Royal Amenzo Gove (1856-1920) was an early Tacoma physician, city council member, and public health officer. He was born in Vermont and raised in Minnesota. After studying medicine and surgery in Chicago, Louisville, and Iowa, Dr. Gove practiced medicine in Minnesota before moving to Tacoma in 1890 to start a new practice. In April 1892 and again in 1894, he was elected to the Tacoma City Council. Dr. Gove also served on the Washington State Board of Examiners.
An active Mason, Dr. Gove was Grand Master of the Masonic Lodge of Washington in 1908 and 1909. He was a member of the Evergreen Lodge, Tacoma chapter; Royal Arch Masons; Scottish Rite; the Grotto and Eastern Star; and the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He was variously President and Treasurer of the Pierce County Medical Society, which he helped to found, and was also a member of the State Medical Society, the American Medical Society, and the Tacoma Commercial Club. He died in Tacoma on January 21, 1920 after a three month illness.
Collection includes pamphlets collected by Royal Gove during his public service career, with information about the activities of various clubs, businesses, city departments, and other organizations in Tacoma between 1890 and 1920. Also included are photos of family and friends, including a photo album showing prominent Tacoma residents William B. and Alice Blackwell, with interior views of the Blackwell House at 401 Broadway in Tacoma, WA.
This collection is open for research.
Royal Gove Papers; MS-026; box [ ]; Northwest Room Special Collections, Tacoma Public Library, Tacoma, WA.