Page 280 - PGM Compendium

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Of
M⸫W⸫ Wm. A. Fairweather

1889-1890

Most Worshipful Brother William Allen Fairweather was born
in Bloomfield New Brunswick, Canada on May 2, 1853, son of
Peter and Elizabeth Fairweather. Our brother spent the first
sixteen years of his life in his parents' home, and then left New
Brunswick, going to Nashua, New Hampshire, in order to finish
his education. On putting aside his textbooks he became
connected with the Underhill Edge Tool Company of Nashua,
and was thus employed for a number of years. In 1873, however,
he left the old Granite state and came to the Pacific coast by way
of the Isthmus of Panama. Eventually he arrived at San
Francisco and there he took passage on the old steamer John L.
Stevens bound for Portland.

On reaching his destination he entered the employ of the Northern Pacific Railroad Company,
which had just completed its line from Portland north to Tacoma. For a time he was located at
Kalama, but in 1875 he came to Tacoma. becoming one of the first settlers here. The future city
was yet in its infancy and gave little promise of speedy development or rapid growth. Where are
now seen fine business blocks stood forest trees, and the most far-sighted could scarcely have
dreamed of the marvelous changes which were soon to occur. He remained at Tacoma for about
four years, and in 1879 crossed the Cascade mountains and established the first store in the new
town of Ainsworth on the Snake river.

Subsequently he engaged in general merchandising at Sprague, and, thus connected with different
business enterprises, his absence from Tacoma covered ten years. In 1886 he served as Mayor of
Sprague and was elected to other local offices in that place.

When the present site of the City of Tacoma was largely covered with forest trees that stood in
their primeval strength, he became an active factor in business and political circles, and through
the intervening years he watched with interest the progress and development here, and contributed
in no small degree to the growth and improvement of this section of the state. He was elected on
the Republican ticket to the office of Clerk of Pierce County for a term of two years. In May 1899,
he was appointed deputy collector of customs for the Puget Sound district in charge of the Port of
Tacoma, a position he held until August 1930.

In 1881 he was married to Miss Annie Myers. The wedding taking place in Oregon City, Oregon.
The lady was the daughter of the Hon. John Myers, who was a member of the Oregon legislature
for twelve years and served as United States marshal under President Cleveland's administration.
The Fairweather home was been blessed with four children: Eva, Allen, John, and Frances.