Multnomah County OR Archives Biographies.....Dawson, K.D. 1887 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Ila L. Wakley iwakley@msn.com May 8, 2009, 11:26 am

Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company

     K. D. DAWSON.  In the forefront of the great business organizations of 
Portland stands the states steamship company, which, within the comparatively 
short period of nine years, has grown to be one of the most important concerns 
in its line on the Pacific coast. The company was organized in 1919, and was 
originally intended to function only as a shipping agent. However, in 1923 it 
became actively engaged in the transportation business, buying at that time 
the "S. S. Peter Kerr," a freighter of eleven thousand tons dead weight. The 
company was so successful in this line that it has since acquired the 
ownership of four other splendid steamers, the "Eastern Knight," of eleven 
thousand tons, the "Jefferson Myers," of twelve thousand tons, the "Myrtle," 
of eight. thousand eight hundred tons, and the "Laurel," of eight thousand 
eight hundred tons total dead weight. In the spring of 1928 the company 
purchased eleven steamers  totaling about one hundred thousand tons dead 
weight from the United States Shipping Board for operation in the company's 
oriental services. The first five steamers are operated in the intercoastal 
trade and the entire fleet are now carrying over a millions tons of freight a 
year to all parts of the world. This company also acts as agents for various 
steamship lines, the list of which includes sixty vessels, passenger and 
freight among which is the Hamburg-American line to Europe.  In all branches 
of its operations, on shipboard, in offices and dock labor, the states 
steamship company employs about nine hundred people, so that its payroll is of 
importance to Portland.  The company makes use of the municipal terminals and 
its operations are so systematized that there is a minimum loss of time in the 
handling of all shipments entrusted to it.  The company has pursued a 
progressive policy and sustains the best relations with the manufacturing and 
business interests from which it draws the major portion of its patronage.
   
     K. D. Dawson, who has rendered able and efficient service as vice 
president and general manager of the states steamship company since its 
organization, was born in Orange county, California, in 1887, and was educated 
in the public schools of that state. He has been identified with the 
transportation business ever since starting out on his own account and is 
regarded as an expert in his line. He became manager for Sudden & Christianson 
in New York city, holding that position until coming to Portland to take 
charge of the operations of the present company, and his record here has been 
such as has gained for him the confidence and regard of all who have been in 
any way associated with him. Mr. Dawson is president of the Portland 
Stevedoring Company and of the Forrest Transport Corporation; is vice 
president of the port of Portland commission of Portland and a director of the 
National Foreign Trade Council. He has devoted his efforts closely to the 
interests of the states steamship company, in the growth of which he has been 
a most important factor and in the success of which he takes a justifiable 
pride.


Additional Comments:
History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Vol. II, 
Pages 674-675

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