Arthur Stowell Cory was born about 1880. He was the only child of Rev. William H. and Alida (Stowell) Cory. In 1888 the family moved to South Dakota where his father was a Methodist Episcopalian minister until his retirement due to health problems in 1901. His parents lived in Seattle, WA until his father's death in 1904. Arthur graduated from Dakota Wesleyan University in 1901. While he was at college, he met his future wife, Johanna Kiehlbauch. After graduation he took a job as an editor of a rural newspaper and a position at a small bank in Alpena, SD where he made up the entire office force except for the owner. In 1903 Arthur moved to Chehalis, WA to be closer to his parents and to see if there were banking opportunities for him there. He organized the Security State Bank in Chehalis, WA. He returned to SD in July 1904 to marry Johanna and following their wedding returned to Chehalis, WA. They were very active and respected citizens in their community. Mr. Cory' s activities included: organizing the Security State Bank, Chehalis National Bank, Lewis County Savings and Loan Association and St. Helen's Savings and Loan; election as city Treasurer of Chehalis, WA; election to Chehalis Board of Education; elections to 8 terms as State Representative; election as Director of Federal Home Loan Bank of Portland; Election as Pres., Lt. Gov., and District Governor of Kiwanis; election to many degrees of Masonry; securing U.S. Army tanker to be named Chehalis and election to Washington State Historical Society. He ran unsuccessfully for the Washington State Treasurer in 1912 as a member of the Progressive Party. Johanna Cory was just as active with social activities and Church activities as Mr. Cory was with business and politics. Yet, they had time to vacation together and vacation to countries all over the world. Arthur and Johanna celebrated their sixtieth anniversary in 1964 with a party hosted by their two daughters.
From the description of Washington State Library's collection of selected manuscripts of Arthur S. and Johanna (Kiehlbauch) Cory, 1964-1966. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 294913761
