Multnomah County OR Archives Biographies.....Rosene, Victor 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Ila Wakley iwakley@msn.com October 24, 2009, 3:51 pm

Source: History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Vol. III, Published 1928, Pages 104-105
Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company

     The Western Fixture and Showcase Company, of Portland, has in the space 
of sixteen years been built up from a modest concern, with one employee, to 
one of the leading establishments in its line on the coast, doing a business 
of nearly a quarter of a million dollars annually. This result has been 
achieved through the indefatigable efforts, splendid technical ability and 
sound judgment of the president of the company, Victor Rosene, who is a 
progressive and energetic business man. Born in Sweden, he is the youngest of 
the nine children of John and Margaret (Sahlberg) Rosene. His father, who is 
deceased, was for many years engaged in the store fixture and show case 
business in Sweden and never came to this country.

     Victor Rosene came to the United States alone in 1903 and located in 
Portland just before the Lewis & Clark exposition of 1905. He was employed in 
various shops of this city for a few years and in 1912, having saved a few 
hundred dollars, he engaged in business on his own account, having at first a 
partner, who later sold his interest to A. E. Johnson, now secretary and 
treasurer of the Company. The original plant was located at Tenth and Davis 
streets, but the business had a steady and healthy growth, so that in 1919, it 
being necessary to secure larger quarters, the plant was moved to its present 
location at 269 Sixteenth street, where it utilizes seventeen thousand square 
feet of floor space. Under normal conditions from forty to fifty men are now 
employed and all of the mechanical equipment is modern and up-to-date. The 
company manufacturers all kinds of store fixtures, store fronts, bank and 
office fixtures and interiors, for which it does its own designing, and one 
proof of its efficiency and ability along this line is the fact that this 
company has furnished practically all of the fixtures of the leading jewelry 
stores in Portland. The early years of Mr. Rosene's business career here were 
marked by hard work and long hours, for he usually spent the daytime in 
soliciting business, while the evenings were spent in his shop, getting the 
work out. The present officers of the Western Fixtures and Showcase Company 
are Victor Rosene, president; Mrs. Elizabeth Rosene, vice president, and A. E. 
Johnson, secretary and treasurer, the company being incorporated in 1913. Its 
plant and equipment have been built up solely from the earnings of the 
business.

     In 1908, in Portland, Mr. Rosene was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth 
Westling, who is a native of Sweden, whence she was brought to the United 
States in young girlhood. To them has been born a daughter, Eleanor, now 
twelve years of age. Mr. Rosene is a member of the Builders Exchange and the 
Oregon Manufacturers Association. Of cordial and affable manner, he has gained 
a high reputation for reliability and trustworthiness and holds an enviable 
place in the business circles of this city.

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