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

FRANK LA ROCHE, the popular and artistic photographer of the city of Seattle,
was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, June 20, 1853. His parents, Aaron and
Anna (Hersh) La Roche, were natives of the same city, descended from French and
German ancestry, who were among the early settlers of Pennsylvania. Subject was
educated in the schools of Philadelphia, and at the age of 17 years entered upon
his life work, by taking a position in a photographic studio in his native city.
After two years of study and practice, he engaged in business, at Quaker City,
and in 1873 went to Mauch Chunk, following a general photographic business, and
also attending to the taking of views of the Lehigh Valley railroad, in 1875 Mr.
La Roche went to Florida on a viewing expedition, making his headquarters at St.
Augustine. In 1876 he started for Australia in the interest of Harper Bros. of
New York city, to view the South Sea islands for illustrations, but on arrival
at Honolulu his partner was taken sick and the trip was abandoned. Returning to
the States Mr. La Roche then opened a gallery at Salt Lake City, and in 1878, he
was employed by the United States Government to make seventy-eight negatives of
the transit of Mercury, and twenty-three similar negatives for the French
government. During the exposition at New Orleans Mr. La Roche was employed in
various galleries, and also traveled through the State, giving instructions in
photography. In the spring of 1888 he opened a gallery at Des Moines, Iowa, and
in competition at the State fair he secured six out of seven prizes for
excellency of workmanship. In July, 1889, he came to Seattle, bringing with him
the necessary equipment for a first-class gallery. Arriving just after the fire,
he found the city in ashes, but at once opened a gallery in the Kilgen block,
subsequently removing to the top floor of the Downs block, where he has fitted
up a studio, embracing a large surface measurement, and making one of the
largest and most complete galleries in the Northwest. Mr. La Roche has given
much attention to viewing, and has a very complete series depicting Alaska and
Puget Sound scenery, embracing upward of 3,000 negatives. He, however, devotes
more particular attention to a high-class portrait photography. Through his
extended acquaintance in the East he learns of and secures the latest
improvements, which, in connection with his pronounced ability, enables him to
produce artistic effects unexcelled in the Northwest. He was married in Seattle,
in 1891, to Miss Ida M. Crary, native of Kentucky, and his home is situated on
Rochester avenue, overlooking Lake Washington and the magnificent scenery of the
Cascade and Olympic mountains.

Submitted to the WA. Bios Project in January 2004 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.