One of the most modernly appointed and popular hostelries in the state is the Caples hotel of which Sidney C. Cathching is the owner and manager.  A model hotel in its intricate operations is a mammoth undertaking when run successfully and no one can question the administrative ability of Mr. Catching, who operates his smoothly running enterprise without noise of confusion, utlilizing the most modern and progressive methods of inn-keeping.  He is a native of this state and a representative of one of its honored pioneer families.  He was born on a farm near Forest Grove, in Washington county, on the 28th of October 1865, a son of John S. and Rhoda (Leverich) Catching, the latter of whom crossed the plains from Indiana to Oregon with her parents in 1852.  She is still living and resides in Portland, but the father passed away in Douglas county Oregon in 1889.  The paternal grandfather, William W. Catching, emigrated from Missouri to Oregon in 1845 at which time his son John S. Catching was but five years old, the family home being established on a farm in Washington county.  They were numbered among the very early pioneer settlers of the state, who through thier labors made possible that superior civilization which is now one of the characteristics of the commonwealth.  Braving the dangers of the west, the perils from wild animals and even more savage Indians, they devoted thier lives to the redemption of the Pacific coast region, counting no sacrifice too great that was made for the benefit of thier home locality.  To Mr. and Mrs. John S. Catching were born six children, of whom the subject of this review is the eldest.  He has two sisters and two brothers residing in Portland and another brother living at Jervis, Marion county, Oregon.

Sidney C. Catching attended the district schools, after which he became a student at Portland Business College completing his course by graduation.  On starting out in the world of commerce he took up the fire insurance business and was idientified with Eugene D. White for a period of fourteen years.  In 1898 he accepted a position as bookeeper with the Merchants National Bank of Portland, winning promotion to the office of Assisant Cashier.  He remained with that institution for seventeen years and in 1915 went to Sherwood, Oregon where for about a year he was engaged in business.  He then disposed of his interests in that locality and returned to Portland puchasing the Caples hotel which he has since owned and operated.  Of a genial, pleasing personality, nature seems to have intended him for his present calling and he has made the Caples hotel one of the most popular hostelries in the state, noted for its warm hearted hospitality and homelike appearance.  He posseses a shrewd and discriminating mind and a capacity for detail, combined with an economic knowledge of modern food values and a specialized grasp of the art of the hotel keeping which amounts almost to an inborn talent.  The hotel is most modern in its equipment , its appointments are of the best, showing rare taste and refinement in the selection of its furnishings and a homelike air of comfort prevades the place.  The service here afforded is first-class in every particular, the cuisine being especially popular with the travling public.  The hotel is situated in a quiet exclusive neighborhood, yet conveniently located near the heart of the city, and its patronage is deservedly large.