Charles W. Post
(1858 - 1922)
Clarence E. Mershon, East of the Sandy: The Columbia River Highway
Charles W. Post, born in Galion, Ohio, February 22, 1858, came to Oregon in 1907. At the age of sixteen he traveled to Europe, determined to study works of the European Masters. Accepted at the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris, he studied under Piloty and the sculptor Guillaume. He spent two years in Florence, Italy, where he studied under William T. Dannat. Finally, in quest of learning more about his true love, etching, Post applied for admittance at the Royal Academy in Munich, where he studied under master engraver, William Unger. Post returned to the United States in the fall of 1878, enthralled by the works of the masters he had seen, most particularly by those of Rembrandt, considered the absolute master of the engraving art.
Mershon, East of the Sandy III, vii - viii
After his return, he taught art classes in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota. His first published work, Twin City Etchings, reflecting the interest of the artist in that medium, was well received. In 1907, Post moved to Portland. He found a parcel of land above Springdale, where he built a home for his family. Thus by 1912, he had located in East Multnomah County, and thereafter brought his artistic talent and skill to bear in rendering works reflecting the scenes his eye beheld, most particularly scenes in the Columbia River Gorge.
He roamed the countryside in a horse and buggy with his faithful collie, Galla, at his side, and a couple of goats in tow. In addition to his artistic endeavors, Post carried a camera and recorded many of the activities he witnessed.
Mershon, East of the Sandy III, 31
Post established a studio on an acre of land at Chanticleer Point in 1912. Later, the Richfield Oil Company placed a large advertising sign on the site, which soon blew away when the area's well known east wind came up. The Company replaced the sign, but made certain the second effort could withstand hurricane force winds. The concrete piers for this sign remain on the site, but the sign they supported is long gone.
Post sold his art works at his studio. His paintings hang in many homes in the community. A Post portrait of my mother, holding her first child, hung in our home for years. Fortunately, Post carried a camera with him as he searched for subjects in the environs of the Gorge. Consequently, he left a legacy of photographs that capture the era when the highway was built. Post's grandson, Wesley Post, kindly permitted the author to use this material.
...Post planned to publish a complete series of etching of the Columbia River Gorge, similar to his earlier work published in St. Paul, Minnesota. He installed an etching press in 1921 with the hope that this long-held objective would be fulfilled. Unfortunately, in the spring of 1922, after a short illness, Charles W. Post passed away, age 64.
Mershon, East of the Sandy III, vii - viii
Pretty much just throw a [sic] behind every word below...
"CHARLES W. POST NEWPAPER ARTICLE, OREGONIAN, PORTLAND, OREGON ...a really great newspaper article about artist Charles W. Post. A Corbett, Oregon artist. Article states that he died in 1922 at the age of 65 years. He was from Ohio. He came to Oregon in 1907 settling in the Columbia River Gorge area. His wife was Jaunita Post. A relative of his, Wes Post, age 80, of Sisters, Oregon had several boxes of paintings and information about Charles Post. Clarence Moershom, who was looking for paintings of the Columbia River Gorge was shown this collection, by his childhood aquaintance, Wes Post. This artice was in the newpaper in December of 2005."
Ancestry.com http://boards.ancestry.com/thread.aspx?mv=flat&m=1706&p=surnames.post