An Illustrated History of the State of Washington, by Rev. H.K. Hines, D.D., The
Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, IL., 1893, pages 323-324
	
	
	CHARLES E. HALE, president and general manager of the Tacoma Grocery
Company, has taken a part in building up the commercial interests of Tacoma that
cannot be ignored in the history of the State in which that city is such an
important center. There is no single institution in the city which has done more
to give Tacoma prestige in the territory and in the channels of commerce from
which it derives its support, than this important company. Mr. Hale has been the
chief factor in placing the concern in the position it now occupies, yet this is
but one of the many avenues through which he has aided in building up the city.
For these reasons, a mention of his career and origin becomes interesting and
valuable in connection with the chronicle of the later development of this
region.
	Charles E. Hale was born in Spencer, Massachusetts, July 14, 1848, and was
reared to manhood there, receiving his education in the common and high schools
of the town. At the age of sixteen years, he began a life of usefulness as an
apprentice to the jeweler's trade, at which his time was occupied for four
years, the last year as a finished workman. He then went West, and in the city
of Lafayette, Indiana, entered the employ of O.W. Pierce & Company, wholesale
grocers. Nine years with that house gave him a knowledge of that line of
business, embracing a complete mastery of all the details of its handling, and
with this essential experience and the means he had accumulated, during its
acquirements, Mr. Hale embarked in the wholesale grocery business at Lafayette
on his own account. Three years of constant application in the building up of
his business, left him with health broken, and to regain his wonted strength and
energy, he decided upon closing out his interests there, and going south for a
period of recuperation. This object having been accomplished, he selected
Peoria, Illinois, as a location for his re-entry into business, and for seven
years he was one of the prominent wholesale grocers of that important jobbing
point. In January, 1887, Mr. Hale came to Tacoma to cast his lot with that
promising young city, and opened a wholesale grocery establishment, which was
merged into the Tacoma Grocery Company, incorporated in August, 1888, of which
he was then chosen President, in which capacity he has since ably served its
interests. Of this concern it is unnecessary to speak at length; it is one of
the bulwarks of the city.
	No enterprise is undertaken in Tacoma without soliciting the assistance of
Mr. Hale; to all that promise substantial benefits to its interests, his
encouragement is freely given. In many undertakings he has taken the initiative.
He is a charter member of Tacoma's Union Club, and is an important unit in the
composition of the Chamber of Commerce and the Commercial Club, with both of
which organizations be has worked bravely and untiringly for Tacoma. These
remarks are but the just and unvarnished tribute of history, briefly stated.
	Mr. Hale was married in Lafayette, Indiana, to Miss Fanny Taylor; her
father, William Taylor, figures in the history of Cincinnati as the first white
child born upon the site of that city.
	
	
Submitted to the WA. Bios Project in September 2003 by Jeffrey L. Elmer
	
	
	
	
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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.