Multnomah County OR Archives Biographies.....Dondero, Charles J. 1876 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Ila L. Wakley iwakley@msn.com September 20, 2010, 10:48 pm

Source: History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Vol. III, Published 1928, Pages 507 - 508
Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company

     CHARLES J. DONDERO.  Enterprising, resolute and resourceful, Charles J. 
Dondero has all of the qualities essential to success in the business world 
and for nearly a quarter of a century Portland has numbered him among its 
prominent manufacturers. A native of Genoa, Nevada, he was born in 1876, a son 
of J. B. and Rose Dondero, who were married in New York. They went to Nevada 
early in the '70s and the father devoted his attention to the occupation of 
mining.

     During the childhood of Charles J. Dondero the family migrated to 
California and his education was acquired in that state. When a youth of 
fifteen he laid aside his textbooks and a year later left home. Going to 
Oakland, California, he secured a position in a sash and door factory, in 
which he spent two years, and about 1895 located in San Francisco. There he 
entered the employ of Thomas Furlong and became proficient in the line of work 
which he has since followed. The firm had been making large shipments to 
Portland and he decided to identify his interests with those of the city. Here 
he embarked in business in 1904, at the corner of Union avenue and East Oak 
street, as a manufacturer of cement laundry trays. The building was destroyed 
by fire in 1905, after which he spent about four months in California. On his 
return to Portland, Mr. Dondero established his business at East Clay street 
and Union avenue and in 1908 transferred his activities to Sixth and Main 
streets. There he remained until 1927, when he erected a substantial building 
of concrete construction, one story in height. It is one hundred feet square 
and located at No. 415 East Eighth street. Mr. Dondero makes only laundry 
trays, using the Anchor trade-mark, and has developed a concrete composition 
of great density and powers of resistance which enable it to withstand 
expansion from hot water. This process is known only to Mr. Dondero, whose 
trays never leak or crack and are superior to all others on the market. His 
plant has a capacity of twenty trays per day and requires four men when 
running at full speed. Shipments are made to various points in Oregon, 
Montana, Idaho and Washington and also to northern California. Sales are made 
through plumbing jobbers only and the output is marketed by Crane & Company, 
the Consolidated Supply Company, the Plumbers Supply Company, the Stone Supply 
Company and the Stulsaft Company. Through deep thought and intensive study he 
has evolved methods resulting in increased efficiency in the operation of his 
business, and has left the deep impress of his individuality upon his work.

     Mr. Dondero is identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, 
the East Side Commercial Club and the Manufacturers Association. His 
commercial transactions have always balanced up with the principles of truth 
and honor and he has many friends, whose esteem he has won by a life of 
industry and rightly directed endeavor.

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