Multnomah County OR Archives Biographies.....Bates, D. G. November 18, 1898 - ************************************************ 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 29, 2010, 11:36 pm Source: History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Vol. III, Published 1928, Pages 335 - 336 Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company D. G. BATES. The oldest transfer company in Portland and the largest in the entire northwest is the Oregon Transfer Company, of which D. G. Bates is president. During the years of its existence it has come to be recognized as one of the city's most important business institutions. This enterprise had its beginning in 1848, when C. Bills organized the Portland Hack and Dray Company, which was carried on until 1868, when it was bought by Ben Holliday, who changed its name to that which it now bears. The company was incorporated on August 5, 1871. In 1881 Mr. Holliday sold his interest in the business and was succeeded in the presidency by John Kiernan, who served in that capacity for thirty years, or until 1911. The company was reincorporated in 1909, at which time J. M. Park, Sam W. Herman and Matt Kiernan bought the controlling interest. In 1919 they bought the John Kiernan interest, at which time J. M. Park became president, serving until May 1, 1926. In 1920 Mr. Park bought out Messrs. Herman and Kiernan, and in 1926 he sold the business to D. G. Bates, who became president and is still at the head of the business, being associated with L. B. Mennefee, who is a director. The business was first carried on at the corner of Front and Glisan streets, but was later moved to Sixth and Hoyt streets, where it remained until 1911, when the company built and moved into its own building at 474 Glisan street, another building being erected there in 1912. The company's property at this location now includes one seven-story building and one of four stories, in which are one hundred and twenty-five thousand square feet of space. The buildings are of mill construction and are equipped with a modern sprinkler system for fire protection. The company also has a one and two-story brick building, a block long, on Kearney street, between Sixteenth and Seventeenth streets. This structure, one hundred by two hundred feet in size, is utilized as a barn and garage. The company leases an eight-story building, one hundred by one hundred feet in size, at Eighteenth and Upshur streets, where are stored automobiles and machinery, and also leases a four-story building at Thirteenth and Hoyt streets. The company operates forty-five motor and horse trucks and is capable of handling five hundred tons of material or merchandise every eight-hour shift. It has the contract with the Southern Pacific Railroad for transferring its freight between the freight stations. This firm handled the first issue of the Oregonian, has hauled every printing press installed in Portland, and hauled with horses the first vault for the bank at Oregon City. The company employs sixty men. D. G. Bates was born in Olympia, Washington, on the 18th day of November, 1898, and is a son of D. C. and Elsie (Reese) Bates, who were married in Portland in 1890. His father was for many years successfully engaged in the furniture business in Olympia, and is now retired, living in Portland. D. G. Bates attended the public schools, graduating from high school, and on March 26, 1917, enlisted in Company E, Third Regiment Oregon National Guard, which later became the One Hundred and Sixty-second United States Infantry. Mr. Bates was detached on special duty on the Atlantic coast, in which capacity he served until the end of the war, when he was honorably discharged. He then returned to Portland, to which city his family had moved in 1916, and entered the garage business, in connection with his father and brothers, establishing the Portland Garage, which they still own. In February, 1928, Mr. Bates completed the building of the Motor-Ramp Garage, which is a concrete structure, a half block long and six stories, and has five hundred and fifty stalls, and he also owns the Bates Portland Garage, at Fifth and Taylor streets, which has storage capacity for four hundred and fifty cars. He is treasurer of the garage company and the two garages are run by his brothers, John M. and Reese, while Mr. Bates devotes his attention to the transfer business. On April 21, 1924, Mr. Bates was united in marriage to Miss Marcile Carlock, of Portland, and they are the parents of one child, Marsha Marcile, now three years of age. In his political views Mr. Bates is a strong republican and takes a deep interest in public affairs. He is a member of the Lake Oswego Country Club and the Chamber of Commerce. A capable business man, sound in his judgment and progressive in his methods, he commands a high place in the respect and esteem of his fellowmen. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/or/multnomah/bios/bates1083gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/orfiles/ File size: 5.3 Kb