David Thomas Denny (1832-1903) was the first member of the Denny Party (led by his older brother Arthur) to arrive in the future city of Seattle in 1851. He staked a claim to the future site of Seattle Center and in 1853 married fellow pioneer Louisa Boren (1827-1916). Denny pursued a diverse career as a community leader, capitalist, streetcar operator, and developer until he lost his fortune in the Panic of 1893. Denny died in near poverty in 1903 and was buried in the family plot in today's Evergreen Washelli Cemetery.
Handwritten on recto: David Thomas Denny Handwritten on verso: David Thomas Denny. One of the founders of Seattle who landed with Lee Terry and John W. Low at Alki, Sept. 25, 1851. On Seattle School Board, 1867-1871.
Caption by Walt Crowley, "Denny, David Thomas (1832-1903)," HistoryLink.org Essay 1729
ID Number: 1952.986.47
Date: Circa 1890
Physical Description: 1 photographic print : b&w ; 9.25 x 12.5 in.
Additional Information: Digital copy of this item available thanks to funding from a 2016 Institute for Museum and Library Services grant. Metadata updated as part of a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services administered by the Library Services and Technology Act, through the Washington State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State.
Credit: MOHAI, Sophie Frye Bass Collection of Northwest Americana, 1952.986.47
