This excerpt is from an article that was first published in the Oregon Statesman. We located it in a series of undated clippings in the Ruth Sather Collection of Jefferson memorabilia (1986.015.0055). Although the clipping is undated, it was probably published around 1956.
Barber at Jefferson Retires After 46 Years on the Job
Guy Roland Saw Changes in the Community
By Gladys Shields
Statesman Correspondent
JEFFERSON-What do men do with their time when they retire? Guy Roland says, “They sure enjoy it.” He retired this month after 46 years of barbering in Jefferson.
This past month, Roland, or Guy as everyone in Jefferson calls him, has been catching up with odd chores, and he’s looking forward to a trip to southern states, come march.
No one was ever more deserving of retirement than Roland. Eight o’clock every morning found him at his shop ready to work. It was always well past six in the evening when he completed the last shave or haircut. Someone was bound to come in just before closing time. Sometimes, Sunday mornings, found him back in the shop cleaning up after a heavy Saturday. His vacations in those 46 years could be counted on one hand.
He began barbering when he was 16 years old, serving part of his apprenticeship in Cambridge, Idaho. In 1910, he set up shop here.
Bath Was Convenience
Many changes have occurred in those 46 years. He has seen the price of haircuts go from 25 cents to $1.25, and shaves from 15 cents to $1. The bath in his shop was a popular convenience for men of the community until running water and baths in homes became common.
There were always two barber shops in Jefferson while he was in business, and at one time in the 1930’s four barbers operated shops here. Competitors included the late Bill Jones, Joe Goin (now at Oakland), and Ray Bishop. After Jones’ death, Gilbert Hoevet was a contemporary until he went into business with Roland last year, taking over the shop when the latter retired.
Has Seen Changes
Roland has seen many business changes here during the past 46 years. When he started out, Jefferson had a bank, a watchmaker, jeweler and funeral director; a drug store and sometimes two of them, a physician and surgeon, and an eye doctor; a creamery, livery stable, flouring mill and furniture store. The latter was operated by G.A. Reeher, now of Salem. Mrs. P.A. Racey also operated a millinery shop in the building now occupied by Gibson’s Variety.
Crops grown here then were wheat, other grains and potatoes. Long lines of wagons waited to unload grain at the elevator, and two big potato warehouses were located near the depot to care for the many bushels grown and shipped out of here each year. Operating the warehouses were William Kottkoff, now of Merrill, and the late John “Potato” Jones.
No Automobiles
Trains all stopped here and a full time operator ran the depot and telegraph service. There were no automobiles to take Jeffersonians to other valley points and all traveled by train.
Political rallies, bland concerts, Fourth of July picnics, and ball games were some of the diversions. Roland was a member of the baseball team in those days, composed of Earl Phelps, Elmer Homyer, Herman Johnston, Walter Burgett, Mel Doty, Hubert Burgett, Bill Jones, Bill Smith and Cecil Doty.
Roland’s parents were Harry and Sarah Reeves Roland, whose parents were early day Oregon pioneers. He was born in Albany, coming here in his early youth.
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