Multnomah County OR Archives Biographies.....Atwell, Frank Charles March 26, 1887 - January 8, 1925
************************************************
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 May 5, 2007, 9:53 pm

Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company

     FRANK CHARLES ATWELL.  Always keeping abreast of the times, alert with 
the spirit of modern progress, Frank Charles Atwell was widely and prominently 
known in the business circles of Portland until within a few years prior to 
his death, when he was transferred to Los Angeles, a transfer which meant a 
notable promotion with the Mack-International Motor Truck Corporation. Mr. 
Atwell was born in Evanston, Illinois, March 26, 1887, his parents being 
Charles H. and Mary (Kellogg) Atwell. The father is a distinguished educator 
who for forty years has been professor of botany in Northwestern University at 
Evanston and who will be retired in 1929. In the family were three sons and a 
daughter: Henry, of New York city; Frank C. Atwell; Ruth, who is the wife of 
John A. Detlefsen, a prominent educator; and William, who is now in the 
Whitcomb Hotel of San Francisco.
     After acquiring his early education in the public schools of his native 
city Frank C. Atwell became a student in the Tome School for Boys at Port 
Deposit, Maryland, where he was graduated with the class of 1907. He later 
entered Northwestern University at Evanston and is numbered among its alumni 
of 1910. The same year he entered the truck field by becoming associated with 
a Chicago firm engaged in the manufacture of the Saurer truck. The following 
year this company was reorganized and its plant established at Plainfield, New 
Jersey. In October, 1911, the Saurer Motor Company was merged with the Mack 
Brothers Motor Car Company in the International Motor Company, makers of Mack 
trucks. Mr. Atwell had applied himself so thoroughly to the mastery of the 
business that he was appointed superintendent of service and operation in 
Chicago, where he remained until 1912, when he was transferred to the Pacific 
coast as factory representative. In February, 1913, he was further advanced by 
appointment to the position of branch manager in Portland and when the factory 
branches were discontinued by the company in the following year Mr. Atwell was 
placed at the head of the agency, so continuing until March, 1919.  At that 
date Portland was made a branch point for the Mack-International Motor Truck 
Corporation and Mr. Atwell was chosen manager. When he arrived in Portland 
there were only five Mack trucks in Oregon and before he left Portland in 1921 
there were approximately five hundred. He left this city to become assistant 
vice president with headquarters in Los Angeles, a position of large 
responsibility for which he was well fitted, although but thirty-four years of 
age. Many friends regretted his departure from Portland, for he was a popular 
resident here, recognized as a notably enterprising and progressive business 
man, while at the same time he took a very active part in fraternal and civic 
enterprises.
     On the 25th of November, 1915, Mr. Atwell was united in marriage to Miss 
Clementine Lakin, a daughter of Charles A. and Rosella (Hubler) Lakin, 
mentioned else where in this work. During their residence in Los Angeles, Mr. 
Atwell applied him self so closely to his business that overwork caused a 
breakdown, resulting ultimately in his demise on the 8th of January, 1925. He 
was a member of the Masonic fraternity, taking the Knight Templar degree in 
the York Rite, the consistory degrees in the Scottish Rite, and with the 
Mystic Shrine he was also identified, his membership being in the Portland 
branches of the order. During his residence here he was also a member of the 
Rotary Club, the Automobile Club and the Waverly Golf Club. He brought to 
everything that he attempted an enthusiasm and a purpose that resulted in 
successful accomplishment. He had attained an unusually prominent position for 
one of his years and was as popular among business associates as he was among 
those whom he met in social relations.  He had those qualities which drew men 
to him in ties of strong friendship, and those with whom he was associated 
felt a strong sense of personal loss when he was called to his final rest That 
his interests and his wife’s were one in every way was shown in the close 
companionship that was manifest in all that they did, and since her husband’s 
death Mrs. Atwell has returned to Portland, making her home at 509 East 
Nineteenth street, North, where she is surrounded by many who esteem her 
highly, according her a prominent place in the social circles of the city. 


Additional Comments:
History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Pages 248-249

Photo: http://www.usgwarchives.net/or/multnomah/photos/bios/atwell324gbs.jpg

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/or/multnomah/bios/atwell324gbs.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/orfiles/

File size: 5.2 Kb