Lockley, Fred. "History of the Columbia River Valley, From The Dalles to the Sea." Vol. 2. S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1928. p. 728. JAMES W. TAYLOR 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. Olsen, 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 in 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. Transcriber's additional notes: Census 1900, June 13; Wasco Co, OR; Viento Pct, p 63 James Taylor, 27, (no month/yr), ENG, ENG, ENG, married 2 yrs, salesman, general merchandise Bertha, wife, 22, (no month/yr), IA, --, --, mar 2 yrs, 1 child-1 living Alice, dau, 1, May 1899, OR, ENG, IA 1910, April 25; Multnomah Co, Or; Portland Pct 56, p 247; 1163 E. Salmon James W. Taylor, 37, ENG, ENG, ENG, mar 11 yrs, to US 1890, transfer, office, owns home w/mortgage Bertha, wife, 33, IL, IL, IL, mar 11 yrs, 5 children-5 living Alice, dau, 10, OR, ENG, IL, att. school Marion, dau, 9, OR, ENG, IL, att. school Lavella, dau, 7, OR, ENG, IL, att. school Hazel, dau, 5, OR, ENG, IL Dorothy, dau, 1, OR, ENG, IL 1920; January 7; Multnomah Co, OR; Portland Pct 179, p 22; 1163 E. Salmon st. James W. Taylor, 47, ENG, ENG, ENG, to US 1890, Na 1895, president, transfer co. Bertha, wife, 43, IL, IL, IL Alice, dau, 20, OR, ENG, IL, file clerk, electric railway Marion, dau, 18, OR, ENG, IL, assistant, dental office Lavelle, dau, 17, OR, ENG, IL, att. school Hazel, dau, 15, OR, ENG, IL, att. school Dorothy, dau, 10, OR, ENG, IL, att. school ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in August 2006 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.