Goon Dip (circa 1862-1933), one of the most influential Chinese people in the history of Washington state, worked his way up from poverty to become a wealthy merchant and successful labor contractor who provided employment in the canneries for hundreds of Chinese immigrants. He served as China’s honorary consul to Washington State and Alaska. He also built the Milwaukee Hotel in 1909 to house tourists visiting Seattle’s Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition.
In this image Goon Dip and his family pose for a portrait wearing traditional Chinese costumes. According to the Chinese in Northwest America Research Committee (CINARC), Dip and his wife, Chin Yook-Nui, both wear official necklaces and surcoats with rank badges of the fourth grade of non-military Imperial officials. Mr. Goon is also wearing a dragon robe beneath his surcoat. The individuals are identified from left as: Lillian Goon, Martha Goon, Chin Yook-Nui, Dip Goon, Rosaline Goon, Daniel Goon, and Ella Goon.
Caption information source: http://www.cinarc.org/Merchant-Kings.html Caption information source: "Goon Dip (ca. 1862-1933)," by Frank Chesley, HistoryLink.org Essay 9026
ID Number: 1982.4.1
Date: Circa 1910
Physical Description: 1 copy negative : b&w ; 4 x 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.
