An Illustrated History of the State of Washington, by Rev. H.K. Hines, D.D., 
The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, IL., 1893, pages 488-489

	RANKO PETKOVITS, a well-known resident of Seattle, and the only
manufacturing furrier in the State of Washington, was born in Southern Hungary,
July 26, After securing a practical common-school education, he decided upon the
furrier business as an occupation, and, to perfect himself in the art, he first
served a three-years apprenticeship with a manufacturer at Arrand, then spent
four years in different manufacturing establishments in Germany, one year in
Paris, six months in London, and iii 1882 removed to America and spent nearly
three years with the leading furriers of New York city and Boston, learning the
language of the country and the styles and methods of doing business among the
American people. In 1885 he came to San Francisco, and in the spring of 1886 to
Portland, Oregon, gathering up ideas as to the handling of skins and furs on the
Pacific coast. Thus securing a careful knowledge of the fur business of the
United States, and being desirous of engaging in business, he selected Seattle
as the most desirable location, it being the greatest city of the Northwest and
nearest to the seal fisheries of Bering Sea, and to the trapping grounds of
British Columbia and Alaska. Mr. Petkovits came to Seattle in June, 1886, and
with $3,000 as cash capital, at once engaged in the fur business. In February,
1887, he took in as partner Mr. O.L. Hubbard, and the firm conducted a general
business in hides, pelts, wool and manufacturing furs. After one year the firm
dissolved, divided the stock, and Mr. Petkovits continued the manufacturing
department, and ran a small tannery therewith for the preparation of skins. In
the great fire of June, 1889, his manufactory was burned out, with almost a
total loss of pelts and stock. This was a serious blow, but two months later he
resumed business, which has forged steadily and successfully forward, until his
stock now represents about $20,000. For two seasons he sent out sealing
schooners to the fisheries, but owing to unfortunate management of vessels this
venture proved a failure, and he now purchases skins in shipload lots and
exports to the markets of New York and London, also handling the pelts of all
the fur animals of the Northwest, which are procured from the natives and
trappers. He carries a large stock of manufactured goods in fancy furs, carriage
robes, rugs, etc. Mr. Petkovits personally supervises all the work which he
produces, and with his thorough knowledge and honorable business methods, his
success has been well deserved, and in the same he takes an honorable degree of
pride. He has also dealt considerably in real estate, and owns valuable improved
and improved residence property in Seattle and acre property south of the city.
July 12, 1893, Mr. Petkovits opened a branch establishment at Spokane, in the
business operations of which city the enterprise is destined to become an
important factor.

Submitted to the WA. Bios Project in October 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.