Calvin S. Barlow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Calvin S. Barlow
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| Member of the Washington House of Representatives from the 35th district |
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| In office 1897–1899 |
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| Member of the Washington House of Representatives from the 37th district |
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| In office 1915–1917 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | May 13, 1856 Cowlitz County, Washington |
| Died | April 5, 1920 (aged 63) Tacoma, Washington |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Hertilla M. Burr (married 1881–1920) |
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| Alma mater | Portland Business college |
| Occupation |
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| Known for | Developed the butcher and merchandise businesses in Tacoma, Washington. Founded the Tacoma Trading Company (later C. S. Barlow & Sons). Was a member of the Tacoma City Council and a member of the Washington State Legislature during two separate terms. Participated in the political and social life of the city and in its industrial development. |
Calvin Sam Barlow (May 13, 1856 – April 5, 1920) was an important pioneer and politician in Tacoma, Washington. He was known as one of the most successful business owners in the city.
In 1877, he moved to Tacoma when it was still a small village. He opened the city's very first butcher shop. Later, he and his brother started the Tacoma Trading Company. This company sold many different building materials. It even made some of its own products. By 1903, their company was one of the biggest in Tacoma. It supplied most of the lime used for buildings in the city.
Calvin Barlow was also active in politics. He was a member of the Republican party. He served on the Tacoma City Council. He was also elected twice to the Washington State Legislature. He helped create the city's tax system. He was also a founder of the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce. This group helps local businesses.
People in Tacoma thought of Barlow as one of their best-known citizens. He was involved in many groups and projects. He helped start Tacoma's first military group. He also served on the board of Puget Sound University. He invested in real estate and other businesses. He was a leader in groups like the Washington State Historical Society.
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Early Life
Calvin Barlow was born on May 13, 1856. He grew up in Cowlitz County, Washington, near Kelso, Washington. His parents were George and Mary Ann Barlow.
Calvin's family came from England in the 1630s. His father worked on the Erie Canal as a boat captain. In 1830, his father became a pioneer in Michigan. Later, his parents traveled across the Great Plains to Oregon. They then moved to Cowlitz County, Washington.
Calvin was one of nine children. He helped his father on the family farm. His brother Byron was also a pioneer in Tacoma. Another brother, George W., was a famous steamboat captain. He worked on Puget Sound and the Columbia River.
Education and First Job
Calvin Barlow went to school in Forest Grove, Oregon. He studied for one year at Pacific University. This was one of Oregon's first universities. After that, he went to Portland Business College.
To pay for his education, Calvin worked for five years. He was a salmon fisherman on the Columbia River. He finished college in 1877. He was 21 years old when he moved to Tacoma, Washington.
Building a Business
Butcher Shop
In 1877, Calvin Barlow became a pioneer in Tacoma. It was a very small village back then. He and his brother Byron opened the city's first butcher shop. They ran this business successfully for three years. Then, they decided to start a bigger company.
Tacoma Trading Company
The Tacoma Trading Company started in 1882. Calvin Barlow was the company's secretary and treasurer. Later, he became its president. Over time, three of Calvin's brothers joined the business. The company's name changed to C. S. Barlow & Sons. Three of Calvin's own sons also joined the company.
By 1903, the Tacoma Trading Company was one of the biggest businesses in the city. It was known as the "oldest and largest house of its kind." The company sold many different building materials. These included pipes, coal, lime, plaster, cement, sand, and gravel. A historian named William Farrand Prosser said that by 1903, the company supplied about three-fourths of all the lime used in Tacoma's buildings. It was a very important company in the city.
In 1904, Barlow helped a brickyard on Fox Island, Washington by lending them money. He bought bricks from them. Two years later, he bought the brickyard himself. He paid $2,900 for it. The brickyard had been around since 1884. It had different owners and managers over the years. The land had good clay for making bricks. These bricks were used in towns and cities across Washington and Oregon.
The brickyard closed during a tough economic time in 1893. It opened again in 1897. Barlow invested $30,000 to build a brick dryer. This allowed them to make bricks all year, not just in summer. But concrete became more popular for building. So, in 1910 or 1911, Barlow closed the brick business.
Calvin Barlow remained president of the Tacoma Trading Company until he passed away in 1920. He was known as a very successful and important business owner in Tacoma.
Other Activities
Calvin Barlow helped develop many industries in Tacoma. In 1881, he helped start Tacoma's first military group. He invested a lot of money in real estate and mining. He also supported other businesses. In 1888, he built a house on Jefferson Avenue.
From 1888 to 1903, Barlow was on the Board of Trustees for Puget Sound University. He also worked as a curator for the Washington State Historical Society. A curator helps manage and care for museum collections. He was also a curator for the Ferry Museum.
Barlow was a member and president of the Pierce County Pioneers' Association. This group was for people who were among the first settlers in the area. His many activities made him one of the "best-known Tacoma citizens."
Political Life
Calvin Barlow strongly supported the Republican party. His ideas were important to the party leaders.
One of his first steps in city development was to help create a fair tax system. He worked on this in 1883 with a partner, Levi Shelton. In 1884, Barlow became a member of the Tacoma City Council. In 1897, he was a founding member and trustee of the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce. He also served on the Washington State Board of Visitation for prisons.
Barlow served two terms in the Washington State Legislature. He first became a member of the House of Representatives in 1897. He was one of the few Republicans to win that year. This was during a time when the Populist party was very strong. The Populist party was a political group that supported farmers and working people.
In 1915, Barlow was elected to the legislature for a second time. He was one of nine new lawmakers who were born in Washington State. This was seen as a strong sign for the state, which had been around for 25 years.
Groups and Organizations
Calvin Barlow was one of the first members of the Knights of Pythias lodge in Tacoma. He was also involved with the Odd Fellows and United Artisans. He was a member of the Pierce County Pioneers' Association. He was also a member of the Seattle Commercial Club.
Calvin and his wife were members of the First Methodist Episcopal Church. He was a church trustee. He also represented his church at a big meeting in Cleveland.
Personal Life
On April 28, 1881, Calvin Barlow married Hertilla M. Burr. Her parents were also pioneers in Washington. They were neighbors of the Barlow family in Cowlitz County, Washington.
Calvin and Hertilla had eight children:
- George C., born in 1882, later worked with his father at the Tacoma Trading Company.
- Harry L., born in 1885, died young in 1887.
- Byron T., born in 1888, also died young in 1889.
- Allan, born in 1890.
- Russell C., born in 1893.
- Douglas L., born in 1895.
- Hertilla, born in 1898.
- Mildred M., born in 1901.
Calvin Barlow passed away on April 5, 1920. He died at his home in Tacoma after a short illness.
