An Illustrated History of the State of Washington, by Rev. H.K. Hines, D.D., The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, IL., 1893, pages 432-433 WILLIAM HOLT BREWSTER, one of the representative and progressive business men of Vancouver, was born in England in 1844, a son of John and Hannah (Holt) Brewster, the former a native of Ireland, and the latter of England. William, the third of six children, left school at the age of twelve years, and accompanied his father to Australia, where the latter died in 1858. Mr. Brewster then returned to the land of his birth, but two years later came to America, becoming an American citizen within twenty-four hours after landing. He enlisted in Company M, Thirteenth New York Cavalry, for the late war, and served until 1865. Although Mr. Brewster was not a direct participant in any of the noted battles, he is none the less entitled to even greater distinction. His command was always on scouting duty, as the advance guard of Sheridan's Army of the Potomac, and all old soldiers will know the danger of that branch of service, and few have a relish for the constant moving and hardships connected with scouting, or, in other words, spying upon the movements of the enemy. While at Loudoun Valley, Virginia, Mr. Brewster was captured, but by taking desperate chances made his escape to the Federal lines, thereby, if not saving his life, at least avoiding the dreaded Libby Prison. After the close of the struggle he was employed as clerk for Lee, Bliss & Co., New York city, but six months later went to St. Louis, Missouri, and joined the Third United States Cavalry. Having a knowledge of pharmacy, which he had made a special study some years before, he was enlisted as a Steward, serving on the frontier three years. After returning to St. Louis he became a commercial traveler, next went to San Francisco, California; later engaged as clerk in a dry-goods store in Portland, Oregon, and at the breaking out of the Indian war we find him at the front, and later in charge of the post at Colville. Mr. Brewster was discharged in 1879, and for the following twelve months was employed as clerk for Captain Ainsworth, of the O.S.M. Company. In 1880 he established his present business, which is one of the largest general merchandise houses in Southwestern Washington. His stock consists of choice and fresh fruit, groceries, and delicacies of all kinds. He also carries a fine stock of hardware. Mr. Brewster was elected to the City Council in 1891, and has always taken an active interest in the general development of the city and county. Socially, he is Post Commander of the G.A.R., Ellsworth Post, No. 2, and is a member of the A.O.U.W., K. of P., and the I.O.O.F., having passed all the chairs in the last two orders. Our subject was married at Vancouver, Washington, February 25, 1879, to Lucy L. Dupuis, and they have two children, Robert N. and William H. Mrs. Brewster had five children by a former marriage. Submitted to the WA. Bios Project in October 2003 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.