Lockley, Fred. "History of the Columbia River Valley, From The Dalles to the Sea." Vol. 3. S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1928. p. 709. JULIUS L. MEIER Liberally endowed with that faculty known as "the commercial sense" and thoroughly imbued with the progressive spirit of the west, Julius L. Meier occupies a commanding position in mercantile circles of Portland and from the age of nineteen years has been active in the management of the Meier & Frank department store, founded by his father, in fact he grew up in the store. Business, however, constitutes but one phase of his life, for Mr. Meier is a broad-guaged man who has directed his energies into those channels through which flows the greatest and most permanent good to the largest number, proving his public spirit by actual achievements. Both his city and state have derived marked benefit from his generous, unselfish nature and constructive labors, and judged from the standpoint of usefulness, his life has been notably successful. A native of Portland, Mr. Meier was born December 31, 1876, and is a son of Aaron Meier, mentioned elsewhere in this work. He attended the public schools of the city and was graduated from the University of Oregon. He was admitted to the bar and began the practice of law in Portland. In 1895 he entered the Meier & Frank establishment as assistant to Mr. Frank and soon displayed a natural aptitude for the business, with which he has been identified for a period of thirty-two years. He combines a capacity for detail with executive ability of a high order and has formulated well devised plans for the expansion of the business, at the same time increasing the prestige enjoyed by the firm. Its present officers are: Abraham Meier, president; Julius L. Meier, vice president and general manager; Leon Hirsch, secretary; and Lloyd Frank, treasurer. The first store, thirty-five by fifty feet, was opened on Front street in May, 1867, by Aaron Meier, who was later joined by Sigmund Frank, and during the formative period in the history of the business the partners waited upon their customers, thus establishing that democratic spirit which has prevailed to the present time. Some twenty years later the firm of Meier & Frank moved into an adjoining building, opening on First street, and in 1885 they leased the ground, on which they erected a two-story structure at Nos. 185-87 First street, covering a space one hundred by two hundred feet. Four years later a quarter of a block at the corner of Second and Taylor streets was purchased and a two-story brick annex was completed. In 1891 a store at the corner of Second and Yamhill streets was added, giving an opening on four streets. The company purchased the ground on Fifth street, bounded by Morrison and Alder, and in 1897 erected thereon a five-story building. This location was at that time beyond the retail zone. The quarter occupied by the Sixth street annex was purchased in 1904 and the present fourteen-story building was completed in June, 1915, constituting the largest and finest department store in the Pacific northwest. This is a store for all the people and has never lost its standard of friendly atmosphere and courteous service, and is known as "Portland's own store." The marked success of the Meier & Frank establishment is based principally upon the policy of close relationship between the firm, its employes and its patrons, which was established by Aaron Meier. "Service First" is the slogan of the store. Courtesy, patience, a neat appearance, a pleasant voice and a smile, all go toward giving good service. Knowing that a satisfied customer constitutes the best advertisement, the firm exerts every effort to meet the demands of the trade and no dissatisfied customer ever leaves their establishment. The business has endured for seventy-one years because it was reared upon the solid foundation of commercial integrity, and the firm name has become synonymous with all that is best and highest in the ideals of merchandising. In 1991 Mr. Meier married Miss Grace R. Mayer, of Portland, and they became the parents of three children, Jean Ellen, Elsa Frances and Julius L. Meier, Jr. Mr. Meier was a prime mover in the project for the building of the Columbia River highway and with nine associates underwrote Vista House, each man contributing ten thousand dollars toward the fund of one hundred thousand dollars. At Crown Point, overlooking the majestic river, stands this memorial to the pioneers. The building is a beautiful structure of concrete, steel, copper and glass and is used as a rest house for the hundreds of thousands of tourists who traverse the Columbia River highway. It occupies the highest point reached by the drive and provides inspiring views of the highway. Mr. Meier was chosen president of the Columbia River Highway Association and in perfecting this great public project expended much time, effort and money. He is a chairman of the aviation committee of the Portland Chamber of Commerce and one of the chief promoters of an aerial route from Pasco, Washington, to Portland, also working untiringly for the opening of a route for airplanes over the Columbia River gorge. In many movements for the development of this great region Mr. Meier has been a dominant figure and is rightly termed "one of the most progressive men in the Pacific northwest." Actuated by high ideals, he has used practical methods in their attainment, and his life presents a notable example of what constitutes good citizenship. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in January 2008 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.