An Illustrated History of the State of Washington, by Rev. H.K. Hines, D.D., The
Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, IL., 1893, pages 288-289
	
	DAVID B. FOTHERINGHAM, one of the leading citizens of Spokane, was born in
Ohio, in October, 1856, a son of William and Isabella (Boyd) Fotheringham. The
father was a native of Scotland, and a merchant by occupation. David B., the
third in a family of four children, was educated in the common and high schools
of Pennsylvania, and completed his education at the age of seventeen years. He
was then engaged in contracting and building in Erie, Pennsylvania, until 1877,
followed the same occupation in Denver, Colorado, until 1883, and in that year
began work at his trade in Spokane, Washington, which he still continues.
	Mr. Fotheringham was elected City Alderman in 1888, the Mayor of Spokane in
1881. He filled the latter office with ability until 1892, when he voluntarily
retired from politics. The following is an extract from a local publication and
is apropos in this connection: It is a somewhat noticeable feature in connection
with the municipal government of this city that the reins are held by men who
are still young in years. Under the new charter adopted in the spring of 1891
the citizens, with wise foresight, elevated to office men who had no antiquated
ideas to unlearn, but who were both wide-awake and capable, and at the same time
personally interested by virtue of their various business connections in the
progress of welfare of the city. The present Mayor of Spokane, David B.
Fotheringham, is eminently qualified to occupy the highest office within the
gift of the people. His capable direction of municipal affairs his clearly
proven his executive ability, and it is evident to all that he is the right man
in, the right place. As a citizen, Mr. Fotheringham has shown during his many
years of residence here that he did not make any error in his judgment of what
the future Spokane would be when he selected this city as his permanent home.
Coming here when it was but a village, he has shared with others in the labor of
making the place what it appears to-day,-- the leading commercial center in this
great inland empire.
	By dint of energy, strict attention to business, coupled with an experience
born of practical application, he has prospered with the growth of Spokane,
meeting with marked financial success in his business life, and wearing now with
becoming dignity the highest municipal honors which his fellow-citizens have to
confer upon him.
	During his thirty-five years Mr. Fotheringham has seen considerable more of
the world than falls to the lot of many men of even mature age, and his training
has been of the most practical nature. As an executive officer he is
Conservative in his ideas, though truly progressive in character, every movement
which he believes, after thorough investigation, to be for the public good,
meeting with his hearty approval and cordial support. That he is ever watchful
of the city's best interests has been evinced by the manly and determined stand
which he has taken upon occasions when he deemed it necessary to exercise his
official prerogative, and the citizens of Spokane could not have selected a more
careful or conscientious guardian of their rights and privileges.
	As a public official Mr. Fotheringham is always affable, gentlemanly, and
approachable. His long residence here has made him hosts of friends, every one
of whom wishes for him even greater advancement and higher honors than those
which he has already achieved. While ever a busy man, Mr. Fotheringham does not
permit the duties and cares of municipal life to monopolize his undivided
attention, but within the charmed circle of home and the social life of the
city, he finds that relaxation and enjoyment which comes from such refined
sources.
	He was married in 1882, to Miss Mary Jennings, a native of Raton, New
Mexico. They have three children: William Henry, age nine years; David Dalton,
five years; and Benjamin Harrison, three years. Mr. Fotheringham has a beautiful
residence on the corner of Hemlock and Second avenue. Socially, he is a member
of the Knights of Pythias.
	
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
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individual featured in the biographies.