An Illustrated History of the State of Washington, by Rev. H.K. Hines, D.D., The
Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, IL., 1893, pages 377-378
	
	COLONEL ALBERT WHYTE, for ten years prominently identified with the
interests of Steilacoom, Washington, was born in Glasgow, Scotland, February 16,
1847. He comes of an old and respected Scottish family, many members of which
have figured conspicuously in British and Scottish history. His father, John
Whyte, was born in Scotland in 1820, and is a renowned Presbyterian minister as
well as a man of literary fame. While residing in Canada, his father acted as
pastor of a church in Brockville, Ontario, but is now retired in Glasgow,
Scotland. The mother of Colonel White, whose name before marriage was Johanna
Finley, was born in Paisley, Scotland, and came with her husband and family to
Canada, where she died at the age of forty-nine, beloved and respected by all
who knew her. Thomas Whyte, an uncle of the subject of this sketch, was a staff
officer in the British army and was killed at Acre.
	Colonel Whyte, of this notice, was but three years and a half old when his
parents crossed the ocean to Canada. Here he attended the common and graded
schools until he was sixteen years of age. By this time the United States was in
the midst of its great civil conflict, and being naturally of a military
inclination, which was heightened by the enthusiasm of youth, he determined to
visit the scenes of the struggles and be a spectator if not a participant.
Accordingly, in 1864, he visited some of the States where war was raging. He was
initiated into the unpleasant features of war by being taken prisoner near
Cumberland, Maryland, on suspicion of being a British spy, but being able to
prove his innocence he was soon released. He then proceeded southward to
Louisville, Kentucky, Nashville, Tennessee, and Savanah, Georgia. Having thus
seen the American on his native heaths and satisfying his curiosity as to modern
warfare, he became more than ever desirous of becoming an American citizen. He
was in this country until 1874, when he returned to Montreal, Canada, and was
there made Lieutenant in the Scots Fusileers, resigning from the regiment as
captain in 1876, thus realizing his ambition to identify himself with the
military service. Not forgetting, however, his desire to add to his other
experiences that of American citizenship, he came, in 1877, to Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, where he took out naturalization papers and at once became
identified with American interests. He entered the State University at the City
of Brotherly Love, taking the law course and attending a full series of lectures
on that great science, thus eminently fitting himself for his future positions
of trust and responsibility. He stumped the State of Pennsylvania, with
ex-Attorney-General Lear, for the independent Republicans, in the memorable
campaign of 1880.
	It was through the instrumentality of his preceptor in college, who was an
attorney and the leading spirit of a Virginia railroad company, together with
C.B. Wright, that gentleman's friend, that Mr. Whyte was sent, in 1883, to
Washington Territory to ascertain its resources, etc., and instructed to go from
there to Scotland to make known in the latter country the facts secured and
obtain Scottish emigration and capital to build up this western Territory.
	Becoming independently interested himself, in April, 1883, the subject of
this sketch homesteaded 160 acres of land situated about four miles north of
Steilacoom, and by the expenditure of large capital and much energy, has
succeeded in making for himself a beautiful home, having about twenty-five acres
in choice fruits, chiefly the Italian prune, for which Washington State is
specially adapted, his own system of water works, and hot and cold spring water
in his house; also fountains on the lawns, besides numerous other comforts and
conveniences rendered possible by the genius and inventions of modern times.
Although essentially domestic in his tastes and interests, he is nevertheless
active in the promotion of the public welfare, giving much of his time and
thought to the good of the people, and has, by his energy and industry,
intelligently applied, added not only to his own prosperity but has also
advanced the condition of his community and the State at large.
	Colonel Whyte spent the winter and spring of 1890 in the agricultural
districts of Scotland, organizing emigratory societies, in conjunction with
capital to aid them, and is now preparing to devote himself to the settling of
his adopted State with the sturdy agriculturists of his native land. After his
return from Scotland he accepted an invitation to address the Tacoma Scots on
the subject of  The Homes and Haunts of Robert Burns, the occasion being the
annual celebration of the birthday anniversary of the famous and much loved
bard. Of Mr. Whyte's address, which was published in full, the Tacoma Ledger of
January 30, 1891, remarks that it was a masterly effort, and was listened to
with marked attention.
	He organized the Tacoma State Guard, of which he was captain for two years,
when he was promoted as Major on the adjutant-general's staff. He now holds the
office of Assistant Commissary-General of the State, with the rank of
Lieutenant-Colonel, in the last biennial report of the Adjutant-General for the
State of Washington, in referring to the State encampment, the subject of this
sketch is spoken of as follows: Lieutenant-Colonel Albert Whyte, Assistant
Commissary-General, in the management of his department was untiring, attentive
and constant in striving to please all. Realizing the importance of this
department in camp, he was ever on the alert to supply every necessary article
of food and to keep a sufficient amount on hand. He is very popular and an
efficient officer, a thorough gentleman and a prominent lawyer.
	The Colonel was married to Frances M. Misner, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio,
who was born June 18, 1865, and who accompanied her parents to the Pacific
coast. The parents, J.B. and Frances (McCauley) Misner, are of Scotch descent
and are now residing in Steilacoom, where Mrs. Whyte's father is a general
contractor, a man of ability and uprightness, and greatly esteemed by all who
knew him.
	Fraternally Colonel Whyte is a Mason, having joined the Royal Albert Lodge
in Montreal. As is usual with him, with regard to everything with which he is
identified, he takes a deed interest in Steilacoom and the State of Washington,
his favorite and adopted home, having not only cast his fortune with them but
devoted to their welfare the best energy of his mind and soul.
	
Submitted to the WA. Bios Project in September 2003 by Jeffrey L. Elmer
	
	
* * * * 

Notice: These biographies were transcribed for the Washington Biographies
Project.  Unless otherwise stated, no further information is available on the
individual featured in the biographies.