An Illustrated History of the State of Washington, by Rev. H.K. Hines, D.D., The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, IL., 1893 JOHN M. LYON, a resident of Seattle, was born in Dixborough, near Ann Arbor, Michigan, March 13, 1840. His parents, John and Charlotte C. (Cramer) Lyon, were natives of New York State. In 1839 John Lyon emigrated with his family to Michigan, traveling by ox teams, and leaving his family near Ann Arbor; he pushed on to the present location of Jackson, where he purchased 300 acres of land, built three houses during the winter, and there moved his family within the summer of 1840. Mr. Lyon died in 1841, leaving his widow and seven children, three of whom were by a previous marriage. John M. remained with his mother until sixteen years of age, employing his time upon the farm and in improving such educational facilities as the town afforded. In May, 1860, Mr. Lyon started for California by the Panama route from New York. The trip was made in twenty-two days, then the quickest trip on record. Arriving in San Francisco, he proceeded to Red Bluff, where his brothers, Darwin B. and Lyman A. then resided, having crossed the plains in 1850. Our subject engaged in the study of telegraphy under his brother Darwin, and in 1863 went to Portland as manager of that office for the Western Union Company. After one year Mr. Lyon began traveling for the company through Oregon and Washington, establishing offices and giving instructions in the art of telegraphy. Upon the completion of the line to New Westminster, British Columbia, connecting with the Western Union Russian Extension, Mr. Lyon took charge of that office, but shortly after the Atlantic cable was laid, which caused the extension of the Russian line to be abandoned, after 600 miles of line were constructed and $11,000,000 of money disbursed. While at Westminster the Queen's "Potlache" was given to the Indians, who were invited from all along the coast, and they responded in such numbers that the presents gave out, and trouble was only avoided by the Agent of Public Works buying out a hardware and grocery store and presenting the wares to the Indians. Great excitement prevailed, but the timely arrival of three gunboats prevented an outbreak, and no doubt saved the lives of the white settlers. In the fall of 1865 Mr. Lyon came to Seattle and was appointed circuit manager of all lines north of Portland, and continued in that capacity up to April, 1882, when, after twenty years of service, his resignation was tendered, and very reluctantly accepted. He was also agent of the Puget Sound Telegraph Company's lines, which were put through in 1870, connecting Seattle with Port Townsend. He discharged the duties of that office up to 1884. In 1882 Mr. Lyon engaged in the stationery and book business, which he continued until February, 1887, when he was appointed Postmaster of Seattle, under the Cleveland administration, and held office until June, 1889, when the changed administration appointed his successor. Since that date Mr. Lyon has not engaged in active business, except in looking after his real estate and business property. He is a life-long Democrat, a prominent man in his party, and has frequently been a nominee for public preferment, but by reason of his party being in minority he failed of election. He served in the City Council in 1872, and at present is a member of the House of Delegates. He was married at Claquato, Lewis county, Washington, in 1865, to Miss Livonia Huntington, daughter of Jacob Huntington, a pioneer of 1850. Four children have blessed this union: Callie, Charlotte, Arthur and Susan. Submitted to the WA. Bios Project in January 2004 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.