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Male, US, born 1887-08-10, died 1958-06-21

Associated with the firms network

Grainger, Thomas and Baar, Architects; Johanson, Bain, Brady and Grainger, Architects; Naramore, Grainger and Johanson, Architects; Naramore, Grainger and Thomas, Architects; Thomas and Grainger, Architects; Thomas, Grainger and Thomas, Architects; Willatzen, Andrew C.P., Architect


Professional History

Résumé

Grainger reported in 1955 having worked for various unnamed architectural firms between 1912 and 1923.

Draftsman, [Harlan] Thomas, Russell and [Walter E.] Rice, Architects, Seattle, WA, 1910-1912.

in 1917, Grainger had served 3 months in the Washington National Guard.

Draftsman, Andrew C.P. Willatzen (also spelled Willatsen), Architect, Seattle, WA, c. 1917. On the US Census form of 1920, Grainger indicated his profession as a salaried "draftsman" for an architect.

Draftsman, Arthur L. Loveless, Architect, Seattlle, WA, 1918. (See Seattle, Washington, City Directory, 1918, p. 829 and 1903.)

Partner, [Harlan] Thomas and Grainger, Architects, Seattle, WA, 1924-1926.

Partner, Thomas, Grainger and [Donald P.] Thomas, Architects, Seattle, WA, 1927-1942, 1946-1949. His office in 1942 was in Room #1280 of the Dexter Horton Building in Downtown Seattle. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation The National Archives At St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; Record Group Title: Records of the Selective Service System; Record Group Number: 147; Box or Roll Number: 72, accessed 01/05/2023.)

Associate, [Floyd] Naramore, Grainger and Thomas, Associated Architects, Seattle, WA, 1935-1937. This group of architects assembled to work on the Bagley Hall Chemistry and Pharmacy Building at the University of Washington;

Partner, Naramore, Grainger and [Perry] Johanson, Architects, Seattle, WA, 1942.

Partner, Johanson, [William, Sr.] Bain, [Clifton] Brady and Grainger, Architects, Seattle, WA, 1945-1946.

Partner, Grainger, [Donald P.] Thomas and [Edwin J.] Baar, Architects, Seattle, WA, 1949-1958. Grainger retired in 1957 and passed away in 1958. In 1955, Grainger, Thomas and Baar had an office in Room #6153 of the Arcade Building in Seattle.

Professional Activities

Grainger completed a 15-week course, Camouflage School, Camouflage Division, Office of Civilian Defense, University of Washington, 10-12/1942.

Member, American Institute of Architects (AIA), Washington Chapter.

President, Washington State Chapter of the American Institute of Architects, Seattle, WA, 1943-1945.

In a 1955 biographical profile, Grainger indicated that he was a Registered Architect in the State of Washington.

Education

College

B.S., Geology, University of Washington, Seattle (UW), Seattle, WA, 1910. At the UW, he was a member of the Tyee Yearbook Committee in his sophomore and junior years, as well as the Plug Committee in year 3. (See University of Washington Tyee Yearbook, 1909, p. 59.) He was a member of the Delta Chi Fraternity at UW. While at the UW, he had several months of military training (Company B of the 2nd Infantry) between at least 02/1908 and 06/08/1908, when he was discharged for an "inability to drill." (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Washington State Archives; Olympia, Washington; Military Records; Reference: AR82-2-0-9, accessed 01/05/2023.)

Personal

Relocation

Clyde Grainger was born in Chehalis, WA, on 08/10/1887. He spent his childhood living in Lewis and Pierce Counties of WA, before moving to Seattle to attend the University of Washington. Grainger changed habitations frequently during his early-to-middle adulthood within the city, although it is unclear as to why.

On 06/06/1900, 12-year-old Clyde Grainger lived with his family in Alderton, Pierce County, WA. At this time, Clyde's grandfather, John, (born 02/1819 in Ireland, arriving in the US in 1843) lived with the family. The household also included a servant in 1900, Anna Hardtke (born 10/1884 in Germany). (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1900; Census Place: Alderton, Pierce, Washington; Roll: 1748; Page: 2; Enumeration District: 0145; FHL microfilm: 1241748, accessed 01/05/2023.)

His entry in the University of Washington Tyee Yearbook, 1909, listed his family's place of residence as Sumner, WA. (See University of Washington Tyee Yearbook, 1909, p. 59.)

The 1910 Federal Census.taken on 04/20/1910 noted that Grainger had no job at the time and lived at 5224 19th Avenue NE in Seattle, WA, along with two other young men and a housekeeper. Grainger was still living in a residential neighborhood very close by to the UW, likely with other college students or recent graduates. He was the oldest student in the house, and the census taker listed him as the household's "head." (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1910; Census Place: Seattle Ward 10, King, Washington; Roll: T624_1661; Page: 10B; Enumeration District: 0181; FHL microfilm: 1375674, accessed 01/05/2023.)

The architect resided in Apartment #A5 at 229 1st Avenue North in Seattle in 1918. (See Seattle, Washington, City Directory, 1918, p. 829.)

in 1919-1920, Clyde and Clara lived at 6341 36th Avenue South in Seattle, where he worked as a draftsman in an architectural office. (See Seattle, Washington, City Directory, 1919, p. 818 and Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1920; Census Place: Seattle, King, Washington; Roll: T625_1931; Page: 8A; Enumeration District: 343, accessed 01/05/2023.) The Graingers relocated again to 7344 California Street in West Seattle and to 5407 41st Avenue SW in the same neighborhood a year later. (See Seattle, Washington, City Directory, 1921, p. 672 and Seattle, Washington, City Directory, 1922, p. 690.)

The 1930 US Census recorded Clyde, Clara and Robert Grainger as living at 4518 Wildwood Place. This house, valued at $10,000, was located in the Fauntleroy neighborhood of West Seattle. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1930; Census Place: Seattle, King, Washington; Page: 41A; Enumeration District: 0210; FHL microfilm: 2342238, accessed 01/05/2023.)

In 1932, Clyde and Clara dwelled at 3115 Cascadia Avenue in Seattle's Mount Baker neighborhood. (See Seattle, Washington, City Directory, 1932, p. 573.) A year later, the architect had his residence in Sumner, WA. (See Seattle, Washington, City Directory, 1933, p. 623.)

In 1940, the Graingers rented a residence at 2619 11th Avenue North in Seattle. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1940; Census Place: Seattle, King, Washington; Roll: m-t0627-04377; Page: 6A; Enumeration District: 40-133, accessed 01/05/2023.)

Grainger reported an address of 6546 52nd Avenue NE, Seattle, WA, in 1942, and continued to live here in 1955. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation The National Archives At St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; Record Group Title: Records of the Selective Service System; Record Group Number: 147; Box or Roll Number: 72, accessed 01/05/2023.) They remained at this address in Seattle's View Ridge neighborhood in 1950. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation United States of America, Bureau of the Census; Washington, D.C.; Seventeenth Census of the United States, 1950; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790-2007; Record Group Number: 29; Residence Date: 1950; Home in 1950: Seattle, King, Washington; Roll: 828; Sheet Number: 20; Enumeration District: 40-226, acceessed 01/05/2023.)

Grainger died on 06/21/1958 in Seattle.

Parents

His father was Robert T. Grainger (born 02/1857 in MO-d. 1922), a farmer in 1900. Robert Grainger's parents had come from Ireland.

Clyde's mother was Eliza L. Chambers (born 03/1857 in WA-d. 04/14/1921 in WA). Her father and mother originated in KY and IN. Robert and Eliza married on 03/03/1880 in Thurston County, WA. They had three children, only one of whom--Clyde--was alive in 1900.

In 1920, Robert and Eliza lived as retirees in Alderton, WA. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1920; Census Place: Aldeton, Pierce, Washington; Roll: T625_1935; Page: 4A; Enumeration District: 188, accessed 01/05/2023.)

Spouse

Grainger married Flora Clara Noble (born 10/08/1886 in MN-d. 11/01/1977 in Edmonds, WA) on 01/15/1913 in Tacoma, WA. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Washington State Archives; Olympia, Washington; Washington Marriage Records, 1854-2013; Reference Number: prcmc_v8_515-DA1, accessed 01/05/2023.) Her name was recorded as either "Flora Clara Noble" or "Clara Flora Noble." Her marriage certificate listed it as the former.

Both of Clara's parents were Canadians by birth. Her father John Nathaniel Noble (born 01/10/1851 in Waterloo, ON-d. 08/12/1929 in Bellingham, WA), worked as a contractor in Saint Paul, MN, according to the Minnesota State Census of 1895. The Noble Family relocated to New Whatcom, WA, by 1900, where John continued work as a contractor and builder. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1900; Census Place: New Whatcom, Whatcom, Washington; Roll: 1753; Page: 18; Enumeration District: 0244; FHL microfilm: 1241753, accessed 01/05/2023.)

Her mother was Eva Helen Allison (born 03/20/1858 in Marysville, ON-d. 03/09/1901 in Bellingham, WA). She managed the household that included seven children, nly six of whom survived at the turn of the century. (See Ancestry.com, Source Information Ancestry.com. Minnesota, U.S., Territorial and State Censuses, 1849-1905 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007, accessed 01/05/2023.)

The 1940 US Census indicated that Clara was a high school graduate.

Children

In a 1955 biographical profile, Grainger reported having had one child, Robert Noble Grainger (born 06/28/1922 in Seattle, WA-d. 11/12/2007 in Bellingham, WA). Robert would marry a professional cellist for the Seattle Symphony, Marjorie Ruth Harris (born 01/18/1924-d. 03/22/2014 in Bellingham, WA) on 12/17/1945 in Seattle, WA. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Washington State Archives; Olympia, Washington; Washington Marriage Records, 1854-2013; Reference Number: kingcoarchmcvol148_97, accessed 01/05/2023.) Their son Bruce Grainger (born 03/30/1954 in Seattle, WA-d. 05//14/1996) would become a bassoonist for the Chicago Symphony.

According to Washington State birth records, however, Clyde and Cora Grainger had a daughter on 01/31/1914. (Washington State birth records listed this child as being female. See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Washington State Archives; Olympia, Washington; Washington Births, 1891-1919; Film Info: Various county birth registers. Microfilm, accessed 01/05/2023.) The 1920 US Census did not list a child living with them, suggesting, perhaps, that his daughter had died by that time.

Biographical Notes

Grainger reported his birthplace as Chehalis, WA, on his World War I Draft Registration Card, written in 1917; this card also indicated his height and build to have been medium, with grey eyes and brown hair. On 04/26/1942, Grainger's World War II draft registration card listed him as being Caucasian with a ruddy complexion, blue eyes and gray hair. He stood 5-feet, 7-inches tall and weighed 152 pounds.

The University of Washington Tyee Yearbook, 1910, (p. 51), listed his middle initial as "E."

Donald Thomas was listed as Grainger's next-of-kin contact on his 1942 draft card. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation The National Archives At St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; Record Group Title: Records of the Selective Service System; Record Group Number: 147; Box or Roll Number: 72, accessed 01/05/2023.)



Associated Locations

  • Chehalis, WA (Architect's Birth)
    Chehalis, WA

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    Lewis County;

  • Seattle, WA (Architect's Death)
    Seattle, WA


PCAD id: 2255