Henry Failing

Biography

Henry Failing (1834-1898) guided Portland through multiple terms as mayor and was active in banking and charitable causes, earning a reputation as a thoughtful steward of the city's resources. He championed improvements to streets, schools, and the harbor, always mindful of how they served ordinary residents.

Failing remembered that prosperity should be shared, and he supported organizations that provided relief when misfortune struck. He rests at River View Cemetery, and his name endures in the institutions he helped strengthen.