Port Townsend Washington

Biography of Hon. Robert C. Hill

Hon. Robert C. Hill was born on September 14, 1829, in Hatboro, Pennsylvania. He moved to Philadelphia for education and began a career in wholesale dry goods before relocating to the Pacific. After establishing a lumber yard in San Francisco and engaging in mining, he settled on Whidby Island in 1853. Hill played significant roles in public service, including clerk of the U.S. district court and auditor of Island County. He later co-established the First National Bank in Port Townsend and prioritized public good in his political pursuits. Hill married Elizabeth Philipps and had three children.

Biography of Hon. Alphonso Fowler Learned

Hon. Alphonso Fowler Learned, born in 1838 in Boston, Massachusetts, embarked on a diverse career spanning maritime service, commerce, and politics. After early schooling and a stint as a cabin boy, he settled in San Francisco, engaging in mercantile and newspaper ventures. He served as consul to Nicaragua and held various civic roles, including on the city council. Married to Isabelle McCurdy, he raised a family of six children while also contributing to Masonic leadership in China and Port Townsend.

Biography of J. J. H. Van Bokkelen

J.J.H. Van Bokkelen’s life encompasses over fifty years of remarkable experiences. Descended from a notable Dutch lineage in New York, he witnessed many pivotal events, including the opening of the Erie Canal, and interacted closely with influential figures. His ventures included serving as a shipping clerk, prospecting for gold in California, and facing adversity during mining accidents. He also played a role in the Indian War, ultimately shifting to farming and public service. Now seventy-three, he actively contributes to community and church efforts without regret for his diverse life journey.

Biography of Col. Henry Landes

Col. Henry Landes, born in Germany in 1843 and emigrating to Kentucky in 1847, exhibited a spirit of adventurous ambition from a young age. He enlisted in a Federal regiment during the Civil War and later sought fortune in the Pacific Northwest. After unsuccessful mining attempts, he served as an Indian trader and became a prominent business leader in Port Townsend. Landes held multiple public positions, including city treasurer and member of the city council, and founded the First National Bank of Port Townsend, reflecting his significant contributions to the region’s development.

Biographical Sketch of Wilhelm Otto Roesch

Wilhelm Otto Roesch, born in Germany in 1855, immigrated to the United States in 1870 and gained extensive experience in the brewing industry across various locations. He worked in San Francisco, Steilacoom, and Portland before establishing his own brewery in Port Townsend. After operating a brewery in Heppner for a year, he returned to Germany, where he married Anna Rapps. Roesch eventually returned to Oregon and now manages a brewery in Pendleton, where he has three children: Freda, Wilhelm Lewis, and Herbert Otto.

Biography of Francis W. Pettygrove

Francis W. Pettygrove, born in Maine in 1812, emerged as a prominent pioneer in the Pacific Northwest. Arriving in Oregon in 1842 as a merchant, he successfully opened a store and engaged in the fur trade. Pettygrove played a crucial role in naming Portland, securing his legacy in the region’s development. A member of the Pioneer Lyceum and Literary Club, he contributed to the establishment of the Provisional government. He later moved to Port Townsend, where he lived until his death in 1887, leaving behind a significant impact on the community.

Biographical Sketch of Alfred A. Plummer, Jr.

Alfred A. Plummer, Jr., born on September 7, 1856, in Port Townsend, is the son of a local pioneer. After receiving an education and entering the mercantile business, he returned to Port Townsend to co-found the Port Townsend Foundry and Machine Company. He has been active in public service as a county commissioner and city council member. In 1881, he married Katie Hill, with whom he had five children, three of whom survive him. Tragically, Mrs. Plummer passed away in 1889 at the age of 29.

Biography of William H. Whittlesey

William H. Whittlesey, born in Virginia in 1858, is a prominent figure in Port Townsend, Washington. A Princeton graduate and former clerk in the War Department, he initially practiced law in Colorado before moving to the West Coast. His career includes roles as a customs service deputy collector, railroad agent, and elected probate judge. Currently focused on real estate, he remains optimistic about Port Townsend’s future. A dedicated community member, he also serves in various public capacities while enjoying family life with his wife and two sons.

Biography of James Seavy

James Seavy, born on January 11, 1825, in Thomaston, Maine, made significant contributions to Washington’s early development. After moving to the Pacific coast in 1854, he settled in Port Ludlow, working as a bookkeeper and taking on various public roles, including county commissioner and representative for Jefferson County. In Port Townsend, he engaged in mercantile business and served as postmaster from 1862 to 1879. Seavy also held the position of clerk of the district court until 1887 and acted as county auditor, reflecting a longstanding commitment to public service and Republican values.

Biography of Hon. James G. Swan

Hon. James G. Swan, born on January 11, 1818, in Medford, Massachusetts, arrived in San Francisco in 1850 and settled in Port Townsend in 1858. He served as a teacher at the Makah Indian Agency and played a crucial role in maintaining peace among local tribes. Swan was a government commissioner in Alaska, significantly contributing to the National Museum’s collection of Native American artifacts. He later served as Jefferson County’s probate judge and was an active figure in Washington’s pioneer community, participating in the state’s inauguration in 1889.

Biography of Capt. Henry L. Tibbals, Sr.

Captain Henry L. Tibbals, Sr., born on December 18, 1829, in Middleton, Connecticut, dedicated nearly fifty years to maritime endeavors before making significant contributions to Port Townsend, Washington. After a distinguished sailing career, he transitioned to hospitality, establishing the Pioneer Hotel, and later invested in various businesses, including the Union Wharf. A prominent political figure, he served in multiple capacities, including county sheriff and legislator. Tibbals is also a notable member of the Masonic order and remains involved in community projects, including building a racecourse near his wharf.

Biography of John M. Thomas

John M. Thomas, born July 8, 1829, in Kentucky, moved to Indianapolis as a child. He ventured west to Oregon in 1852, becoming the first white settler in the White River area. After facing challenges, including displacement by Native Americans, he served in the Indian War and later worked in various roles, including running a mill. Thomas settled at Thomas Station in 1877, where he farmed and raised hops. He was also a county commissioner and married Nancy Russel, fathering nine children.

Biography of Hon. Allen Weir

Hon. Allen Weir, born April 24, 1854, in California, played a pivotal role in shaping public opinion and founding institutions in Washington Territory. His family settled in Clallam County in 1860, where he grew up amid pioneer challenges. With a strong work ethic, Weir advanced from farming to journalism, eventually owning the influential Puget Sound Argus. Active in politics, he served in various official capacities, including the territorial legislature and constitutional convention, while maintaining a commitment to temperance and community growth. He married Ellen Davis in 1877, with whom he had three children.