An Illustrated History of the State of Washington, by Rev. H.K. Hines, D.D., 
The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, IL., 1893, page 436

	EDMUND L. CANBY, cashier of the First National Bank of Vancouver, and one of
the city's most progressive citizens, was born in Wilmington, Delaware, May 8,
1848, a son of Edmund and Mary (Price) Canby, natives of Delaware and Maryland,
respectively. The father died in 1848, and the mother survived until 1886. They
were descended from Quaker ancestors, who were among the early Colonial settlers
of New England.
	Edmund L. Canby, the youngest in a family of ten children, completed his
education in his native State in 1864, after which he was employed as clerk in a
lumbering business several years. He was next employed in a flour mill, and in
1877 became assistant to his brother, Major James P. Canby, Paymaster in the
United States Army, after which he made his home at Portland, Oregon, until
July, 1883. Mr. Canby was then elected cashier of the First National Bank of
Vancouver, which was incorporated in July, 1873, with a capital stock of
$50,000, and the following officers: Louis Sohus, president; David Wall,
vice-president; and E.L. Canby, cashier. At the close of 1892 the statement of
the bank's condition shows a capital of $100,000 and $20,000 surplus, with the
same others except the president. After many years of able management Hon. Louis
Sohus retired, and Charles Brown was elected to the presidency. The present
Board of Directors are: Charles Brown, David Wall, L.M. Hidden, S.P. Jocelyn and
E.L. Canby. Mr. Canby has been closely identified with the best interests of
Vancouver and Clarke county since his advent into its business circles, and many
of the important enterprises have had his support from a financial standpoint,
and have also been brought upon a self-sustaining basis through his energy and
progressive views. Among these may be particularly mentioned the Vancouver,
Klickitat & Yakima Railroad, of which he was one of the incorporators, being in
fact the chief promoter of that important enterprise. It was in a large measure
through his efforts that the first five miles of grading was done and the ties
laid ready for the rails. At about that time, however, the enterprise, or
controlling interest, passed into other hands, and the line has since been
completed and equipped to the distance of twelve miles. Mr. Canby was one of the
promoters and is now treasurer of the Vancouver Driving Park Association; owns
real estate in this City, and has a beautiful residence on the corner of Main
and Twelfth streets.
	June 23, 1884, he was united in marriage to Miss Frances Burnside, a native
of Oregon, and the eldest daughter of D.W. Burnside, an old and respected Oregon
pioneer. He came to the Pacific coast, via the Panama route, in 1850, and his
death occurred in 1887. Mr. and Mrs. Canby have four children: Edmund B., born
December 11, 1884; Margaret L., February 14, 1886; Jocelyn D., June 20, 1890;
and Mary, August 7, 1891. Mr. Canby is a member of no orders or clubs, and after
business hours he finds his chief pleasure at home, surrounded by his family.

Submitted to the WA. Bios Project in October 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.