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

J.A. BAILLARGEON, proprietor of the Lace House, in Seattle, and one of the
enterprising and successful merchants of the Queen City, was born in Quebec,
Canada, in February, 1856, descended from French ancestry. His father, who was a
mechanic of great ability and an enterprising contractor, was attracted by the
marvelous growth of Chicago, and moved there with his family in 1867, where he
established a fine plant for working hard woods for inside finishing, etc., now
carried on by two brothers of the subject of this sketch. After attending the
public schools of Chicago Mr. Baillargeon of this sketch entered upon his
business career, in his thirteenth year, in a retail dry-goods store in Chicago,
at the same time attending the night schools of that city, subsequently
completing a commercial course at Bryant & Stratton's Business College. By
perseverance and due diligence he passed through the several grades of clerkship
until he became salesman of one of the leading establishments of that city. In
1878, with the enthusiasm of youth and desiring the greater opportunities of a
newer country, he removed to California and spent four years as salesman in the
leading dry-goods stores of San Francisco. In 1882 he entered the employ of
Schwabacher Brothers, and came to Seattle to take charge of their dress-goods
department. In 1883 he engaged with William P. Boyd for one year, and in 1884
formed the copartnership of La Tour & Co., and opened a store for the sale of
fancy dry-goods. This business was commenced in a very small way, but by
enterprising, intelligent management was vigorously pushed to a successful
issue, and continued for three and a half years, when Mr. Baillargeon sold his
interest and retired from the firm. He then opened the Lace House in the Union
Block, dealing only in the finer qualities of dry goods and ladies' furnishings,
and conducted a very extensive business up to the great fire of June 6, 1889,
when his entire stock was destroyed, involving a total loss of $55,000. He
immediately resumed business in a large tent on the southeast corner of Second
and James streets, during the construction of the Occidental Block, and removed
thereto on June 6, 1890, thus celebrating the anniversary of the great fire. His
store now covers an area of 60 x 90 feet, with basement, and is fitted up with
the most improved facilities for conducting a large business, with a force of
thirty employees in constant attendance. The business has increased to such an
extent that larger accommodations had to be provided, and a handsome new
building is in course of erection, when double the present room will be secured.
The building is across the street from the present location, on the corner of
Second and James, and is being built expressly for the business. The house
employs a resident buyer in New York city, with office at No. 531 Broadway. His
stock embraces a general line of dry goods, both imported and domestic, which he
purchases direct from the manufacturers of the East and in Europe. Mr.
Baillargeon pursued his mercantile education with houses who conducted business
upon a cash basis, and he was among the first to establish that system in
Seattle, which has proven eminently successful, enabling him to buy on closer
margins, and to prove the old adage that "a nimble penny is better than a slow
shilling." He accredits his success to his thorough knowledge of every detail of
his business, accompanied with vigilance, perseverance, a careful study of human
nature, and the supplying of his customers' wants without selling spurious
articles. He was married in Seattle, in 1885, to Miss Abbie, daughter of John
Collins, one of the prominent citizens of the State. They have five children:
Marie, Emma, Cebert, John and Abbie. The family reside on the corner of Fifth
and Harvard streets, where Mr. Baillargeon has just completed a spacious and
elegant home.

Submitted to the WA. Bios Project in January 2004 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.