Ben Selling

Ben Selling (1852[1] or April 29, 1853 – 1931) was a businessman, philanthropist, civil rights advocate, and politician in Portland, Oregon, United States. He was a noted leader in the Jewish community, and he owned a clothing store in downtown Portland.[2]

Ben Selling
27th Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives
In office 1915–1917
Preceded by	Clifton N. McArthur
Succeeded by	Robert N. Stanfield
Majority	Republican Party
Member of the Oregon House of Representatives from the 18th District
In office 1915–1917
Preceded by	Robert W. Hagood
Succeeded by	A. C. Callen
Constituency	Clackamas and Multnomah counties
President of the Oregon Senate
In office 1911–1913
Preceded by	Jay Bowerman
Succeeded by	Donald Malarkey
Majority	Republican Party
Member of the Oregon State Senate from the 1st District
In office 1911–1913 Serving with John A. Carson, Hal D. Patton
Member of the Oregon State Senate from the 13th District
In office 1909–1911 Serving with C. W. Nottingham, John B. Coffey
Personal details
Born	1852
Died	1931 Oregon
Political party	Republican Party

Selling arrived in Portland with his family in circa 1862. He started with a boot and shoe business, then a clothing store.[1] He was regarded as "the outstanding Jewish leader in Portland", receiving the first First Citizen Award from the Portland Realty Board in 1928.[1] MacColl remarked the choice of Selling was ironic because he "possessed none of the acquisitive instincts ... associated with the realty trade."[1] He also organized kitchens for the unemployed during the Panic of 1893 and Panic of 1907, serving over 450,000 meals.[1] He heavily supported the Armenian Relief Society, bought $400,000 in Liberty Bonds during World War I, and supported the Waverly Baby Home and Jewish Neighborhood House, both in Portland.[1] MacColl also stated "Suffice it to say, Ben Selling probably gave away more money in proportion to his income than any Oregon citizen since the state was founded."[1]

He served on the Port of Portland Commission, then on the Portland Dock Commission.[1] After being elected to the Oregon State Senate in 1910, he served as President of the Senate for one session in 1911.[2][3] He was also Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives for one session, 1915.[2][3] He ran for the United States Senate in 1912, losing by a few hundred votes to Harry Lane.[2]

After he died in 1931, four of his 40 employees sued his estate, saying he had promised the business to them.[1] Their claims were rejected, as Selling was known for being honest and writing everything down.[1]