Luther Burns Youngs (1858-1923) came from Kentucky to Seattle in 1883. A carpenter by trade, he started a construction business that became quickly profitable in Seattle's booming population. According to Seattle city directories, there were 3,553 residents in 1880 and 43,835 residents in 1890. Already serving as a member of the Board of Public Works, Mr. Youngs was appointed superintendent of the Seattle Light and Water Department (now Seattle Public Utilities) in 1895, a position he held until his death. Under his administration the Cedar River watershed system was planned and installed, and is still used by the City of Seattle to provide drinking water to the greater Seattle area.
The business card pictured here is for Youngs Bros., Contractors, Builders, and Superintendents, and lists L. B. Youngs and C. F. Youngs. Charles Forrest Youngs (1868-1945) and another brother, John Emmett Youngs (b. 1883), both joined Luther in Seattle, and both later worked for the Seattle Light and Water Department. Charles was a foreman with the Seattle Water Department, and after the department split from Seattle City Light, John worked as an electrician.
Caption information source: "L. B.Youngs Buried," The Seattle Daily Times, June 14, 1923, p. 2 Caption information source: "Seattle residents receive Cedar River water for the first time on January 10, 1901," by Kit Oldham, HistoryLink.org Essay 10945
ID Number: 1969.5072.103
Date: Circa 1890
Physical Description: 1 business card ; 4.5 x 2.75 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. View the finding aid for this collection at https://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:80444/xv73724
Credit: MOHAI, Lawrence Denny Lindsley Photographs, 1969.5072.103
