Résumé

Frank Biles was listed in the 1900 US Census as an "architect" and in 1910 as a "lather." He probably learned carpentry working with his father, and switched back and forth between contracting and architecture for his whole career. Carpentry Foreman, US Government, Olympia, WA, c. 1920. Principal, Frank E. Biles, Building Contractor, Seattle, WA, c. 1930. Principal, Frank E. Biles, Architect, Seattle, WA, 1931. (Biles was listed in the Seattle City Directory, 1931, as an architect.)

Relocation

Frank E. Biles was born in the Washington Territory in 1869. The Washington Territorial Census of 1870 and 1873 indicated that the Biles Family had relocated to Thurston County, having come from the South. His father, born in 1840 in MS, likely saw action in the Civil War on the Confederate side. The family was also listed in subsequent 1875 and 1879 Washington Territorial Censuses living in Thurston County.

Frank and his parents remained in the Olympia area well into the 20th century. He lived with his parents in Olympia in 1900 and 1910, residing in the former year at 1404 Main Street and in the latter, 212 14th Street. (See Source Citation: Year: 1900; Census Place: Olympia, Thurston, Washington; Roll: 1752; Page: 15B; Enumeration District: 0228; FHL microfilm: 1241752, accessed 10/08/2015 and Source Citation: Year: 1910; Census Place: Olympia Ward 5, Thurston, Washington; Roll: T624_1672; Page: 5A; Enumeration District: 0307; FHL microfilm: 1375685, accessed 10/08/2015.)

Frank E. Biles worked as a US Government Carpentry Foreman in Olympia, WA, in 1920. He resided with his mother, Phoebe, who was widowed, in a house the family owned at 212 East 14th Street in Olympia. (See Ancestry.com, Source Citation: Year: 1920; Census Place: Olympia Ward 5, Thurston, Washington; Roll: T625_1942; Page: 11A; Enumeration District: 386; Image: 892, accessed 10/08/2015.)

In 1930, he and his wife, Adelaide, paid $45 per month to reside in rented quarters at 306 East Olive Way in Seattle, WA. His occupation at this time was listed in the US Census as a "builder." (See Ancestry.com Source Citation: Year: 1930; Census Place: Seattle, King, Washington; Roll: 2498; Page: 4A; Enumeration District: 0119; Image: 786.0; FHL microfilm: 2342232,accessed 10/08/2015.)

Parents

His mother was Phebe Louise Crosby Biles (born 1849 in MA-died 1925 in WA), his father, George Wiley Biles (born 1840 in MS-died 1912 in WA). Phoebe's Crosby line had roots in MA. The 1873 Washington Territorial Census indicated that George Biles worked as a tanner and that the family had had three children, a daughter, Essie (born 1865 in the Washington Territory-died 1877), Frank, and Frederick H. (born c. 1870 in the Washington Territory-died 1926). (See 1873 Source Information Ancestry.com. Washington State and Territorial Censuses, 1857-1892 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006, accessed 10/08/2015.)

The 1875 and 1879 Territorial Censuses corroborated these facts, although Essie died in 1877. During these years, George Biles lived nearby to J.B. Biles (born c. 1840 in MS), also a tanner, and Clark Biles (born c. 1849 in KY) , who was identified in the 1875 census as a currier. (See 1875 Source Information Ancestry.com. Washington State and Territorial Censuses, 1857-1892 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006, accessed 10/08/2015.) Frank Biles descended from a family that had developed a specialty in leather working.

By 1900 if not earlier, George Biles had switched occupations, becoming a woodworking contractor. Factory-produced leather goods probably had stolen George's livelihood as a tanner, and forced him to make a career change. The 1910 US Census listed George as a "Contractor/Carpenter" and Frank as a "Lather," someone who constructs lath and plaster walls.

Spouse

Frank Biles married Adelaide K. Burntager (born 1868 in IL-died 1962 in WA) late in life, c. 1930. Her father came from IN, her mother PA. In 1930, She first married a physician, John A. Hamilton on 09/14/1902 in Steilacoom, WA, but he died of an accidental gunshot in AK in 08/1914. (See Ancestry.com, Source InformationDirectory of Deceased American Physicians, 1804-1929 [database on-line],accessed 10/08/2015.)

Adelaide worked as a teacher in Seattle and outlived Frank by 27 years. She was buried in the same cemetery has he was, Masonic Memorial Park in Tumwater, WA.