Attebery, E. Raymond (Edgar Raymond), 1895-1944.

Seattle clergyman and civic leader.

Born in Missouri in 1895, Edgar Raymond Attebery joined the Oregon National Guard in 1917 and served for two years, including 14 months in WW I France. He earned his B.A. from the University of Washington in 1921, attended Oxford University on a Rhodes Scholarship, and received his bachelor of theology degree from Harvard Divinity School in 1925. In that year, he became pastor of Grace Methodist Episcopal Church in Seattle (renamed Grace Methodist Church ca. 1939). Attebery was active in civil causes. In 1929 he played an active role in the effort to free International Workers of the World (IWW) members jailed after the 1919 Armistice Day clash between workers and veterans in Centralia. He was also a vocal advocate of Prohibition and a critic of American isolationism. Attebery joined the Washington National Guard as a chaplain in 1929. He was called to active duty in September 1940 and died while landing with his division on Biak Island, New Guinea, in May 1944.

From the description of E. Raymond Attebery papers, 1913-1979 (bulk 1918-1944). (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 56398477

Edgar Raymond Attebery was born in Missouri on Sept. 11, 1895. After graduating from Everett High School he attended Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, until his studies were interrupted by World War I. In 1917 he joined the Oregon National Guard and served for two years, including 14 months in France. After the war, he earned his B.A. from the University of Washington in 1921, attended Oxford University on a Rhodes Scholarship, and received his bachelor of theology degree from Harvard Divinity School in 1925.

In Sept. 1925 Attebery became pastor of Grace Methodist Episcopal Church in Seattle (renamed Grace Methodist Church ca. 1939). He would serve in that post the rest of his life. In addition to his work in the ministry, Attebery was active in a number of civic causes. In 1929 he played an active role in the effort to free Industrial Workers of the World members jailed after the 1919 Armistice Day clash between workers and veterans in Centralia. He was also a vocal advocate of Prohibition and a critic of American isolationism.

Attebery joined the Washington National Guard as a chaplain in 1929. He was called to active duty in September 1940, and sent overseas the following year. He died while landing with his division on Biak Island, New Guinea, in May 1944.

From the guide to the E. Raymond Attebery Papers, 1913-1979, (University of Washington Libraries Special Collections)