An Illustrated History of the State of Washington, by Rev. H.K. Hines, D.D., The
Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, IL., 1893

FRANK H. OSGOOD, one of the most successful and enterprising citizens of
Seattle, was born in Charlestown, New Hampshire. After completing his education
he engaged in business in Boston, Massachusetts, where he remained until 1882.
In that year he made the tour of the Pacific coast, with a view to investments
and business opportunities. Traveling through California, Oregon and Washington,
he duly arrived at Seattle, which was the first city he found to fulfill his
expectations. After making some investments, and having investigated
enterprises, railroads, etc., Mr. Osgood returned to the East, closed up his
affairs and again visited Seattle. The first street railroad was then under
discussion, and after franchises were secured Mr. Osgood became interested, and
aided in the incorporation of the Seattle Street Railway. He was elected its
president and manager, and proceeded to build the road, which was operated with
horses about five years, it being the first Street Railway constructed in
Washington Territory. During this time he became convinced that electricity was
to be the coming powers although no roads were then in successful operation. In
1887 Mr. Osgood again visited the East, reviewing such short lines of road as
were then in operation, and while conferring with a company of railroad men in
Boston he announced his convictions regarding the utility of electric power, but
found no supporters. Regardless of opposition, Mr. Osgood returned to Seattle,
where he met still further opposition by his own associates. Still he went
carefully and systematically to work to convert the horse railroad to the
electric system. Commencing in 1888, he completed the system the same year, it
then being the first electric railway west of Omaha and one of the earliest
successful ones in the United States, and after demonstrating the successful
application he then received the most cordial support from his friends in
Seattle, and was also complimented upon his foresight by the railroad men of
Boston. Since perfecting his own system Mr. Osgood has engaged quite extensively
in building electric roads throughout the Northwest, and has done more or less
work in every city where the electric system is now in use. In 1890 he built an
electric plant in Victoria, British Columbia, for illuminating purposes, and is
now lighting the larger part of the city. He was one of the original promoters
and stockholders of the Seattle, Lake Shore & Eastern Railroad, and served as
its treasurer until the road was sold; was one of the organizers of the
Washington Improvement Company; was instrumental in building the first canal
between Lakes Union and Washington; and has also rendered substantial aid in
minor enterprises, always having stood with the foremost in giving of his
substance in the upbuilding of the city. Mr. Osgood married Miss Georgina B.
Arquit, a native of Brooklyn, New York. Mr. Osgood is a gentleman of modest
demeanor, but of great persistency of purpose, and to his foresight, sound
judgment and enterprise is due the vast electric-railroad development of the
Northwest.

Submitted to the WA. Bios Project in January 2004 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.