This photograph shows Chin Yook-Nui (circa 1865-1946), the wife of prominent Chinese-American community leader, diplomat, and businessperson Goon Dip (circa 1862 -1933). Chin and Goon married in China in the late 1870s. At that time, Goon had previously lived in Portland, Oregon but returned to China for a few years. He moved back to Portland some time before 1882. Some time later, Chin joined him in Portland. The law at the time did not allow Chinese immigration but exceptions were made for the wives of prominent businessmen. During Goon’s second stint in Portland he met Ella McBride, who later became a well-known photographer. She helped him learn English and adapt to life in the US. Goon and Chin later named their eldest daughter after Ella. Goon was an honorary Chinese consul during the AYP Exposition in 1909 and was made an official consul after the expo ended. He owned several hotels in Seattle and Portland and later went into the mining business in Alaska.

This portrait of Chin Yook-Nui was taken at Ella McBride’s photography studio in Seattle around 1925.

Caption information source: "Goon Dip (ca. 1862-1933)", by Frank Chelsey, HistoryLink, retrieved from https://www.historylink.org/File/9026.