Samuel Slaughter
Samuel Clarence Slaughter | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1848 Culpeper County, Virginia, U.S. |
| Died | Error: Need valid birth date (second date): year, month, day Tacoma, Washington, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Banker, real estate developer, politician |
| Years active | 1860s–1910 |
| Known for | Real estate development and political service in Tacoma, Washington |
Samuel Clarence Slaughter (1848 – May 23, 1910) was originally a banker from New York who became a pioneering real estate developer and political figure in Tacoma, Washington. He dedicated over fifteen years to Norton, Slaughter & Company in New York before moving to Tacoma in 1883 to pursue opportunities in property investment. With more than twenty years in the real estate sector, Slaughter emerged as a leading personality within Washington state's property market. He was involved with Moore & Slaughter initially and later headed S. C. Slaughter & Company, significantly influencing Tacoma’s urban growth and commercial development.
A devoted Democrat and active participant in Pierce County's Democratic Club, Slaughter sought the position of Tacoma City Controller several times, securing the office in 1892 as the only Democrat elected that year. His two-year tenure contributed to managing the city’s finances during a vital phase of expansion.
Early life, family and education
Born in 1848 in Culpeper County, Virginia, Slaughter received his education locally. His father, Dr. Philip C. Slaughter, served as a surgeon for the Confederate Army during the American Civil War and held the role of chief surgeon at Camp Lee. The family heritage included ancestors from Welsh and Scottish settlers who had immigrated to America.
New York
Following his schooling, Slaughter relocated to New York where he joined the well-established banking firm Norton, Slaughter & Company. He spent over fifteen years there, acquiring extensive business acumen.
Real estate business
In 1882, Slaughter moved west to Tacoma, becoming one of the early real estate investors in what was then predominantly forested land in Washington State.
Among his initial property deals was the sale of a lot at Pacific Avenue and 11th Street—an area that eventually developed into a major commercial hub and housed the Pacific National Bank.
Slaughter facilitated numerous transactions involving properties that later became significant Tacoma landmarks. Historian William Farrand Prosser noted that Slaughter completed more deals than most of his contemporaries in this sector.
By 1884–1885, he operated an office at Pacific Avenue and 13th Street alongside Henry K. Moore under the name Moore & Slaughter. By 1903, he had become the principal partner of S. C. Slaughter & Company. Over the course of two decades, he earned recognition as one of Tacoma’s most forward-thinking businessmen, playing a crucial role in its commercial advancement.
Political activity in Tacoma
An active member of the Democratic Party, Slaughter participated prominently in Pierce County’s Democratic Club. In 1890, although nominated for Chairman of the County Commissioners, he chose instead to campaign for Tacoma City Controller, but was defeated by Republican J. H. Houghton.
He made another bid for City Controller in 1892 and succeeded, becoming the sole Democrat elected that year. His two-year term solidified his standing within local politics.
Personal life
Slaughter married Julia C. Widgery in San Francisco in 1889. Originally from England, Julia became a distinguished member of the Tacoma community by founding the Washington State Cooperative Society, serving as the sole female trustee of the Ferry Museum, and leading the Tacoma Art League—an organization that later evolved into the Tacoma Art Museum.
In 1908, Slaughter sustained injuries caused by a vehicle owned by the Tacoma Railway & Power Company, resulting in a $2,000 lawsuit filed against them in 1909.
He passed away from heart disease on May 23, 1910, in Tacoma and was interred at Oakwood Cemetery.