Edward Huggins

Edward Huggins (June 10, 1832 – January 24, 1907) was a Hudson's Bay Company clerk, Pierce County commissioner, Pierce County auditor, and historian of the Northwestern United States. The Fort Nisqually Living History Museum has a collection of items related to Huggins. He was born in London, England, June 10, 1832, and by the time he was fifteen had signed on with the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC). He was sent to the Columbia Department in 1849, arriving at Fort Nisqually by way of Fort Victoria, April 13, 1850. Here stayed there for the duration of his time in the HBC, serving the company as a clerk for 22 years and eventually becoming proprietor of Fort Nisqually from 1859 to 1869. After the fort closed, he became an American citizen and claimed the land the Fort stood on to establish a farm. He was employed as a school teacher and became active in local politics. He served on the Pierce County Board of Commissioners from 1876 through 1880. In his second term, he was named chairman of the board. Huggins was re-elected to the board in 1884 and served as board chairman until 1886 when he was elected auditor, a position he held for four years. After political service, he served on the board of the Washington State Historical Society and was vice president of the National Bank of Commerce of Tacoma. Early life Edward Huggins was born in Southwark, London, to Edward and Ellen (Chipp) Huggins. After receiving an education at Queen Elizabeths Grammar school now St Olaves Free Government school, he was employed at a firm not far from Beaver House, the Hudson's Bay Company Headquarters. He joined the company in 1849 as a settler bound for Vancouver Island and sailed for America in October of that year aboard the Norman Morrison. The settlement venture was abandoned when he arrived and Governor, Sir James Douglas sent him to Fort Nisqually where he would serve in the capacity of a clerk.