An Illustrated History of the State of Washington, by Rev. H.K. Hines, D.D., The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, IL., 1893, pages 474-475 FREDERICK W. WALD, a retired hardware merchant of Seattle, was born in 1848, in Prussia, Germany, where his ancestors had resided for many generations. In 1860 his parents, Gerhart and Sybilia Wald, emigrated with their children to the United States, locating first in St. Louis, Missouri, but one year later removed to a firm near Marion, Illinois. Frederick W. received his primary education in the schools of Prussia, and later attended the public schools of St. Louis. In 1864 he entered the Jones Commercial College, of that city, and his progress there was so rapid that he graduated after three months. Mr. Wald then secured an engagement as bookkeeper with Woodburn, Smith & Co., wholesale dealers in wagon and carriage materials and hardware; three years afterward became the cashier and treasurer, and subsequently manager of the business, continuing in their employ for a period of ten years. In July, 1875, he went to California, and after an extended trip through that State located in Seattle. Soon after his arrival here, Mr. Wald met an old acquaintance, F.W. Wusthoff, and they engaged in the hardware business, making a specialty of mechanicsí tools and buildersí hardware. This business was far in advance of the town, and the enterprise was considered exceedingly hazardous, and probably short-lived. But they pushed energetically forward, and were rewarded by ample success. After two years our subject bought out his partner's interest, and continued alone until 1880, when James Campbell became a member of the firm. They conducted a successful business until 1886, and in that year Mr. Wald sold his interest and retired from active labor. Since that time he has been engaged in improving his property. He erected the Harvard block, 60 x 108 feet, on the corner of Second and Virginia streets, for business and residence purposes. In Victoria, British Columbia, in 1879, he was united in marriage to Miss Emma C. Bossi, a native of New York city. They have had five children, namely: Charles, Rosa, Lilly, Frederick and Emma. Mr. Wald has served the city as Alderman, Secretary of the Board of Public Works, Superintendent of Water Works and in his political views supports the Republican party. Socially, he is a member of the I.O.O.F. and Encampment. 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.