Henry Failing

Henry Failing (1834-1898) was a Portland banker and businessman, and mayor for two non-consecutive terms, from 1864 to 1866, and again from 1873 to 1875. His 1866 First National Bank was the first bank established in Oregon.

Along with basic civic improvements like water infrastructure, sewer lines, gas lamps, and clearing the Willamette River for navigation, Failing helped to found Riverview Cemetery and is buried there. Failing also lent his name to the Failing Building and the Failing School, both of which are long gone. NE Failing Street is named after him (as is the amusingly-named Failing Pedestrian Bridge).