Eells, Edwin, 1841-1917

Edwin Eells was a son of Rev. Cushing and Myra Eells who were among the earliest Protestant missionaries in the area. He was born at Tsimakain Mission, some thirty miles north of present-day Spokane. He served for many years as Indian Agent at Tacoma.

From the guide to the Edwin S. Eells Speech, 1910, (Eastern Washington State Historical Society/Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture Joel E. Ferris Research Library and Archives)

Pioneer, lawyer, Congregationalist, author, and Indian agent to Puyallup and Skokomish tribes in Washington Territory; linguist; wrote on Indian tongues and folklore; lived in Walla Walla, Wash., area and later Tacoma.

From the description of Papers, 1862-[ca. 1947]. (Washington State Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 71014319

Edwin Eells was a lawyer and Indian Agent to the Puyallup and Skokomish tribes in Washington Territory. He was born July 27, 1841 at Tshimakain Mission in Stevens County, one of two sons of Rev. Cushing Eells and Myra Eells, missionaries to the Spokane Indians. After the Whitman massacre, the family moved to Oregon, but moved back to the area around Walla Walla in the early 1860s. At that time, Edwin helped his father establish a small school, which ultimately became Whitman College. After studying law in Seattle, Edwin Eells was appointed Indian Agent of the Skokomish Indian Agency. He served with various agencies until 1895 when he moved to Tacoma, where he helped create a Congregational Church and was a founder in the State Historical Society. He died in Tacoma in 1917.

From the description of Edwin Eells letter, 1910. (Spokane Public Library). WorldCat record id: 743357716