John M. Frink

John Melancthon Frink (January 21, 1855 – August 31, 1914) was an early Washington state politician and businessperson.[1][2]

John M. Frink
Frink c. 1903
Member of the Washington State Senate
from the 25th district
In office
1891–1899
Preceded byoffice established
Succeeded byAndrew Hemrich
Personal details
Born
John Melancthon Frink

(1855-01-21)January 21, 1855
Pennsylvania, USA
DiedAugust 31, 1914(1914-08-31) (aged 59)
King County, Washington, USA
Resting placeLake View Cemetery
OccupationPolitician, businessperson
Known forFrink Park, Seattle
Washington Iron Works headquarters in Pioneer Square, Seattle; also called Frink Building and Washington Shoe Building

Born in Pennsylvania in 1855, Frink attended Washington College in Topeka, and began a teaching career in Kansas. Arriving in Seattle in 1874, he both taught and served as principal at Seattle's Belltown School. Capitalizing on the city's growth, Frink formed a successful foundry business, Washington Iron Works. He later established the Seattle Electric Company, was a director of the Seattle Savings Bank, and served as a Washington State senator. He lost in the 1900 general election in a bid to unseat John Rankin Rogers as Governor of Washington State, running as a Republican.[3]

Frink in 1891

In 1906 Frink became a member of the Seattle Board of Park Commissioners, and later its president. In 1906 he donated the property that became Frink Park to the City of Seattle.[4][5]

He died on August 31, 1914, and is buried in Lake View Cemetery, Seattle.[6]

References
  1. Will A. Steel (1895), Steel & Searl's legislative souvenir manual for 1895-1896, pp. 66–67
  2. Press Reference Library Notables of the West. Vol. II. International News Service. 1915. p. 42. Retrieved July 25, 2020 – via Google Books.
  3. Washington governor race details, November 6, 1900, Our Campaigns, retrieved November 21, 2013
  4. Kathryn True; Maria Dolan (2003), Nature in the City Seattle, The Mountaineers, p. 48, ISBN 9780898868791
  5. Frink Park, Seattle Parks and Recreation
  6. The Everett Daily Herald, Monday, August 31, 1914, page 2


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