Multnomah County OR Archives Biographies.....Tauscher, Frank A. June 29, 1879 - 
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Source: History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Vol. III, Published 1928, Pages 854 - 857
Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company

     FRANK A. TAUSCHER.  No history of Portland and its commercial and 
industrial activity would be complete without mention of the Doernbecher 
Manufacturing Company, and with the growth and success of this important 
enterprise Frank A. Tauscher has been associated from the age of fourteen 
years. While at all times giving full and due credit to the founder and 
proprietor of the business, it is well known that he did much to further this 
undertaking, cooperating most efficiently in all Mr. Doernbecher's plans and 
supplementing his processes by practical service that led to the successful 
accomplishment of his purposes. Mr. Tauscher was born in Austria, January 29, 
1879, but was only five years of age when he came to the United States in 
company with his parents, Ambrose and Julia Tauscher, who settled in Chehalis, 
Washington. Before emigrating to America the father had been connected with 
lumber and flour mills of Europe and after becoming a resident of Chehalis 
secured employment in the Doernbecher factory.

     The educational opportunities of Frank A. Tauscher were somewhat limited. 
He attended the public schools to the age of fourteen, when one day he carried 
his father's lunch to the factory, where he saw a piece of wood carving. It 
was always natural for him to draw and he picked up a piece of wood on which 
he began copying the carving. Thoroughly intent upon the task, he finally 
realized that someone was watching and saw that it was Mr. Doernbecher, who 
complimented the boy on his accuracy and ability and at once made arrangements 
for him to start in to learn wood carving and designing. A private teacher was 
secured for his instruction and he studied at nights while working in the 
factory in the day at a salary of fifty cents per day. From the first Mr. 
Doernbecher took a special interest in the lad and allowed him to use his 
tools in learning the trade. In the meantime he was also acquiring much other 
knowledge about the factory and its operations. The actual date of his 
beginning work there was September 6, 1893, and from that point forward 
through more than a third of a century he was closely associated with the 
business, making steady progress through his close application and the 
development of his powers. Mr. Doernbecher was an expert wood carver and 
designer and watched the boy's work, helping him at all times. His efforts 
were recognized and rewarded by promotion as his efficiency increased. In 
1900, when Mr. Doernbecher removed his factory from Chehalis to Portland, Mr. 
Tauscher came with him and greatly assisted him in building the first unit of 
the present immense plant and in getting the factory started. In a word he was 
one of Mr. Doernbecher's right hand men, his knowledge enabling him to readily 
comprehend what his employer wanted and to make it a tangible element in the 
conduct of the plant. In the beginning only about seventy people were employed 
in Portland, but as the business grew the force increased to over seven 
hundred employes and unit after unit of the great factory was built. He always 
worked with Mr. Doernbecher, who would make many suggestions which were 
carried out by Mr. Tauscher. The latter also brought forth many original ideas 
that became factors in the operation of the plant and as the business grew he 
was placed in charge of the shipping room and finish department and continued 
to act in that capacity for a time but later concentrated his attention upon 
designing. On the 1st of July, 1928, he sold his interest in the plant but 
continues as designer.

     On the 27th of October, 1915, Mr. Tauscher was married to Miss Florence 
Harpka, of St. Paul, Minnesota. He is a member of the Elks Lodge, No. 142, of 
Portland but has largely concentrated his time and attention upon business 
affairs, ever recognizing the ability of his employer and giving to the master 
mind great credit for the notable success of the enterprise. He says that in 
the factory Mr. Doernbecher was all business and very strict, expecting and 
demanding thorough loyalty, but outside of his factory was a most genial 
companion, never displaying any feeling of superiority over his men but giving 
to them his warm friendship. Mr. Tauscher says that there are three 
outstanding events in his life for which he needs to be thankful, the first 
being that his father early taught him frugality, the second that he had the 
benefit of instruction from a private teacher in Chehalis and the third that 
he had his training under Mr. Doernbecher. On the other hand there are many 
boys who would not have profited by these conditions, but Mr. Tauscher was 
industrious and was prompted by a laudable ambition to succeed. He therefore 
used his opportunities wisely and well and with the passing years advanced to 
a position of prominence in the manufacturing circles of the Columbia River 
valley.

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