Background
His father, Charles T. Tozier, served as mayor of the town and in the Oregon Legislative Assembly. Albert Tozier was born in Cass County, Nebraska, to Charles and Zerilda Tozier on March 7, 1860.
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Albert Tozier
Edit ProfileEducation
There Tozier attended Tualatin Academy preparatory school in neighboring Forest Grove where he graduated in 1881.
Career
Albert worked as editor of The Hillsboro Argus and curator of the museum at Champoeg. Of French descent, the Tozier family immigrated to North America and settled in Nova Scotia before moving to the United States. The family traveled overland with a team of oxen to Oregon via the Oregon Trail in 1863, settling in Washington County near Hillsboro.
In 1872, he rang the bell at the Hillsboro Methodist Church on New Year’s Eve to announce the new year.
He returned to do this for 64 consecutive years, traveling from as far away as New York City and South America to keep his streak alive. Based in Lewis County, Washington, in the town of Chehalis, the paper was later known as the Chehalis Nugget.
In 1885, Tozier became the editor and part owner of the Hillsboro Independent newspaper (now The Hillsboro Argus) and remained until 1887. Also in 1885, he helped to found the National Editorial Association, and later served one year as the organization’s president
Tozier served as secretary of the Oregon Press Association for 15 years.
By 1906, he was working for the Farmer paper based in Portland. In the early 1930s, Tozier donated his collection of historical items, which included books, pictures, maps, and other items to the county historical society. The collection was this basis for what became the Washington County Museum.
In 1936, poor health kept him from ringing the bell at the Methodist Church, ending the 64-year tradition.
Tozier died on June 27, 1937, at the age of 77 and was buried at Hillsboro Pioneer Cemetery.
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Born
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Died
June 27, 1937 (aged 77) -
Nationality
United States