Stimpson Family

The Stimpson Family Papers document several generations of the Stimpson and Watts families and their activities in the Pacific Northwest. Both families made significant contributions to the community of Bellingham, Washington, during the twentieth century, notably in the areas of health care, education, and business.

Born in Northampton, England, Edward Whitmell Stimpson (1875-1960) emigrated to the United States with his parents, John Stimpson and Caroline (Whitmell) Stimpson, as an infant. The family lived in Chicago, western Minnesota, and North Dakota before settling finally in the Pacific Northwest. Edward W. Stimpson returned to the Midwest to attend medical school at the University of Minnesota where he earned his degree in 1903. After graduation, Edward returned to the region and established his first medical practice in Roslyn, Washington. In 1905, he married Mabel Keown, with whom he had two children, Edward Keown and Mabel. In 1909, following his first wife's death, Edward married his sister-in-law Edith Keown. Together, Edward, Edith and the children migrated to Bellingham, Washington, where he resumed his career as a physician in 1914. In 1938, Edward married his third wife Ella Harrison. Edward W. Stimpson died in Bellingham in 1960.

Arthur E. Watts, his wife Maud Belden Watts, and their young daughter Ruth, moved to Bellingham, Washington from Nashua, Iowa around 1905. After arriving in Bellingham, the Watts family grew to include three additional children, Catharine (Kitty), Elizabeth (Betty), and Arthur Jr. Arthur Watts Sr. began his career in Bellingham as a land agent for the Bellingham Bay Improvement Company, and later ran his own real estate and insurance business. Actively involved in civic affairs, Arthur was a founder and the first president of the influential Young Men's Commercial Club. Under Watts’ leadership, the club provided the funding to create Whatcom Falls Park in 1908. Arthur Watts Sr. died in 1930, and Maud died in 1950.

Edward K. Stimpson, the first son of Edward W. and Mabel (Keown) Stimpson, was born April 2, 1906. He arrived in Whatcom County with his parents at the age of seven. He graduated salutatorian from Whatcom High School in 1923, where he was student body president. He attended Reed College, Stanford University, and graduated from Harvard Medical School in 1933.

After completing an internship in New Haven, Connecticut, Edward returned to Bellingham, where he married his high school sweetheart, Catharine (Kitty) Watts, and became a partner in his father's medical practice. As a lifelong social activist in the Bellingham community, Edward served as campaign chairman for the American Red Cross in 1934, and as a board member from 1935 to 1948. He was an early proponent of local civil defense efforts and a lifelong advocate for public health and local hospitals. Edward served in the Army Air Corps in England and Russia during World War II, after which he was a strong supporter of the United Nations and United World Federalists. He was also a member of the boards for the YMCA and the United Good Neighbors. His community activities included involvement in the Rotary Club, the Chamber of Commerce, American Legion, and several other recreational and service organizations.

Edward’s career in medicine led to an abiding interest in community health issues. He helped form the first full time district health department, was a member of the Board of Health in 1948, and medical chairman for St. Luke's Hospital Building Committee. He maintained professional affiliations with the Whatcom County Medical Society, the American Medical Association, was a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and councilor of the Washington Chapter of the American College of Surgeons. Edward was awarded the A.H. Robbins Community Service Award by the Washington State Medical Association in 1967. In 1967, St. Luke's Hospital named its new wing for Dr. Stimpson. Edward died in October, 1967 at the age of 61.

Born February 17, 1907, the second of four children to Arthur and Maud Belden Watts, Catharine C. "Kitty" (Watts) Stimpson was a lifelong resident of Bellingham, Washington. She graduated valedictorian from Whatcom High School in 1923, and attended Washington State Normal School (now Western Washington University) and the University of Washington, where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa in English in 1929. After graduation from Washington State Normal School, Kitty worked briefly as a schoolteacher in Everson, Washington during the 1925-1926 school year. After her father's death in 1930, Kitty took over the Watts family real estate and insurance business.

After their marriage in 1933, Kitty and Edward raised seven children, Edward, Catharine, Mary, Susan, Jane, Caroline and John. Following the death of her husband in 1967, Kitty became a nationally recognized civic leader. She served on the boards of Whatcom Community College, St. Luke's Hospital, Fairhaven College Advisory Council, Mount Baker Theatre Committee, United Way, Opportunity Council, City Club, Allied Arts, City Center Development Authority, Planned Parenthood, Women's Political Caucus, North Puget Sound Comprehensive Health Planning Council and the American Hospital Association Regional Advisory Board. In 1977, President Jimmy Carter appointed Kitty to the National Council on Educational Research, the policy board for the National Institute of Education.

Kitty Stimpson received many awards for her public service, including the 1990 Living Treasure Award from the Bellingham Municipal Arts Commission, 1990 Citizen of the Year award from Whatcom County Association of Realtors, 1987 Woman of Distinction given by Soroptomists International of Bellingham. In May of 1998, she was honored with a sculpture, “Zoe Garden Wall,” in Big Rock Garden Park for her lifetime of service to the Bellingham community. Kitty died at the age of 91 on July 29, 1998.

From the guide to the Stimpson Family papers, 1866-1998, 1920-1990, (Western Washington University Heritage Resources)