Rosén, August,
manufacturer — Portland — born in Bjurvalla, Öster-Vĺla, Västmanland, September
5, 1867. Went through elementary school, learned the carpenter profession and
continued with that until the spring of 1889, when he went to America. Arrived
in Portland on May 1 and was offered a position as a turner with the Nicolai
Bros. Company. Since he could not speak the language he turned the job down.
Instead he worked briefly as a timber faller and then found a job on a factory
construction site in Oregon City. Rosén returned to Portland and on October 2
found a job with the Nicolai joinery shop. He stayed there until 1892 when he —
together with Waldemar Seton — opened a book and stationary store. In 1893 he
sold his share to Seton and continued as a carpenter with the company mentioned
above. He stayed there until 1900. Following that he worked for the Universal
Door Company until the fall of 1902, when he opened his own cabinet shop. The
only machines he had were a band saw and a lathe which he had built himself.
When he learned that he did not have enough equipment, he bought, together with
two Norwegians, what is today known as Enterprise Planing Mill Company located
at East Yamhill St. & Water St. A year later he bought the company with Mr.
Malarky. It is still owned by Malarky & Rosén. The business has grown quickly
and is today fully equipped with modern machines and employs a workforce of 30
men. Rosén is the president and manager of the company. He owns his own home on
the corner of Clackamas St. & Wheeler St. He is a member of Swedish Society
Linnea and Woodmen of the World. In 1895 he married Anna Nathalia Anderson,
daughter of the former district judge Johnson of Törnsäter. They have three
children.