An Illustrated History of the State of Washington, by Rev. H.K. Hines, D.D., The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, IL., 1893, pages 364-365 FRANK W. PAINE, one of Washington's pioneers and self-made men, was born in Somerset county, Maine, August 31, 1839, a son of William and Elizabeth W. (Pike) Paine, the former a native of Worcester, Massachusetts, and the latter of New Hampshire. The father, a farmer by occupation, died in 1884, and his wife departed this life in 1872. They were the parents of six children, of whom our subject was the fifth child. His youngest brother is engaged with him in business. Frank W. Paine was early inured to farm labor, and at the age of twenty-one years he began life on his own account. Being a young man of high ambition, and not wanting to settle down in an old country, he removed to California in 1861, where he was employed as a clerk in a mercantile store one year. In 1862 he took up his residence in Walla Walla, Washington, worked for a time in a sawmill in the mountains, clerked in Dr. Baker's mercantile store one year, spent two years in mining in Idaho, resumed his old position in Baker & Boyer's store, and then took a stock of goods to Montana. After returning to this city, and in partnership with Governor Moore and his brother, Mr. Paine purchased the store of Baker & Boyer; later the brothers bought the interest of Mr. Moore, and the business was then conducted under the name of Paine Bros. They afterward sold their general merchandise, and embarked in the implement trade, which business, after some years, they sold to Knapp, Bunal & Co., of Portland, Oregon, and the brothers are now engaged in the real-estate business in this city. The Paine Bros. erected one of the largest blocks in Walla Walla, known as the Paine Block, and they also own several other good buildings, besides vacant property. Large tracts of agricultural land throughout the State belong to this firm. Although our subject started out in life as a working boy, he is now a rich man, and has the prospect of living to a good old age to enjoy his hard-earned gains. He has been a member of the City Council for a number of years, served one term as Mayor of his city, and as School Director about twelve years. He was chairman of the school board which erected the large and beautiful school building of this city, which was named the Paine school, in his honor. Mr. Paine has been president of the Board of Trade of Walla Walla for a number of years. In 1887 he organized the State Prison at Walla Walla, moved the prisoners from Seatco, which is now called Bucoda, to this city, was appointed its Commissioner, and, after the election of Governor Ferry, was made president of the Board of Directors, which instituted and built the jute manufactory for the prison. Under his administration the prison was a model of its kind and the manufacturing of jute bags was made a financial success. April 3, 1876, our subject was united in marriage to Miss Ida B. Issley, a native of Maine. Mr. Paine met and married his wife in Washington, District of Columbia. They have four daughters: Bessie, Josephine, Mary and Frances. Mr. Paine is an ardent supporter of the Republican party, and his first presidential vote was cast for Abraham Lincoln. 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.