The Passing of Bailey Gatzert
Seattle mourns the loss of a pioneering merchant and pillar of the early commercial establishment.
Hon. Bailey Gatzert died at the Rainier Hotel at 2:30 o'clock this morning. Born in Germany in 1831, Gatzert arrived in Seattle in 1866 and established a branch of the Schwabacher Bros. mercantile house. Under his leadership, the firm became a powerhouse of Northwest commerce. Gatzert served as mayor of Seattle in 1875, was a president of the Chamber of Commerce, and helped found the Puget Sound National Bank. His influence extended to the Seattle & Walla Walla Railway, the Spring Hill Water Company, and the city's early street railway system. Known for his civic pride and generosity, he remained a steadying force during the turbulent anti-Chinese riots of the 1880s, consistently advocating for law and order. He leaves behind a legacy as one of the architects of Seattle's commercial prestige.
“His heart was wrapped up in the advancement of the city's interests, and to this cause he devoted his time, his money and his tireless energies.”
Bailey Gatzert was a quintessential city builder of the 19th century, whose name still marks a Seattle elementary school. His death in 1893 marked the end of an era for the 'old guard' merchants who steered the city through its formative and often violent transition period.
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