Multnomah-Umatilla County OR Archives Biographies.....Thompson, William L. June 15, 1879 - ************************************************ 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 L. Wakley iwakley@msn.com October 26, 2008, 12:40 pm Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company WILLIAM L. THOMPSON. As a financier of broad experience and superior ability William L. Thompson has achieved national prominence and also figures conspicuously in other walks of life. In public office he rendered service of importance and value to the state and for eight years has occupied a central place on the stage of activity in Portland. A native of Wisconsin, he was born in Clayton, June 15, 1879, a son of E. J. and Josephine Thompson, both now deceased. His father was an enterprising merchant and capable business man. In New Richmond, Wisconsin, William L. Thompson completed a high school course and for a year was a student of biology at Carleton College. Later he matriculated at McGill University at Montreal, Canada, but did not attend. His first knowledge of financial affairs was gained in the Manufacturers Bank at New Richmond, Wisconsin. Starting as a bookkeeper at fifteen dollars per month, he at once demonstrated his worth and at the end of the first month his salary was doubled. Promotions rapidly followed and at the age of seventeen he was made assistant cashier of the bank. On leaving New Richmond he went to Lewiston, Idaho, as cashier of the First National Bank and in 1904 came to Oregon, organizing the Commercial National Bank of Pendleton. Mr. Thompson was elected cashier of the institution and in 1909 obtained control of the American National Bank. The two institutions were consolidated and at the time of the reorganization Mr. Thompson assumed the duties of president. Under his judicious administration the business prospered and in 1919 he sought a larger field of activity, coming to Portland as vice president of the First National Bank, contributing materially toward the success of the bank. This office he resigned in January, 1928, but remained on the board of directors. In January, 1926, he disposed of his holdings in Pendleton. A recognized authority on matters pertaining to banking, Mr. Thompson was summoned to Washington, D. C., to aid the directors of the war finance commission in 1921 and was largely instrumental in devising plans for the relief of the agricultural interests of this country, devoting several months to that important work. In association with the late A. L. Mills he established the Pacific Coast Joint Stock Land Bank in 1922, becoming one of its vice presidents, and is now president of the institution, which is steadily growing in prestige and usefulness. For twelve years he has been a director of the Oregon Life Insurance Company and since 1924 has controlled the Columbia River Packers Association, Inc., of which he is the president, displaying notable wisdom and administrative power in the conduct of his affairs. The association maintains its headquarters in Astoria and operates a number of well equipped salmon-canning plants on the Columbia river and in Alaska. In 1900 Mr. Thompson married Miss Alletta Baumeister, of Asotin, Washington, and they have become the parents of a son, Edward, now a young man of twenty-five years. He completed a course in the University of Oregon and next attended the Harvard School of Business Administration. Later he was graduated from the College of Fisheries at Seattle, Washington, and is serving as secretary of the Columbia River Packers Association, Inc. His technical knowledge is supplemented by the requisite executive force and in the activities of the corporation he plays a leading part. In religious faith William L. Thompson is a Congregationalist and his political allegiance is given to the republican party. In 1915 he was selected as one of the commissioners of the Panama-Pacific Exposition at San Francisco, California, in which he ably represented Oregon, and from 1917 until 1919 served on the state highway commission,—the first under the bonding act. His record in that connection was equally commendable and as a member of the port of Portland commission he is striving earnestly to promote the shipping interests of the city. Through his affiliation with the Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Thompson has endeavored to secure new industries for Portland and loses no opportunity to exploit its resources and advantages. In Masonry he has attained the thirty-second degree and along social lines is connected with the Arlington and Waverly Clubs. His is a many-sided, forceful personality, and the rules which govern his life are such as command respect and inspire esteem and confidence. Additional Comments: History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Vol. II, Pages 516-517 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/or/multnomah/bios/thompson503gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/orfiles/ File size: 5.2 Kb