Multnomah County OR Archives Biographies.....McDonald, W. R. November 14, 1882 - ************************************************ 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 October 5, 2009, 11:51 pm Source: History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Vol. III, Published 1928, Pages 10-11 Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company Portland has been the city of opportunity to W. R. McDonald, who has achieved the full measure of success in the insurance business and has also won prominence as a legislator. He was born November 14, 1882, in Virginia, Illinois. His father, William McDonald, who was identified with the grain elevator business in that state, passed away in 1885, leaving a widow, Mrs. Ida McDonald, who afterward remarried and is now living in Colorado. W. R. McDonald attended the public schools of his native state and completed a course in a business college. During his boyhood he worked on various farms in the middle west and later went to Colorado with his mother and stepfather, becoming an ore sorter in one of the Cripple Creek mines. In 1905 he journeyed to Dallas, Texas, and secured a position in the claim department of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad. Afterward he spent a short time in California and in 1909 came to Portland, obtaining employment in the claim department of the Spokane, Portland & Seattle Railroad. Subsequently he was identified with other corporations, continuing in the same line of work, of which he acquired a highly specialized knowledge. In 1912 Mr. McDonald was appointed adjuster for the General Accident Assurance Corporation, Ltd., and in 1916 was made general agent for Oregon. Since that time he has also represented the Hanover and Potomac Fire Insurance Companies and specializes in casualty and fire insurance. The W. R. McDonald Company has an enviable record of service to the public and has become one of the leading underwriters of general insurance in Oregon. Representing as it does some of the largest and most popular companies in the country, it is not surprising that this well known insurance office is conducted by insurance experts and enjoys a large patronage. But the unusual success that this organization has achieved is due in a large measure to the fact that they appreciate the value and necessity of genuine service in carrying on their business. Since the inception of this firm they have been at the service of their patrons at all times, willing and anxious to give any information desired and assuring all persons that no obligation is incurred by making inquiries as to rates, coverage, companies, etc. Courtesy and accommodation have been the bywords of their progress, and the scores of clients who have consulted and purchased insurance at their office are enthusiastic for their commendable policy which has brought about an increase in patronage. The W. R. McDonald Company offers its patrons the service not only of insurance experts but of companies that enjoy enviable reputations throughout the country. They are also experts in the surety bond field and can render service comparable to that of any firm in Portland. Mr. McDonald began business in one room on the seventh floor of the Corbett building but today occupies a suite of eight rooms in the Yeon building and has a loyal and well trained office force of twenty-one persons, one of whom has been in his employ from the start. In 1904 Mr. McDonald was united in marriage to Mamie M. Walker, of Colorado, and both are prominent in social circles of Portland. Mr. McDonald is an adherent of the republican party and during the session of 1921-22 represented his district in the Oregon legislature, proving conscientious and efficient as a public servant. He is a Knight Templar Mason, a Noble of the Mystic Shrine and also an Elk of high standing. In 1915 he was made exalted ruler of the local lodge of Elks, of which he has been an officer for seventeen years. For nine years he has been one of its trustees and also served on the committee which had charge of the building of the new Elks Temple in Portland. He is a member of the Multnomah Golf and Athletic Clubs, the Portland Chamber of Commerce, the Association of Fire Insurance General Agents, and for six years has been vice president of the Oregon State Motor Association. Coming to this city with no assets save energy, determination and keen intelligence, Mr. McDonald has "made good" and possesses many admirable traits of character, as his fellow citizens attest. Photo: http://www.usgwarchives.net/or/multnomah/photos/bios/mcdonald841gbs.jpg File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/or/multnomah/bios/mcdonald841gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/orfiles/ File size: 5.0 Kb