Multnomah County OR Archives Biographies.....Dirker, William S. 1875 - ************************************************ 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 Wakley iwakley@msn.com January 13, 2011, 2:20 pm Source: History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Vol. III, Published 1928, Pages 648 - 649 Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company WILLIAM S. DIRKER. The successful operation of any great business depends as much on its sales department as on any other single factor. In the organization of the American Can Company in the northwest district one of the most efficient and valuable officers is William S. Dirker, who for ten years has served with ability as district sales manager, for which position he has shown himself particularly well qualified. Mr. Dirker was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1875, and is a son of Charles A. and Eliza Dirker, also natives of that state. His father was for many years engaged in the grocery business and both parents are now deceased. Mr. Dirker received a good public school education, graduating from high school, after which he went to work as a clerk in a country store. Later he returned to New Orleans and engaged in the manufacturers' agency business, in which he was successful, among his connections being the American Can Company. In 1910 he was appointed that company's local sales manager at New Orleans. Through close application, energetic methods and keen sagacity, he made an excellent record, so that he well earned the promotion that came to him when in 1918 he was made district sales manager at Portland, in which position he has served to the present time. The territory covered by this district includes Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Alaska and in this field Mr. Dirker has built up an enormous business, as may be inferred from the statement that the great plant at Portland turns out a million packers' cans a day, besides a large amount of other lines, covering about four hundred items. In 1906 Mr. Dirker was united in marriage to Miss Edna Brady, of New Orleans, and they are the parents of two children, Brady, who is a student in the University of Oregon, and William J., Jr., a lad of seven years. Mr. Dirker is a member of the Rotary Club, of which he is a director, the Portland Golf Club, the Oswego Golf Club and the Portland Chamber of Commerce. He is independent in his political views, but invariably gives his support to those measures which in his judgment are calculated to promote the public welfare. He has been a loyal and valued member of the official personnel of his company, in the interests of which he has been indefatigable, and he commands the sincere regard of his associates and the confidence of all with whom he has had business contact. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/or/multnomah/bios/dirker1334gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/orfiles/ File size: 3.1 Kb