasurer of Fred Meyer, Inc. from its beginning and was very active in the company's marketing, purchasing and expansion decisions. An avid philanthropist, she was named Soroptimist of the Year in 1943 and in 1949 the Portland Women's Forum chose her as Woman of the Year. Eva Meyer was the primary photographer of these films, though others also acted as cameraman.

Fred G. Meyer, her husband, was born in 1886 and founded Fred Meyer, Inc., a chain of grocery stores with locations throughout the Northwest. They lived primarily in Portland, Oregon, but they also had a home on Mt. Hood in the town of Wemme, Oregon which they called "Eve's Eden." Their extended family would often gather at Eve's Eden and many of the films take place there.

Eva Meyer's son, Earle A. Chiles, figures prominently in these films as do his wife, Virginia, and son, Earle Meyer Chiles. Earle A. Chiles worked for Fred Meyer, Inc. for over 40 years and was president of the company for much of that time.

Mary Jayne Carter, the donor of this collection, was Eva Meyer's niece and also appears in many of these films along with her children Cathy and Bill (William Hale Carter III), and her mother, Mary A. Boyle, Eva Meyer's sister. For over 30 years Mary Boyle worked next to Eva in the original Fred Meyer corporate offices (called "Executive Row") above the store at SW 4th and Yamhill Streets. She was the head clothing and millinery buyer for the firm and later managed the operations of the test kitchen. She retired at the age of 73, five years after Eva's death in 1960. Other people appearing in these films include: Everett Chatfield, Eva's brother; Jack and Vera Fisher, the groundskeepers at Eve's Eden; Peter Mudie, a local radio personality; and Sophie Wright, Fred Meyer's sister.

From the guide to the Meyer Family film collection, 1930-1952, (Oregon Historical Society)