Built the First Rock Road in That County. Through All This Period He Was
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COLUMBiA RIVER VALLEY 493 of Missouri; Robert, of Kansas; Dr. Francis Graffis, of Portland, Oregon; Mrs. Emma Reissner, a widow, who is a twin sister of D. B. Reasoner and who resides in Los Angeles, California; and Dr. Nettie Bawn, of Long Beach, California. D. B. Reasoner acquired his education in the frontier schools of Iowa and re- mained at home until his marriage in 1881.Two years later he came to the north- west, settling at Pomeroy, Washington, where he worked at the carpenter trade for about a year, having learned the trade some time previously.In 1884 he removed to Newberg, Oregon, where he engaged in contracting and building for about four years and then took up his abode in Middleton, Washington county, Oregon, where he became prominent in public life and was the first county commissioner elected to a four-year term.Through reelection he served eight years and later he was the first to be chosen county judge for a six years' term.While filling the office of county commissioner he bought the first rock crusher used in Washington county and also built the first rock road in that county.Through all this period he was likewise engaged in farming, meeting with very satisfactory success.He lived in Hillsboro until 1923, when he sold a part of his holdings in that county and established his home in Vernonia, where he took charge of the construction of a logging railroad. In 1924 he was appointed city clerk and recorder and is still serving in the dual capacity.In 1898 he was engaged in cutting piling on the Molalla river, rafting the piles to Oregon City, where he brailed them together and ran them through the locks to St. Johns, whence they were shipped to Salt Lake, Utah, and used in the construction of the Oregon Short Line Cut-off railroad to Salt Lake City.Mr. Reas- oner owns several residence properties in Vernonia which are rented and also has real estate in Hillsboro. He occupies a comfortable and attractive home in Vernonia, situated in the midst of beautiful grounds. In 1881 Mr. Reasoner married Miss Julia Janeway, who was born and reared in Iowa and who passed away July 4, 1927.They were parents of four children, three now living: Raymond F., who was born in Iowa and now lives at Grants Pass, Oregon, is married and has two children, Dorothy and Evelyn, aged respectively sixteen and ten years.The daughters are Mrs. Jennie Beach, of North Plains, Washington coun- ty, Oregon, and Mrs. ma Bowman, of Hillsboro, Oregon, who is the mother of a daughter, Grace. Mr. Reasoner is particularly fond of flowers and in his well kept garden has over two hundred different varieties, of which one hundred and ten are dahlias.His gardens are acclaimed a beauty spot of Vernonia and Mr. Reasoner finds the greatest delight in cultivating his plants.Throughout his entirelife he has shown the courageous spirit which carried his ancestors into various frontier regions to become community builders, and his own record is in harmony therewith. LE ROY C. ANDERSEN Le Roy C. Andersen is the secretary and manager of the Portland Iron Works, one of Multnomah county's notable industries which has been insuccessful operation for over forty-five years and has gained a wide reputation for the superior quality of its products.Mr. Andersen has been identified with the business for more than twenty years in various positions and during this period his loyal and efficient serv- ice has been a definite factor in its success.Mr. Andersen was born in Manistee, Michigan, June 13, 1888, a son of Ole and Mary Andersen, who brought their family to Portland in 1890 and who are now living here, the father having retiredfrom active business. Le Roy C. Andersen had the advantage of public and high school education,after which he attended a law school for a short time.In March, 1908, he entered the employ of the Portland Iron Works in the capacity of stenographer and clerk.Real- izing the benefit and value of educational training, for many years he attendedthe Benson Polytechnic Night School and also the Jefferson high school, taking upstudies pertaining to mechanical subjects in order to promote his efficiency andmake his service of greater value to the organization which he represents. As the yearspassed he won promotion through various departments until he was elected secretaryand manager of the business and has since filled this dualposition.The Portland Iron Works were established in 1882 by Orlando Clarke and E. H. Thompson.The former 494 COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY died in 1888 and the latter sold his interest about 1885. A few years after the busi- ness was founded James A. Gowanlock acquired an interest and remained identified with the company until his death in 1903.Orlando Clarke at his demise was suc- ceeded by his son, Harry T. Clarke, who remained the president of the company until 1919, when he was succeeded by his wife, Mrs. Inez R. Clarke, who is still at the head of the corporation.J. A. Gowanlock, Jr., filled the office of vice president from 1903 until 1913, when he was succeeded by his sister, Edith M. Gowanlock, who died in 1928.The next incumbent of the position was R. W. Gowanlock, who died in August, 1928, when James K. Gowanlock, nephew of Edith and R. W. Gowanlock, became vice president.The first secretary of the company was Harry T. Clarke, who served until he was called to the presidency in 1888, when H. A. Moser took up the duties of that position.A few months later, however, he was followed by A. S. Collins, who served until February, 1895, when J. A. Gowanlock became secretary and so continued until January 1, 1906.W. I. Harris then filled the office until December 3, 1920, when Le Roy C. Anderson became secretary and general manager. The company owns a blockofground approximatelythree-fourthsofwhich is covered with buildings two stories in height.Employment is given to from fiftytoseventy-fivemen,practicallyallskilledworkmen, andtheprincipal products of the plant are sawmill and transmission machinery,floor and roof drains, while a general jobbing business in all kinds of machinery is likewise car- ried on.The output of the plant is largely sold throughout the northwest.The Portland Iron Works is widely known throughout the United States because of its floor and roof drains, which are made in a great variety of styles, meeting all condi- tions and requirements and receiving the approval of the leading architects and plumbers of the country.During all the years of its existence the company has enjoyed unqualified public confidence due to its sound business methods and square dealing and has been accorded a steady and substantial increase in patronage.For more than twenty years Mr. Andersen has continuously concentrated his energies upon the work of the company and is now in official position, giving his attention to executive direction and administrative control.Every phase of the business is thor- oughly familiar to him and his labors are constituting a vital element in its continued success. In 1913 Mr. Anderson was married to Miss Clara Gunderson, of Boring, Clacka- mas county, Oregon, and they are the parents of three children:Lester, Myrtle and Lillian.Mr. Andersen is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Modern Woodmen of America. He belongs also to the Chamber of Commerce, the United Metal Trades Association, of which he is a past president, the United Metal Trades Association of the Pacific Northwest, of which he is first vice president, and the Oregon Industrial Council, of which he is also vice president.He gives his political support to the republican party and has ever shown loyal support to those projects which promote the general welfare and upbuilding of city and county.He deserves much credit for what he has accom- plished, being a self-educated and self-made man, his advancement being due to his inherent powers and the wise use he has made of his time and opportunities.The hours which most young men devote to pleasure and recreation were by him given to study and research that he might make his service more worth while to the company which he represented and in which he is now occupying important official position, thus gaining a place among the prominent representatives of industrial activity in the northwest. CLYMER MARLAY NOBLE Clymer M. Noble, who is engaged in the investment business in Portland, with offices in the Lumberman's building, is meeting with well merited success and bears a reputation as a capable and trustworthy business man. He was born in Portland on April 8, 1896, is a son of Henry E. and Ella T. (Trimble) Noble, and is of Scotch- Irish lineage.His father was born in Syracuse, New York, and was reared and educated there.In 1893 he came to Portland and engaged in the mortgage and timber land business, in which he met success, becoming owner of large and valuable tracts of timber.His death occurred in January, 1926, at the age of seventy years. COLUMBIA RIVER VALLEY 497 The mother was born in Hilisboro, Ohio, and sixty-eight years. died in December, 1926, at the age of C. M. Noble attended the public schools of Portland,and entered the Preparatory School at Lawrenceville, New Jersey, fromwhich he was graduated in 1916. He had one year at Yale University, laying aside his textbooksin April, 1917, to enlist for service in the World war.