An Illustrated History of the State of Washington, by Rev. H.K. Hines, D.D., The
Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, IL., 1893, pages 321-322
	
	
	FRANK A. BARTLETT, proprietor of the mercantile house of C.C. Bartlett &
Co., and one of the most popular business men of Port Townsend, Washington, was
born in Worcester, Massachusetts, April 23, 1859. He is the only child of
Charles Carroll and Mary (Kane) Bartlett, of English-Irish ancestry. The
progenitors of the Bartlett family emigrated from England to New England about
1634, and a descendant, Josiah Bartlett, was one of the signers of the
Declaration of Independence.
	Charles Carroll Bartlett, father of the subject of this sketch, was born,
reared and educated in Kennebunk, Maine. He afterward went to Massachusetts,
where he learned to manufacture boots and shoes, which business he followed
uninterruptedly until 1864. In this year he embarked from New York city on the
steamer Golden Age for Aspinwall, with San Francisco as his ultimate goal.
Arriving at Aspinwall, he crossed the Isthmus to Panama and embarked on the
steamer Golden Gate for San Francisco, but the steamer, becoming disabled on the
way, it was towed into port by the steamer Northern Light. Mr. Bartlett then
sailed on the brig Monitor for Puget Sound, and landed at Port Discovery, August
1, 1864. He shortly afterward crossed to Port Townsend, where he opened the
Washington Hotel, which he managed successfully two years. He then purchased the
general merchandise store of Francis W. James and continued in that business
until 1871, when he sold his interest to Mr. James. Mr. Bartlett then bought the
store and stock of Hastings Brothers, and, increasing the general stock,
conducted it profitably for nine years. At the end of this time, in 1880, he
erected the present handsome stone business block, containing two stores, 55 x
100 feet, which cost $50,000. When completed he moved his stock into it, and in
company with his brother, F. Albert Bartlett, and his son, Frank A., he
organized the firm of C.O. Bartlett & Co., retiring from the active management
of the business shortly afterward. In 1883 he opened a trading post at Juneau,
where he engaged in salmon-packing and mining operations, which he continued
about eight years. In 1888 he repurchased the interest of F. Albert Bartlett in
the store, the firm name continuing the same. Besides his individual business
enterprises, Mr. Bartlett found time to take an active interest in the
development of his adopted and favored city. Its citizens in turn sought to
secure the benefit of his long and varied experience in public affairs by
electing him to a number of responsible offices. He served them faithfully and
efficiently for a number of years in each of the following offices: County
Treasurer and County and Pilot Commissioner. He died in January, 1893, aged
fifty-five years, leaving his widow and only child, Frank A. Bartlett, to
perpetuate his name and inherit his fortune. The sense of loss which his death
occasioned was not confined to members of his family, for his charity had been
no less extensive than his enterprises, and many survived to bless his memory,
while his community, which he had benefited by public counsel and wise
administration of its affairs, realized it had experienced a deep calamity.
	Frank A. Bartlett, the subject of this sketch, son, survivor and perpetuator
of an honored name, was about five years of age when he accompanied his father
and mother to the Pacific coast, thus early becoming initiated in the hardships
of pioneer life. He was reared in Port Townsend and educated in her public
schools and at Bishop Scott's grammar school at Portland, Oregon. When eighteen
years of age he entered his father's store as clerk, there learning those
practical lessons in mercantile affairs which has been the foundation of a wide
experience and great prosperity. Three years later, on attaining his majority,
he became a partner in the firm and also general manager of the business, a
deserved tribute to his ability and energy. That this confidence was not
mis-placed is proved by the steady progress of the business to its present large
proportions, its operations being in general merchandise and shipchandlery.
	In 1880 Mr. Bartlett was married to Miss Leila Seavey, an intelligent and
accomplished lady, daughter of James Seavey, a well-known pioneer of' the
Northwest, and they have two children: Charles Carroll and Francis Merrill.
	In politics Mr. Bartlett is a Republican, and has done meritorious service
in a number of public offices of trust. He was six years County Treasurer, two
years a member of the City Council, and for some time Chairman of the Board of
Health of Puget Sound. He has always stood ready to aid the business enterprises
of his community, and his known financial ability and integrity have placed him
in prominent positions in these undertakings. He was four years president of the
Chamber of Commerce, has been treasurer of the Puget Sound Telegraph Company,
director of Port Townsend Mill Company, president of the Port Townsend Steel,
Wire and Nail Company, and has taken an active interest in organizing the Port
Townsend Gas and Fuel Company, and is justly considered one of the
representative business men of the Key, City of Puget Sound.
	
	
Submitted to the WA. Bios Project in September 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.