An Illustrated History of the State of Washington, by Rev. H.K. Hines, D.D., The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, IL., 1893, pages 391-392 CHARLES PROSCH, Seattle, Washington, was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, June 25, 1820. His parents, William and Christiana (Dotter) Prosch, were natives of Germany, but were reared and educated in the United States. In 1821 they removed to New York city, where Mr. Prosch engaged in street contracting, which he continued in that city and Brooklyn for many years, ultimately removing to Newark, New Jersey, where he and his wife both died, each at about the age of eighty-five years. Charles Prosch was educated in the public schools of New York city. In 1836 he became an apprentice in the Daily Express office, in Wall street, and there remained for a period of seventeen years. In 1853 he came West to San Francisco, under engagement on the Alta Californian, of which paper he subsequently became part proprietor. Having sold his interest therein, in the winter of 1857-ë58 he came to Washington Territory, and started the Puget Sound Herald in March, 1858, in Steilacoom. Fort Nisqually, near that town, being headquarters of the Hudson's Bay traders of the Northwest, was in frequent communication by water with Victoria and other British Columbia trading stations. By one of the sailing vessels thus employed, Mr. Prosch learned of the discovery of gold on Fraser river, and his paper was the medium for spreading broadcast along the Pacific coast the news which created one of the wildest mining excitements of the Northwest. Thousands flocked to Whatcom to seek ingress to the promised country by the mountain trail. Finding it inaccessible, they dispersed to Victoria and other points to make the journey by water. Though the diggings were rich, the people outnumbered the prospects. This rush of gold hunters, however, was instrumental in developing the Cariboo mines and the mines of Montana and Idaho. The town of Steilcoom and the Herald having declined to a condition that no longer afforded support, in 1868 Mr. Prosch removed to Olympia to perform the Territorial printing, under the auspices of E.L. Smith, Secretary of the Territory. To comply with the requirements, Mr. Prosch purchased the Pacific Tribune, which he thereafter continued to publish, and during the session of Legislature of 1869 he published the first daily ever printed in the Territory. Subsequently returning to the weekly edition, he continued it until 1872, which he turned it over to his son, Thomas W., who ran the paper there until 1873. Then, removing the plant to Tacoma, they published a weekly and daily till July, 1875, when they moved to Seattle and continued the publication until the plant and business were sold. Thomas W. then purchased an interest in the Intelligencer, subsequently became sole proprietor, and continued the publication until 1887, when he sold out and retired from business. After selling his paper in Olympia, Charles Prosch, who was one of the members of St. John's Protestant Episcopal Church, during the absence of the clergyman became lay reader and discharged the duties of that office for twelve months. Then, removing with his son to Tacoma, he was called upon to perform at St. Peter's Chapel the same service, which he continued about eighteen months, and, when leaving, was presented with a handsome watch and chain, the watch being appropriately inscribed as coming from a grateful people. Mr. Prosch also worked upon the Tribune, and in 1875 removed with his son to Seattle, continuing his connection with the Tribune and Intelligencer until his son finally sold out and retired. Since then, Mr. Prosch has been engaged in writing reminiscences of pioneer days and early interests connected with press matters. He was married in Dey street, New York city, January 16, 1846, to Miss Susan Conklin, a native of New York State. They have had five children, only two of whom are living: Frederick and Thomas W. 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.