Z. K. (Zebulon K.) Straight was born in Wayne County, NY in 1840 to Isaac and Anna Straight. Z. K. moved to WI in 1846, and then to Iowa in 1860. In 1861, he moved to Minnesota, where he learned his trade as watchmaker and jeweler. In 1870, he moved to Walla Walla, WA. It's unclear if his father, Isaac, and family moved to Walla Walla at the same time or if they followed him to Walla Walla. But, by 1871, the family was settled and Z. K. Straight had established himself in business. Mr. Straight married Margaret Alexander in April 1971 and they had two children. Mr. Straight went on to be elected three times to the city council and was a member of almost every political convention held in his town, including the State Convention of 1889. He was elected a member of the first Washington State Legislature on Oct. 1, 1889. While Mr. Straight was in NY, he made friends with Asa H. Stoddard. Mr. Stoddard had moved to Kalamazoo, MI by the 1880's. Mr. Stoddard and Mr. Straight continued their life long friendship through their correspondence discussing many things including their views on Spiritualism. Mr. Straight passed away sometime after 1900.
From the description of Z.K. Straight's correspondence with A.H. Stoddard, 1884-1887. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 190789073
