Résumé

Apprentice mechanic, New Ulm, MN, 1880.

Draftsman, Herman Preusse, Architect, Spokane, WA, 1889.

Principal, Albert Held, Architect, Spokane, WA, c. 1889-1890.

Partner, Held and Zittel, Architects, Spokane, WA, c. 1890- .

Principal, Albert Held, Architect, Spokane, WA, c. 1902- . In 1902, Held maintained his offices in Rooms #506-508 in the Hyde Building, Spokane. (See R.L. Polk and Company's Spokane Directory, 1902, p. 857.) By 1913, the architect rented office space in Spokane's Realty Building. (See Who’s Who on the Pacific Coast, 1913, Franklin Harper, ed., [Los Angeles, Harper Publishing Company, 1913,], p. 263.)

Professional Activities

In 1890, the Spokane Falls School Board put out a request for architects to bid on a new school commission. The school could not exceed $100,000 in cost, and five firms, four from Spokane and one from Seattle, responded, most with bids of about $80,000. The firms responding were: Worthy Niver, Cutter and Poetz, Held and Zittlee, C.F. Helmle, all of Spokane, and Jennings and Wickersham of Seattle. (See "Bids for Bonds," Spokane Falls Daily Chronicle, 06/07/1890, p. 8.)

Member, Architectural Association, Spokane, WA, c. 1906.

Member, American Institute of Architects, Washington Chapter, 1913- . A 1913 note in the Journal of the American Institute of Architects communicated Held's election to membership: “The following candidate (having been declared elected by the Board of Directors, January 15, 1913, subject to ballot, which was counted February 18, 1913 and resulted favorably, having previously received the approval of the Board of Examiners, and privileged communications having been duly been issued), was duly elected a Member of the American Institute of Architects, February 18, 1913: Albert Held, Spokane, Wash. (See “Institute Business,” Journal of the American Institute of Architects, vol. 1, no. 4, 04/1913, p. 168.)

Member, City of Spokane, Board of Park Commissioners, Spokane, WA, c. 1913.

Member, Exchange National Bank, Board of Directors, Spokane, WA, c. 1913.

High School / College

The book, Sketches of Washingtonians, (Seattle, WA: Wellington C. Wolfe and Company, 1906), noted: "[Held] received his education in the public schools of that state [Minnesota], after which he took up the study of architecture in St. Paul and later studied at the Minnesota University in Minneapolis."

The volume Who's Who on the Pacific Coast, 1913, indicated that Held was educated at the “…common schools of New Ulm, Minn.; State Univ. at Minneapolis.” (See Who’s Who on the Pacific Coast, 1913, Franklin Harper, ed., [Los Angeles, Harper Publishing Company, 1913,], p. 263.)

Relocation

Born in New Ulm, MN, Albert Held spent his first twenty-three years in this heavily German-American town. Euro-American settlement of New Ulm began in 1854, when the German Land Company of Chicago, IL, purchased property in the area, and was reinforced two years later, when the Turner Settlement Society of Cincinnati established a colony here. Founded in Germany, the Turners, or Turnverein in German, became a liberal social movement in the US that advocated physical exercise (notably gymnastics) and the development of the mind through education and lectures. The Turnverein established chapters in most major American cities, including on the West Coast, and became a leading social and charitable group for German-Americans well into the twentieth century. (In their advocacy of lectures to enhance adult education, the Turners paralleled the American Lyceum Movement during the 1830-1860 period and presaged the later Chautaqua Movement.) As result of these settlement roots, New Ulm, named for city of Neu-Ulm in Bavaria, became a center of German culture in MN, and the home to various industries, most notably brewing. One of the members of the Cincinnati Turners group, August Schell (1828-1891), moved here in the mid-1850s and founded his August Schell Brewing Company in 1860.

According to the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation.gov: "The town of New Ulm was incorporated in 1857. It was nearly overrun in the Dakota Conflict of 1862, and a few of its buildings served as refuge for residents and nearby settlers who held the city. New Ulm quickly rebounded and was named the Brown County seat in 1887. During the 1870s, four main industries grew to become the base of New Ulm’s economy. Flour, beer, cigars, and bricks were crucial to the economy of the community for the next half-century." (See Advisory Council on Historic Preservation.gov, "New Ulm, Minnesota," accessed 01/21/2022.)

In 1870, his father, also named "Albert Held," worked as a carpenter. He owned real estate worth about $1,500 and had savings of about $180. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1870; Census Place: New Ulm, Brown, Minnesota; Roll: T132_1; Page: 1050, accessed 01/24/2022.) His family resided on Broadway in New Ulm in 1880, and five years later, his name appeared in the Minnesota State Census. The 1880 US Census indicated that Held worked as an "apprentice mechanic," perhaps working with his father, perhaps not. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1880; Census Place: New Ulm, Brown, Minnesota; Roll: 616; Page: 17A; Enumeration District: 021, accessed 01/21/2022 and 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 01/21/2022.)

He came to Spokane, WA, in 1889, and lived the rest of his life there. In 1890, he lived in a boarding house at 326 East Riverside Avenue.

According to the 1910 US Census, Held lived at that time at 416 River Avenue in Spokane's W3 Carlisle census precinct. Held and his wife resided with her mother, Melinda, and were prosperous enough to afford two servants, a maid, Annie Levengood (born c. 1872 in MD), and gardener, John Hehmann (born c. 1867 in Germany). (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1910; Census Place: Spokane Ward 3, Spokane, Washington; Roll: T624_1670; Page: 7B; Enumeration District: 0174; FHL microfilm: 1375683, accessed 01/24/2022.)

He resided at 364 Coeur d'Alene Street in Spokane between 1913 and 1920, at least. In the latter year, he and his wife had one household servant, Mary Samson (born c. 1880 in England), who had recently immigrated to the US in 1911. Kate's mother Melinda continued to reside in the house. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1920; Census Place: Spokane, Spokane, Washington; Roll: T625_1941; Page: 5B; Enumeration District: 193, accessed 01/24/2022.)

The architect suffered from bladder cancer for about one year, 06/1923 through 06/1924, when he was treated at the Portland Surgical Hospital. He died of cancer and "secondary anemia" in Portland, OR, on 06/28/1924. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Oregon State Archives; Salem, Oregon; Oregon, Death Records, 1864-1967, accessed 01/24/2022.) He was buried at Greenwood Memorial Terrace in Spokane, WA.

Parents

His father was Christian Albert Held (born 04/09/1839 in Cannstatt, Baden-Württemberg, Germany-d. 02/27/1918 in New Ulm, MN), known to most as "Albert Held." The town of Cannstatt, named for a hilltop Roman fort built in 90 A.D., was an outer city borough of Stuttgart. Like many German-American residents of New Ulm, both the architect's father and mother came from the state of Baden-Württemberg in southwestern Germany. The cities of Ulm (in Baden-Württemberg) and Neu-Ulm, (in Bavaria) lay on either side of the Danube River. the boundary between the two states. His parents wed on 07/05/1864 in New Ulm. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Minnesota Association of County Officers; Saint Paul, Minnesota; Minnesota Official Marriage System, accessed 01/21/2022.)

During his adult life, Albert Held the elder worked as both a carpenter and joiner, helping to build the growing town of New Ulm, MN. The 1900 US Census indicated that Christian Albert Held immigrated to the US in 1853, and that he had been naturalized before that time. This census data may not have been completely accurate, however. It is known that Christian Albert Held did apply to leave Baden-Württemberg in 09/1854, he participated in the US-Dakota War in New Ulm in 1862 and he did reside in New Ulm by at least 1863, when Civil War draft registration records placed him there. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1900; Census Place: New Ulm Ward 3, Brown, Minnesota; Page: 9; Enumeration District: 0045; FHL microfilm: 1240758, accessed 01/21/2022 and Ancestry.com, Source Citation National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Washington, D.C.; Consolidated Lists of Civil War Draft Registration Records (Provost Marshal General's Bureau; Consolidated Enrollment Lists, 1863-1865); Record Group: 110, Records of the Provost Marshal General's Bureau (Civil War); Collection Name: Consolidated Enrollment Lists, 1863-1865 (Civil War Union Draft Records); NAI: 4213514; Archive Volume Number: 1 of 3, accessed 01/21/2022 and Ancestry.com, Source Information Ancestry.com. Württemberg, Germany Emigration Index [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 1997. Original data: Schenk, Trudy. Württemberg Emigration Index. Vol. I-VIII. Salt Lake City, UT, USA: Ancestry, Inc., 1986, accessed 01/21/2022.)

His obituary stated: “He came to this country with his parents when he was fourteen years old and the family first located in New York. Here they remained five years. After the death of the father, the family came to Chicago. In 1858, Mr. Held came to New Ulm with his brother, returning, however to Chicago. About a year later he came again and since then he has lived here continuously.” This obituary added,"He was a carpenter by trade and built the first four residences on North Franklin St. He always took an interest in the welfare of the city and was a member of the first fire company tht New Ulm ever had." Hed died from the complications of a stroke at 79. (See Find A Grave.com, “Albert Held,” which featured the “Obituary: Albert Held,” from the New Ulm Review, 03/06/1918.)

His mother was Christina Stupp (born 12/18/1839 in Waldangelloch, Baden-Württemberg, Germany-d. 07/22/1909 in New Ulm, MN). Her name was recorded variously as "Christina" or "Christine" and her last name as both "Stupp" or "Strupp," although the former is more likely correct. She came to the US in 1857, according to the 1900 US Census, although her obituary stated that she “…came to America in 1863 making Chicago her first stopping place. In 1864 she came to New Ulm and was married in the same year to Albert Held….” (See Find A Grave.com, “Christina Stupp Held,” which featured the “Obituary: Christine Held,” from the New Ulm Review, 07/23/1909.) The 1900 Census indicated that she had had twelve children during her life, of whom only six survived in 1900. She passed away from an illness that progressed between 04/1909 and 07/1909, with all of her children returning for her funeral. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1900; Census Place: New Ulm Ward 3, Brown, Minnesota; Page: 9; Enumeration District: 0045; FHL microfilm: 1240758, accessed 01/21/2022.)

In 1880, she managed the Held household and supervised her seven children. They included: Bertha Held Gebhardt (born 1865 in New Ulm, MN-d. 1948 in WI), Henry Held (born c. 12/1868 in New Ulm, MN-d. 06/15/1942 in Brown County, MN), Louise Held (born c. 1871 in MN-d. 07/08/1885 in New Ulm, MN), Otto Held (born c. 02/1874 in New Ulm, MN-d. 04/20/1944 in Spokane, WA) and Herrmann Held (born 07/23/1875 in New Ulm, MN-d. 10/26/1953 in Mankato, MN). Another sister, Mathilda Held Dougher (born 05/25/1866 in New Ulm, MN-d. 03/28/1959 in Ramsey Ocunty, MN), had left the Held household before 1885, as per the 1885 Minnesota State Census. (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 01/21/2022.)

Both Otto and Hermann worked as book dealers in New Ulm, MN, by 1900. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1900; Census Place: New Ulm Ward 3, Brown, Minnesota; Page: 9; Enumeration District: 0045; FHL microfilm: 1240758, accessed 01/21/2022.)

Spouse

Albert Held married Kate C. Benham Logan (born c. 1857 in Constantine, MI), on 10/14/1903 in Spokane, WA. When they wed, this was the bride's third marriage and the groom's first. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Washington State Archives; Olympia, Washington; Washington Marriage Records, 1854-2013; Reference Number: easpmr5321, accessed 01/21/2022.)

Kate's parents were Theodore I. Benham (born c. 1837 in NY), a master stone mason, and Melinda C. Roe lived (born c. 1838 in NY). The Benhams moved frequenlty during Kate's lifetime. She was born in MI, and resided in Leonidas, MI, in 1860, OR during the early 1860s, Reno, NV, in 1870 and Kern County, CA, by 1876. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation California State Library; Sacramento, California; Great Registers, 1866-1898; Collection Number: 4-2A; CSL Roll Number: 16; FHL Roll Number: 976467, accessed 01/24/2022.)

Kate was the eldest of three children. She had a younger brother named either Frank or Milton (born c. 1860 in MI) and a sister Mabel (born c. 1863 in OR).

As an elderly widow, Melinda lived with Albert and Kate Held in Spokane between 1910 and 1920. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1910; Census Place: Spokane Ward 3, Spokane, Washington; Roll: T624_1670; Page: 7B; Enumeration District: 0174; FHL microfilm: 1375683, accessed 01/24/2022 and Ancestry.com, Source Citation Year: 1920; Census Place: Spokane, Spokane, Washington; Roll: T625_1941; Page: 5B; Enumeration District: 193, accessed 01/24/2022.)

The Benhams lived

Biographical Notes

At age 44, a U.S. Passport application of 10/04/1910 described him as standing 5 feet 7 3/4 inches tall, with a ruddy Caucasian complexion, blue eyes, 'straight nose," "full face and chin," "medium forehead, and dark brown hair. He intended to travel abroad and return "within one year." (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Washington D.C.; Roll #: 122; Volume #: Roll 0122 - Certificates: 38871-39743, 04 Oct 1910-31 Oct 1910 Source Information: U.S., Passport Applications, 1795-1925 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2007, accessed 01/24/2022.)

Member, International Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF), Spokane, WA.

Member, Spokane Amateur Athletic Club, Spokane, WA.

Member, Spokane Chamber of Commerce, Spokane, WA.

Member, Spokane Club, Spokane, WA.

• New Ulm, MN (Architect's Birth)
  New Ulm, MN

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• Portland, OR (Architect's Death)
  Portland, OR

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