John M. Frink | |
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![]() Frink c. 1903 | |
Member of the Washington State Senate from the 25th district | |
In office 1891–1899 | |
Preceded by | office established |
Succeeded by | Andrew Hemrich |
Personal details | |
Born | John Melancthon Frink January 21, 1855 Pennsylvania, USA |
Died | August 31, 1914 King County, Washington, USA | (aged 59)
Resting place | Lake View Cemetery |
Occupation | Politician, businessperson |
Known for | Frink Park, Seattle |
John Melancthon Frink (January 21, 1855 – August 31, 1914) was an early Washington state politician and businessperson.[1][2]
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]
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]