William McMicken papers, 1851-1902

Pioneer, engineer, military officer, public official. 1827-1899. McMicken born in Youngstown, New York learned engineering from his fathers firm. He moved to Wisconsin and then to Minnesota. When the Civil War erupted, he joined the Army, and was commissioned first lieutenant in Company B of the Tenth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, which fought against the Sioux in 1862. He subsequently was assigned to the Department of Tennessee, the Sixteenth Army Corps. Upon retiring from the military he returned to Minnesota and was appointed assessor of internal revenue of the state's First Congressional district. Poor health forced his move to the more temperate climate of the Puget Sound region in 1871. After working for the railroad, he was appointed the surveyor general for Washington Territory. A distinguished Mason, he was accorded high Masonic Honors at his funeral.