"A Volume of Memoirs and Genealogy of Representative Citizens of the City of
Seattle and County of King, Washington." New York and Chicago: Lewis Publishing
Co., 1903.  p. 501.
 
SAMUEL LAFROMBOISE

     From the age of thirteen years Samuel Lafromboise has made his own way in
the world and he has truly won the proud American title of a self-made man and
deserves the credit and distinction which this term implies. He was born at
Pembroke, Ontario, Canada, January 3, 1858. His father, Nicholas Lafromboise,
was a native of the same province, born in 1811, and was engaged in the lumber
business in Canada from 1854 until 1864, when he removed to Winnebago county,
Wisconsin. There he took out naturalization papers in 1865, thus becoming a
citizen of the Union. He bought a farm there and continued in this occupation
until his death, which occurred in 1869. In early manhood he had wedded Mary
Jane Blakely, who was born in Londonderry, in the north of Ireland, and is now
deceased.
     Samuel Lafromboise was only about six years of age when the family removed
to Wisconsin, and there in the public schools of Winnebago county he continued
his education until he reached the age of thirteen years. Upon the death of his
father it was necessary that he should begin earning his own livelihood and he
secured employment in the lumber business, by which means he was enabled to
support his mother, his sister and his younger brother. After reaching manhood
he held responsible positions, such as foreman with the Pioneer Lumber Company
at Eau Claire, Wisconsin, also foreman with the Doby Brothers Lumber Company of
Haywood, and the Chipaway Lumber Company. In this way several years were passed
and he became thoroughly conversant with the lumber trade and contributed not a
little to the success of the firms which he represented.
     When Mr. Lafromboise arrived in Washington he was employed as timber
cruiser for the St. Paul Lumber Company of Tacoma for one summer. Later he came
to Enumclaw, and secured a timber claim near the town. This he proved up and
later sold it to the White River Lumber Company.  In January, 1897, he built a
small hotel, and in December, 1898, he erected a large two-story building, which
is now used as a public hall and a saloon. In 1902 he erected a handsome
three-story hotel building which under his management has proved of benefit to
the place of his residence. He was a stockholder and an active member of the
Enumclaw Improvement Company, which existed from 1892 until 1894, and had an
option on sixty acres of the town site for a number of years.   This company
erected several buildings, including a large creamery. On settling up the
affairs of the Improvement Company, when it went out of business, the
creamery building was purchased by F. O. Nickerson and Mr. Lafromboise, but
in the spring of 1902 this building was destroyed by fire and our subject
soon afterward sold the ground to the White River Lumber Company.  His
principal business of recent years has been dealing in realty and he has owned
and is still the possessor of valuable property here.
     On the 3d of September, 1891, in Enumclaw, occurred the marriage of Mr.
Lafromboise and Miss Susan Calhoun, who was born in Scotland November 1, 1871,
and came to this place in 1889. Her father, James Calhoun. was superintendent of
coal mines in Scotland, and filled similar positions, but he died in Enumclaw in
1895.   His widow, Mrs. Elizabeth Calhoun, after residing for eight years in
Enumclaw, returned to Glasgow, Scotland. where she died in 1901. To Mr. and Mrs.
Lafromboise have been born four children, namely:   Guy Nicholas, James George,
Arthur Adams and Samuel Blakley. Mr. Lafromboise endorses the Republican party,
believing that its principles are best calculated to conserve the general
welfare of the nation.  He is identified with the Independent Order of Odd
Fellows and with the Red Men of this place.  His success in life may be
attributed to a determined pursuit of business and to the fact that he is a man
of honesty and integrity.


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Submitted to the Washington Biographies Project in May 2008 by Diana Smith.
Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned
above.