An Illustrated History of the State of Washington, by Rev. H.K. Hines, D.D., The
Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, IL., 1893, pages 307-308
	
	HENRY L. TILTON, one of the wealthy and influential men of Spokane, was born
at North Danville, Vermont, May 3, 1828, and the early years of his life were
spent on a farm, where he soon developed the good qualities of character which
have led him so successfully through life.
	At the age of twenty years he moved to Littleton, New Hampshire, where he
occupied a position as clerk in a store, and by his economical habits he saved
money enough in a couple of years to make a journey to San Francisco. He arrived
there in the early part of 1850, when many of the pioneers of the Golden West
had braved the dangers of the trip across the plains. His first venture was to
sell water to these brave sojourners. He followed this business for a short time
only, and for one year subsequently he acted as clerk in a hardware store, but
his superior business qualifications soon commanded the recognition they
deserved, and we next find him as the senior member of the firm of Tilton &
Cady. From his humble start in life he soon advanced to one of the principal
business men, and after three years of lucrative business he was enabled to
retire and return East, locating in Littleton, New Hampshire. Consecutively he
became a dealer in lumber, a trader in timber land, a merchant, a banker, and he
was honored by his fellow citizens with a seat in the State Legislature.
	During the year of 1885 Mr. Tilton made a journey through the West, and
during his tour of inspection he visited Spokane Falls, where his foresight and
business knowledge at once gave him prescience of the chances which investment
offered here. He made large purchases of real estate and established the Tilton
Loan Company. He associated himself with I.S. Kaufman in erecting the new
postoffice building and the handsome and imposing granite block, two structures
of which older cities might feel justly proud. He again visited his home in the
East and returned in 1888, and when he realized that his faith in the future
development of Spokane Falls had been well founded he bought more realty and
organized the real estate and loan firm of Tilton, Stoker, Frye & Co. He has
been one of the men on whom this community could always count when money was
needed and assistance required in the interest and welfare of the city, he was
one of the originators of several of the most substantial banking corporations.
	Judge Tilton, as he is commonly known, is erect in figure, and his
commanding and venerable form are in perfect accord with an honorable career.
Few men can delight in a more thorough knowledge of having done their duty
toward their fellow men in the city in which they reside than Judge Tilton.
	Mr. Tilton has not been inclined to political life. He was, however, a
delegate to the Chicago Convention in 1880, which nominated James A. Garfield
for President, and was elected one of the New Hampshire Electors on that ticket.
He was a member of Governor Straw's staff, with rank of Colonel, in 1872.
	
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
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