An Illustrated History of the State of Washington, by Rev. H.K. Hines, D.D., 
The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, IL., 1893, page 428

	AMADEUS R. PINKINEY, city electrician of Seattle, was born in North
Royalton, Ohio, August 8, 1862, a son of Robert R. Pinkney, a native of
Yorkshire, England. The latter emigrated to the United States in 1812, settling
in Bridgeport, Connecticut, where he conducted a tannery for several years. He
was married in Bridgeport, to Miss Rose Murray, a native of that city and of
Irish descent. In 1842 they removed to Cuyahoga county, Ohio, locating on a farm
purchased by his father in 1825.
	A.R. Pinkney was primarily educated in the public schools of La Grange,
later attended the Catholic parochial school of Grafton, and in 1877 entered
Oberlin College, graduating at the latter institution in 1881. Having given
careful attention to the study of chemistry and electricity, he decided upon the
latter branch as a profession; and to perfect himself in its uses as applied to
arc and incandescent lighting, he applied to the Thompson-Houston Company, and
was allowed to enter their manufactory at Lynn, Massachusetts. At personal
expense, and without salary, Mr. Pinkney remained in the factory eighteen
months, and became proficient in every department. He was then employed by the
company in installing electric plants in cities throughout the East, and also in
South America until 1884, when the Cleveland Electric Light Company was
organized, and Mr. Pinkney was employed as their electrician. In June, 18.86, he
came to Seattle, as electrician for the Seattle Electric Light Company. He
remained with that company through the succeeding changes and consolidations
until April, 1892, and was then appointed City Electrician by the Fire
Commissioners, entering upon the duties of the office May 1. The office embraces
the fire, police and water electric departments, utilizing fifty-seven and a
half miles of wire, with numerous signal boxes, improved machinery for fire and
police service connected with headquarters, and electric indicators at the
reservoir connected with the office of water department, all furnished with the
most modern attachments, and under the constant supervision of the skillful
electrician.
	Mr. Pinkney was married November 5, 1890, to Miss Ella Murphy, a native of
Cleveland, Ohio. They have one child, Amadeus R. Socially, our subject
affiliates with the Young Men's Institute; A.O.U.W., and A.O. of F., and is
treasurer of the Seattle Yacht Club. In the latter organization he derives much
pleasure, owning an interest in a yacht, and is an enthusiast in that manly
sport.

Submitted to the WA. Bios Project in October 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.