Multnomah County OR Archives Biographies.....Taylor, James W. July 30, 1872 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Ila L. Wakley iwakley@msn.com May 16, 2009, 4:41 pm

Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company

     JAMES W. TAYLOR, president of the Olsen-Roe Transfer Company, of 
Portland, has had a career of varied experiences, some of which were 
unpleasant, but since coming to Portland, twenty years ago, has met with 
notable success in his business affairs, due to his persistent and well 
directed efforts. He was born in England, on the 30th of July, 1872, and is a 
son of James and Margaret (Leeming) Taylor. After completing his public school 
education, he entered the Trinity House Navigation school, and, when fourteen 
and a half years of age, went to sea on the "Clan McKinzie," a full-rigged 
ship, as an apprentice. He followed sailing for four years and on his last 
voyage came to Portland. He left Astoria on December 26, 1890, and on coming 
into Portland harbor anchored for the night near the city dock. At one o'clock 
the steamship "Oregon" ran into the "Clan McKinzie," killing two seamen and 
wounding another and sinking the ship. Mr. Taylor then quit the sea and, with 
a cash capital of twenty dollars, started out to make his living on land. He 
went to work in a lumber camp at Goble, Oregon, where he remained a little 
over two years, after which he went to the upper Columbia river, locating at 
Cook's Landing, where for fourteen years he worked for the Oregon Lumber 
Company. He then was made captain of that company's tugboat, which he 
commanded for six years, after which he bought a tugboat of his own, 
the "Maja," which he later sold, and soon afterwards also bought the "Pearl," 
operating the two boats at different times six years. He also went into the 
passenger business, as captain of "G. W. Simons," which he operated for awhile 
between the Cascades and The Dalles, and then resigned. He bought back a 
tugboat, which he ran until the completion of the Northbank railroad, when he 
traded the boat to the Olsen-Roe Transfer Company for an interest in that 
concern, and has been identified with it continuously since. This company was 
established in 1907 by Henry Roe and C. M. OIsen, and was first located on 
First street, later moving to 209 Oak street. In 1913 they moved to Front and 
Oak streets, and in 1914 came to the present location at 514 Hoyt street, 
occupying a building erected for them and which is one hundred by one hundred 
feet in size, two stories and basement. It is of concrete construction, is 
well adapted to the uses of the company, and has a railroad siding, which 
facilitates the handling of goods. The company does a general transfer and 
storage business, employing eight motor trucks and twelve or more men. Mr. 
Taylor became president of the company in 1908 and has held that position 
continuously since, J. W. Fisher being the secretary of the company. Their 
business has enjoyed a steady and substantial growth and their careful 
handling of goods and their sound business methods have gained for them public 
confidence and patronage.

     In 1901 Mr. Taylor was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Popple, of Hood 
River, Oregon, a daughter of Simpson Popple, who was a pioneer of that 
district. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor are the parents of five children: Marion, who is 
the wife of Dr. Charles Stotty, of Portland; Alice, the wife of Charles Bauer, 
of Portland; and Lavell, Hazel and Dorothy, who are at home. Mr. Taylor is a 
member of Multnomah Camp, No. 77, W. O. W., and in his political views is 
independent. He has applied himself closely to his business affairs, in which 
he has exercised sound and practical judgment, and the prosperity which has 
come to him has been well merited, for he has been fair and square in all of 
his dealings and commands the respect of all who know him.

Additional Comments:
History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Vol. II, 
Pages 728-729

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