Hale, Calvin H. (Calvin Henry), 1818-1887

Superintendent of Indian Affairs for Washington Territory (1863-1864); in 1863 negotiated a treaty with the Nez Perce, substantially reducing their reservation as originally granted by a treaty of 1855; b. in Maine; moved to Portland, O.T., in 1851 and then to Olympia, W.T., 1852; elected to first territorial legislature, serving several terms; appointed Superintendent of Indian Affairs for W.T., by President Lincoln in 1862.

From the description of Calvin H. Hale letterbook and astrological charts by Charles C. Case, 1862-1864, 1893-1895. (Washington State Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 79461742

Calvin Henry Hale was born in 1818 in Maine. He became a master seaman and boat builder. Because he was a master seaman, when he and his family decided to travel to Washington Territory they chose the nautical route around Cape Horn to Olympia, WA. He acquired a 320-acre donation land claim on the northeast side of present day Olympia, WA. Hale had been a legislator in Maine and he quickly assumed a civic role in the Washington Territory. He attended the Monticello Convention in 1852 and served in the first territorial legislative assembly. Hale was appointed Superintendent of Indian Affairs for Washington and Idaho territories under President Abraham Lincoln in 1862. Hale negotiated the Treaty of 1863 that significantly reduced the size of the Nez Perce Indian Reservation. After his term as Superintendent, he had several public roles throughout the years. He was a local school board member, county coroner, and city councilman. He served in the Washington State House and Senate. Because he believed in education, he helped create Puget Sound Wesleyan Institute and served on the first Board of Regents for the University of Washington. As a businessman, he formed a franchise called the Washington Water Pipe Manufacturing Company which laid wooden pipes for the first water system in Olympia, WA. He was also part owner in a downtown mercantile. Hale's first wife was bedridden the last 6 years of her life due to a spinal injury from a fall. During this time, Hale cared for her. A few years after she passed away, Hale married Pamela Case. She was a respected schoolteacher, an astute businesswoman and a founding member of the Olympia Woman's Club. In 1882 she became the first woman ever elected as Thurston County's superintendent of public schools. They built a house that year that has became known as Hale House. It is on the National Registry of Historic Places. Mr. Hale passed away in 5 Aug. 1887 in Washington Territory.

From the description of Calvin H. Hale's correspondence, 1862-1863. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 271516186