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and held the position for ten consecutive years. With the increased settlement of the town and demand for residence property, Mercer platted the town of Eden and later that of West
Seattle, from the sales of which he has realized a considerable fortune. In 1994 what was left of Thomas's estate was
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Part of his claim, being bottom land, was soon cleared, and the second year he raised in hay, oats and vegetables, sufficient to provide for his family and stock. Mercer was a hard worker and was progressive in his ideas, and soon became the leading farmer of the community. For seven years he was
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He brought to the primitive town the same team of horses which had transported him safely across the plains, and his was the first wagon brought to the town. His claim being situated back from the water, the young men turned out and assisted in cutting a trail wide enough for his wagon to pass
300:. The eldest of fourteen, Thomas's education was chiefly in the school of necessity. As labor was the chief occupation of the pioneer, and in the noble army of workers Judge Mercer has been arrayed throughout his life, he was a bright, active boy, quick in mathematics and mechanical work.
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and then driving to
Olympia, the trail being almost impassable. From Olympia he drove to Steilacoom, and there by boat to Seattle, arriving here August 25, 1853. He took up a claim of 160 acres (0.65 km), adjoining that of D.T. Denny, all of which is now within the city limits.
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through to his ranch, and for a number of years he did the teaming for the town. In 1854 he built a box house, securing lumber from Yesler's mill. This house was somewhat open to the light of day, but it afforded protection and was soon improved.
288:, respectively. Aaron Mercer moved to Ohio in boyhood, being among the pioneers of that country. He learned the process of manufacturing woolen cloths and blankets and then operated his own factory very successfully for a number of years.
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His boyhood was passed in the factory of his father, and with his systematic methods and recognized ability he became foreman at the age of fourteen and operated the factory up to 1834, when the family removed to
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and engaged in farming. In 1830 young Mercer started a store in a little, old log cabin in
Princeton, pursuing this enterprise for a year, before abandoning it because of the close confinement it entailed.
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shop and worked from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Flour was $ 40 per barrel and all other provisions in proportion. In the summer of 1853 he removed his little ones to
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on March 11, 1813, and was the eldest son of Aaron and Jane (Dickerson) Mercer, themselves born in
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of the new county, he soon relinquished the job, which paid only 25 cents a day, to someone else.
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Mercer gave
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in 1854, Mercer was appointed one of the first commissioners, and in 1858 he was elected
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mother, father and protector to his family of little ones, all of whom grew to maturity.
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Mercer was married in
Princeton in 1838 to Nancy Brigham, who was from
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via ship canals, eventually realized decades later in the form of the
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In 1859, Mercer was married, in Salem, Oregon, to
Loretta H. Ward, of
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He then returned to farming. In 1837 he took part in the division of
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in recognition of the occasion. Mercer renamed the smaller lake,
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1893. A portrait of Mercer appears between pages 588 and 589.
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American pioneer, 19th
Century Seattle historical figure
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University of
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University of
Washington Libraries Special Collections
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University of
Washington Libraries Special Collections
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Native Seattle: Histories from the Crossing-Over Place
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picnic in 1854, he suggested that the greater lake,
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19:For the British trade unionist and journalist, see
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591:An Illustrated History of the State of Washington
453:Mercer died May 25, 1898. He had four daughters.
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360:, where Mercer purchased one-half interest in a
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566:. 1821-2005. .58 cubic feet (1 box). At the
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564:Bagley, Jenner, and Mercer families papers
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118:Learn how and when to remove this message
340:. On this trip, Mrs. Mercer fell ill in
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169:January 1, 1854 – July 1, 1858
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56:adding citations to reliable sources
356:The following winter was passed in
477:, University of Washington Press,
298:Princeton, Bureau County, Illinois
263:in Lake Washington bear his name.
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634:People from Hamilton County, Ohio
644:People from Washington Territory
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43:needs additional citations for
556:. 1862-1887. 26 items. At the
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259:. Seattle's Mercer Street and
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639:People from Oregon Territory
532:"Lake Washington Ship Canal"
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146:Thomas Mercer c. 1890
21:Thomas William Mercer
599:Lewis Publishing Co.
554:Thomas Mercer papers
433:("little lake"), to
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52:improve this article
276:Mercer was born in
484:978-0-295-98812-2
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45:verification
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624:1898 deaths
619:1813 births
537:HistoryLink
507:HistoryLink
439:Puget Sound
407:Lushootseed
390:King County
366:Puget Sound
175:Preceded by
613:Categories
593:, by Rev.
457:References
435:Lake Union
362:blacksmith
342:The Dalles
272:Early life
239:Washington
211:1813-03-11
78:newspapers
267:Biography
165:In office
548:Archives
513:July 27,
430:x̌ax̌čuʔ
386:Kentucky
324:Marriage
306:Illinois
292:Illinois
282:Virginia
338:Seattle
257:Seattle
235:Seattle
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423:after
416:x̌ačuʔ
334:Oregon
251:Judge
241:, U.S.
220:, U.S.
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358:Salem
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