An Illustrated History of the State of Washington, by Rev. H.K. Hines, D.D., The
Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, IL., 1893, page 336
	
	
	HARRY F. BAER, a prominent business man of Spokane, was born in Chicago,
Illinois, October 11, 1854, a son of Adam and Adelina (Spangnable) Baer, the
former a native of Hesse Darmstadt, and the latter of Hanover, Germany. The
father was a merchant by occupation. In 1842 the parents came to the United
States, locating in Chicago, Illinois.
	Harry F., the subject of this sketch, received his education in the public
schools of his native city. After leaving school he was engaged in the cattle
business in Cheyenne, Wyoming, until 1881, and in that year removed to Oregon.
He next followed mining in Alaska, then railroading in Washington; next was
associated with Mr. Goetz in merchandising at Heron Siding, Montana, one year;
then located at Wallula Junction, Washington; and later opened hotels at
Thompson Falls, Montana, Murray, Idaho, and in the mining district of Coeur d'
Alene. In 1887 he came with Mr. Goetz to Spokane, Washington.
	In 1883 Mr. Baer went to the Coeur d' Alene, where he was engaged in mining
until 1889, and in that year came to Spokane and bought property at a cost of
$33,000, and erected a fine building at a cost of $230,000. This building was
destroyed during the great fire of August, 1889. The next day Mr. Baer resumed
business in the largest tent in the world, the canvas and equipments -- having
cost $20,000, and soon afterward, in June, 1890, he erected his present fine
block, at a cost of $95,000, the same being one of the most substantial and
beautiful in architecture of all similar buildings in the State. In addition to
his other business interests, our subject also owns considerable property in and
around Spokane.
	Mr. Baer was married in 1892, to Miss Sadie Scott Smith, a native of
Kentucky. Socially, he is a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge, No. 17, of the
Knights of Pythias, No. 40, and politically affiliates with the Democratic
party.
	
	
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.