author
Ithamar M. (Ithamar Martindale) Howell
1866–1920
Best known as Washington’s secretary of state in the early 1900s, he also wrote a detailed snapshot of the state’s resources and industries at a moment of rapid growth. His work captures both a public servant’s viewpoint and a booster-era vision of the Pacific Northwest.
1 Audiobook
A Review of the Resources and Industries of the State of Washington, 1909
by Ithamar M. (Ithamar Martindale) Howell
About the author
Born in Waukon, Iowa, in 1866, he moved with his family to Washington Territory in 1877 and later became active in business and public life in the Puget Sound region. He is remembered chiefly as Ithamar Martindale Howell, an American politician who served as the 5th Secretary of State of Washington, holding the office from May 1, 1909, until his death on July 13, 1920.
As an author, Howell is associated with A Review of the Resources and Industries of the State of Washington, 1909. The book reflects his role in state government and his interest in presenting Washington’s agriculture, industry, and economic promise to a wider audience. Today, it offers readers a revealing period portrait of how the state wanted to describe itself in the early twentieth century.
His writing is especially interesting for listeners who enjoy local history, regional development, and firsthand documents from the American West. Even when written for practical purposes, it preserves the ambitions, language, and civic pride of its time.