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

J.D. HINCKLEY, one of the honored pioneers of Seattle, was born on High Prairie,
St. Clair county, Illinois, June 30, 1827. His parents, Timothy and Hannah
(Smith) Hinckley, were natives of Maine, where their ancestors were among the
pioneers of the State. Timothy Hinckley was a ship carpenter by trade, and
started westward in 1816, first locating, in Hamilton county, Ohio, where he was
married. In 1818 he removed to Illinois. Traveling by water and going up the
Mississippi river on one of the old "broad-horn" flat-bottom boats, which was
"poled" on its way along the shores, this being before the days of steam
navigation. He took up a claim on High Prairie, and then worked as wheelwright
in St. Louis and elsewhere, thus supporting his family during the pioneer
experiences. The subject of this sketch was reared on the farm and attended the
winter schools of St. Clair county. Up to his fourteenth year, when he began
working with his father in the sawmill at Belleville, Illinois, and learned the
trade of engineer. Reaching his majority in 1848, young Hinckley then struck out
for self-support, and going to Lexington, Missouri, he engaged in the milling
business and remained until 1850, when he joined three companions and with a
prairie outfit of horses and mules crossed the plains to California. After a
pleasant experience of ninety days they arrived safely at Hangtown, now known as
Placerville. There Mr. Hinckley engaged in mining, which he pursued in various
localities until February, 1853; then, going to San Francisco, he embarked by
sailing vessel for Portland. Thence, in company with Henry Adams, now of Kent,
and Frank Mathias, now deceased, he came overland to Olympia and down the Sound
to Seattle, then but a very small hamlet. Mr. Hinckley began work as engineer at
the Port Madison mill and later in the same capacity for H.L Yesler at Seattle,
and Captain Renton at Port Orchard. He also served as engineer of the old
steamboat "Traveler," which plied between Olympia and Victoria, carrying mail,
passengers and freight. While thus engaged he towed the first raft of logs ever
taken down Puget Sound. Thus, in steam-boating and milling, Mr. Hinckley was
occupied until 1875, when he retired to his small farm of nine acres, bordering
on Lake Union, and there began clearing and improving. With cows, chickens,
fruit and gardening, he provided for his family, accepting such other occupation
as he could secure. He bought a lot 120 feet square, - the present site of the
Hinckley Block, - at an early day, paying $25O therefor, and in 1890 built the
present spacious and handsome building. He still resides at Lake Union, where he
owns four and half acres of his original purchase. In politics Mr. Hinckley was
formerly a Whig, but later became a Democrat. He served in the Territorial
Legislature in the session of 1856-'57, and was the originator of the bill
creating and organizing the county of Kitsap. He has since served two terms in
the Legislature; was one of the early Justices of King county, and has served as
a member of the City Council. Mr. and Mrs. Hinckley have seven children who
lived to years of maturity, viz.: Katharine H., now Mrs. Perry Polson, of La
Conner; Charles B.; Clara P., now Mrs. Sherman; Moran, of Seattle; Ferdinand;
Walter R.; Ira; and Lyman.

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.