Multnomah County OR Archives Biographies.....Andersen, Le Roy C. June 13, 1888 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/or/orfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Ila L. Wakley iwakley@msn.com July 4, 2010, 8:29 pm Source: History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Vol. III, Published 1928, Pages 493 - 494 Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company LE ROY C. ANDERSEN is the secretary and manager of the Portland Iron Works, one of Multnomah county's notable industries which has been in successful 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 service 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 retired from 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. Realizing the benefit and value of educational training, for many years he attended the Benson Polytechnic Night School and also the Jefferson high school, taking up studies pertaining to mechanical subjects in order to promote his efficiency and make his service of greater value to the organization which he represents. As the years passed he won promotion through various departments until he was elected secretary and manager of the business and has since filled this dual position. The Portland Iron Works were established in 1882 by Orlando Clarke and E. H. Thompson. The former died in 1888 and the latter sold his interest about 1885. A few years after the business 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 succeeded 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 block of ground approximately three- fourths of which is covered with buildings two stories in height. Employment is given to from fifty to seventy-five men, practically all skilled workmen, and the principal 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 carried 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 conditions 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 thoroughly 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, Clackamas 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 accomplished, 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. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/or/multnomah/bios/andersen1213gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/orfiles/ File size: 6.1 Kb