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

J.M. FRINK, President of the Washington Iron Works Company at Seattle, was born
in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, January 21, 1845. His parents, Prentice and
Deidamnia  (Willard) Frink, were natives of the State of New York, but married
in Luzerne county, where Mr. Frink located as pastor of the Baptist Church. In
1859 he removed to Brown county, Kansas, where he engaged in farming and there
died in 1861, leaving his wife with eight little ones to support. Our subject
being the firstborn son, took upon himself the responsibility of the family and
the care of the farm, and right manfully did he perform his duty until the
children were reared to ages of self-support. In 1870, Mr. Frink left the old
home, was married in Topeka, Kansas, to Miss Hannah Phillips and then located in
southern Kansas, where he followed farming up to 1874, then removing to
California, whence he journeyed north to Seattle in the fall of the same year.
Immediate labor being necessary he accepted the first position offered, which
was on street work, but shortly after he was employed as teacher in the city
schools which line of occupation he then followed for four years in Seattle, and
at Port Gamble. In 1880 he formed the copartnership of Tenny & Frink and engaged
in the foundry business on the corner of Second and Jackson streets. In 1881
they added a machine shop and in 1882 incorporated as the Washington Iron Works
Company, Mr. Frink being duly elected president and manager. Their business
extended all through the Sound country, and grew to such proportions that 160
hands were employed in the several departments, in general foundry, mill and
machine work. Remaining in the same location up to the great fire of June, 1889,
the entire plant was destroyed with a loss of $85,000, in patterns and
equipments. The process of re-establishment was at once commenced and their
works were rebuilt on Norman street between Eighth and Tenth, where the foundry,
boiler, blacksmith and machine shops cover an area of two blocks, with
facilities for a very extended business. In 1880 Mr. Frink established the first
electric-light plant in the city, and was the first on the coast to use the
Edison system. This was known as the Seattle Electric Light, which was
consolidated with other companies in 1892, and formed the Union Electric Light
Company, of which Mr. Frink continues as vice-president. He is also a director
of the Seattle Savings Bank and owns valuable business and residence property in
the city. Mr. Frink lost his first wife in 1875, and she left two children,
Egbert F. and Gerald. He was again married in 1877, to Miss Abbie Hawkins of
Illinois. They have three children: Frances G., Helena and Ethena. In politics
Mr. Frink is a Republican, and has been frequently called upon to serve upon the
School Board and City Council, and in 1890 was elected to the State Senate for a
period of four years. Mr. Frink is recognized in the community as one of her
ablest business men, his principles being established upon honesty, integrity
and justice to all men.

Submitted to the WA. Bios Project in January 2004 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.