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Death of fmr State Sen. Nathaniel "Nat" Washington (D-WA)
Sen. Washington died on August 18, 2007 in Bellingham,WA.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/political-graveyard/message/8737
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Nat Washington, related to George Washington, dies in WA
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
BELLINGHAM, Wash. -- Former state Sen. Nathaniel "Nat" Washington, a distant relative of the nation's first president who found a way to finance two major hydroelectric projects on the Columbia River, is dead at 93.
Washington, a Democrat who spent 30 years in the Legislature and worked across party lines to win funds for farm-to-market roads in his central Washington district, died after a brief illness Aug. 18 in Bellingham, where he resided for the past two years, his son, Tom F. Washington of Kirkland, confirmed on Wednesday.
A direct descendant of George Washington's brother John, Nat Washington treasured the family connection and worked to debunk the stuffy reputation of the first U.S. president.
In addition to politics and practicing law, he taught archaeology and political science at Gonzaga University in Spokane and made himself an expert in Grant County history, interviewing tribal elders on their memories of growing up before reservations were established.
His father, also named Nathaniel, and grandfather left Virginia in 1908 to homestead along the Columbia River. His father later became Grant County prosecutor.
Washington was elected student body president at the University of Washington, where he also earned a law degree before returning to Ephrata and winning election as county prosecutor. He later served a two-year term in the state House and seven terms in the state Senate, retiring from the Legislature in 1979.
In 1947 Washington and law partner Jim Wickwire became attorneys for the Grant County Public Utilities District. By the early 1950s he had assumed a principal role in finding a way to finance the Wanapum and Priest Rapids dams on the Columbia River.
To sell construction bonds at a favorable rate, Washington arranged for the PUD to rely on the financial strength and credit worthiness of other utilities that contracted to purchase electricity generated at the dams. Next he fought off a competing state application for both sites in a case that went to the state Supreme Court.
"You take out the PUD from Grant County and we wouldn't have anything here," Ephrata City Administrator Wes Crago said. "Just about all of us owe a lot to our forefathers at the PUD, and Nat was one of those primary leaders of the PUD at that time."
Other survivors include son Nat Jr. of Bellingham, sister Glenora of Las Cruces, N.M., 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. A memorial service is scheduled Saturday at Ephrata High School.
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Star of the Grand Coulee
"The Conscience of the Senate"
The Legacy of Nat Washington
By: 08/30/2007
Nathaniel "Nat" Washington, former state senator and a driving force in the building of Priest Rapids and Wanapum dams, died Saturday, Aug. 18,2007, after a brief illness. He was 93.
Descendants of the George Washington family, Nat's father and grandfather left Virginia in 1908 to homestead along the Columbia River. Nat's father, also Nathaniel, practiced law in Ephrata and became prosecuting attorney for Grant County.
As early as 1895 people had dreamed of building a dam on the Columbia, with a likely spot sitting just two miles from the edge of their ranch. Nat's father shared that dream and in 1921 was elected president of the Columbia Dam, Power, and Irrigation Association. He worked closely with such men as James O'Sullivan, Rufus Woods, Gale Matthews, Frank Bell, Billy Clapp, and other "Sagebrush Pumpers" to convince Congress to build what became the Grand Coulee Dam.
The younger Nat spent summers on the ranch and often swam in the Columbia River behind a large sand bar that provided safety. Nat's defining moment came in 1926 when at age 12, while the family was enjoying a hot summer day on the river, a terrible tragedy occurred in which his father, aunt, and uncle all were drowned.
Nat was resilient. Through adversity he built a life of achievement. He and Vern Matthews became the first Eagle Scouts in Grant County (1932). As a high school senior he was captain of the football and basketball teams and student body president.
He enrolled at the University of Washington. Money was tight and only the annual gift of a benefactor enabled him to attend. This generosity had a major impact on him and his lifelong mission to better the lives of others. Nat was active on campus and won election as student body president by gaining the support of key groups, an early indication of his understanding of politics.
Nat next attended the University of Washington law school. As he was about to graduate, the Democratic Party asked him to run for Grant County prosecuting attorney, the position held earlier by his father. He accepted the offer, despite the rigors of simultaneously studying and campaigning. He garnered the most votes but was disqualified from serving because he had failed to pass the bar exam. Ever resilient, he buckled down to study for the next bar exam and achieved one of the two top scores in the state. He also went on to become Grant County's prosecuting attorney.
Nat had joined ROTC in college and went on active duty in the air force shortly after Pearl Harbor. He served five years, achieving the rank of lieutenant colonel. After V-E Day he served as a judge advocate in Germany.
During the war, Nat was initially stationed in Tucson, where he met Wanda Wells, a charming and beautiful young lady. After turning down the young officer for a second date, Wanda reconsidered, and became his devoted wife and partner of 56 years.
In 1948 Nat was elected to the Washington State legislature. After a single term in the house, he was elevated to the senate, and reelected six times. He was popular with farmers and business people alike because he listened to them and fought for legislation based solely on its benefits for his constituents and state.
He formed an alliance with Bill Raugust, an Odessa Republican. The two legislators, though from different parties and philosophies, found common ground and passed major legislation. They co-authored 58 measures that became law, a record for bi-partisanship that probably still stands today and a practice sadly lost.
One of their major collaborations resulted in a bill that funded the construction of hundreds of miles of farm-to-market roads, as irrigation caused the Columbia Basin to blossom. The poor rural counties were able to sell bonds that were redeemed by increased gas tax revenue from the State-a classic win-win situation. Nat retired from the senate in 1979, after three decades of service. He was then appointed director of the Pollution Control Hearings Board and the Shoreline Hearings Board by Governor Dixie Lee Ray and served for four years.
In 1947 Nat and his law partner Jim Wickwire became attorneys for Grant County PUD. He knew there were two excellent sites for dams on the Columbia where the PUD had the authority and ability to build. By 1955 he had played a principal role in the development of a strategy by which the PUD could use the financial strength and credit worthiness of the big utilities who would contract to purchase power from the PUD. This enabled the PUD to sell bonds at a favorable rate, making construction of two dams not only feasible, but also financially sound.
The PUD commissioners passed a resolution to construct Priest Rapids Dam in 1952 and applied to the Federal Power Commission for the appropriate permit. In 1954 the State Power Commission filed a competing application for the same project. They scoffed at Grant County's ability to construct major dams. The fight went all the way to the State Supreme Court where Nat successfully argued the case. Six years later Grant PUD was supplying power throughout the West. In recognition of his many contributions to public power, Nat received the 2001 Henwood Award from the National Hydropower Association, the industry's most prestigious award.
One of his great joys was hiking around the Grand Coulee region, searching for ancient Indian campsites. As an amateur archeologist, he learned how to catalog sites, information he presented to professional archeologists. He guided archeologists from state universities on scouting trips to identify which sites should be scientifically excavated. The results added significantly to the understanding of Native American history. One of his favorite activities in later life was teaching Indian lore to hundreds of Ephrata school children and showing them how to dig the roots that sustained the tribes. Nat also maintained friendships with tribal leaders from the Wanapum and other tribes for more than 45 years.
Among the many honors Nat received during his lifetime was the dedication of the Bledsoe-Washington Archives Building on the Central Washington University campus, and Nat Washington Way in Ephrata. He was long recognized for his critical role in building a state highway system that was among the best and safest in the nation.
College presidents from throughout the state expressed their gratitude for his efforts to keep their schools well funded and competitive.
He valued his family connection to George Washington and worked to humanize the stodgy reputation of our nation's first president. He taught archeology and political science at Gonzaga University. Along with Mabel Thompson and others, he became one of the "go to" people on Grant County history. He was ever ready to learn things from others and maintained active dialogues with black activists and antiwar radicals in the '60s and '70s.
A life of service was crucial to Nat. Faith was essential as well. An agnostic into his mid-30s, he shared with his wife, Wanda, the desire for a more spiritual life. Her gentle guiding brought him the same peace and satisfaction that he observed in her. In a political world it was not easy to give his life completely to God, but he did. He was quiet, but solid in his faith.
Nat gained the trust and respect of just about everyone he met, even if they didn't always share his political beliefs. A longtime political writer called him, "the conscience of the Senate." In a poll of his legislative colleagues in 1978, Nat was recognized as one of two legislators with "the highest reputation for personal integrity."
Nat is admired for his accomplishments but loved for his humble, lift-others-up, never complain way. He was kind, generous, a true gentleman, always seeking the good in everyone and every situation, always ready to listen and help, and ever cheerful. He loved the vast blue sky of eastern Washington, but on cloudy days he'd search and find the one little patch of blue, and, even when the clouds obscured the blue altogether he'd say, "Well, the sun is shining somewhere."
He is survived by two sons, Nat Jr. (Donna) of Bellingham and Tom (Lois) of Kirkland, and sister Glenora of Las Cruces, New Mexico, as well as 11 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Wanda and sister Roberta.
A memorial service will be held in Ephrata, at 1:00 pm on Saturday, September 8 at the Ephrata High School, 333 Fourth Avenue NW. Anyone with a recollection or an interesting story about Nat, is asked to share it by email and it will be posted on a website that is being built.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/political-graveyard/message/8737
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ALMIRA CEMETERY
Washington : “Nat W Washington, prosecuting attorney of
Washington, Peachy Ryland; d. 7-10-1926, age 42, drowning; burial S-61.
Washington, James C; d. 7-10-1926, age 43, drowning; burial S-61.
Washington, Gladys F; d. 6-17-1969, age 79; burial S-29.
Washington, Janet Fairleigh; d. 1911, age 43; burial S-61.
Washington, Hanna Lee; d. 1917; age 46; burial S-61.
Washington, Emma W; d. 1930, age 87; burial S-61.
http://www.wagenweb.org/lincoln/obitsalmiracemtthruz.htm
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Washington, Bushrod C., b. 1839, d. 24 Feb 1919, age: 80yr, Civil War (Conf), Army of
Virginia, bur. Old Sec. Block-61, Lot-6
Washington, Emma W., b. 1843, d. 1930, bur. Old Sec. Block-61, Lot-5
Washington, Gladys F., b. 1890, d. 17 Jun 1969, bur. Old Sec. Block-29, Lot-2
Washington, Hannah Lee, b. 1871, d. 1917, bur. Old Sec. Block-61, Lot-2
Washington, James C., b. 1883, d. 10 Jul 1926, age: 43yr, bur. Old Sec. Block-61, Lot-3
Washington, Janet Fairleigh, b. 1868, d. 1911, bur. Old Sec. Block-61, Lot-1
Washington, Nathanial W, b. 1881, d. 17 Jul 1926, age: 45yr, bur. Old Sec. Block-29, Lot-1
Washington, Peachy Ryland, b. 1881, d. 10 Jul 1926, age: 45yr, bur. Old Sec. Block-61, Lot-4
http://www.interment.net/data/us/wa/lincoln/almira/almira_sz.htm
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Go to From Pioneers to Power, post 14: http://cousinsam.blogspot.com/2011/08/from-pioneers-to-power-post-14.html
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Washington, Bushrod C; d. 2-24-1919, age 80, influenza; burial S-61.
http://www.wagenweb.org/lincoln/obitsalmiracemtthruz.htm
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Washington, Bushrod C., b. 1839, d. 24 Feb 1919, age: 80yr, Civil War (Conf), Army of
Virginia, bur. Old Sec. Block-61, Lot-6
Washington, Emma W., b. 1843, d. 1930, bur. Old Sec. Block-61, Lot-5
Washington, Gladys F., b. 1890, d. 17 Jun 1969, bur. Old Sec. Block-29, Lot-2
Washington, Hannah Lee, b. 1871, d. 1917, bur. Old Sec. Block-61, Lot-2
Washington, James C., b. 1883, d. 10 Jul 1926, age: 43yr, bur. Old Sec. Block-61, Lot-3
Washington, Janet Fairleigh, b. 1868, d. 1911, bur. Old Sec. Block-61, Lot-1
Washington, Nathanial W, b. 1881, d. 17 Jul 1926, age: 45yr, bur. Old Sec. Block-29, Lot-1
Washington, Peachy Ryland, b. 1881, d. 10 Jul 1926, age: 45yr, bur. Old Sec. Block-61, Lot-4
http://www.interment.net/data/us/wa/lincoln/almira/almira_sz.htm
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Go to From Pioneers to Power, post 14: http://cousinsam.blogspot.com/2011/08/from-pioneers-to-power-post-14.html
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| Record Series: | Death Records |
|---|---|
| Collection: | Social Security Death Index - Washington |
| County: | Statewide |
| Last Residence Zipcode: | 98823 |
|---|---|
| Birth Date: | 05/02/1914 |
| Death Location: | EPHRATA, WA |
| Verification Code: | V |
| Reference Number: | 531-05-6122 |
| Social Security Number: | 531-05-6122 |
| Name: | NAT W WASHINGTON |
| Death Date: | 08/18/2007 |
| Lump Sum Payment Zipcode: |
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| Record Series: | Death Records |
|---|---|
| Collection: | Washington State Death Records |
| County: | Statewide |
| Da Reference Number: | {48941F55-B6D3-44CE-8ACC-EDD286176188} |
|---|---|
| Image Number: | 2016 |
| Document Number: | 37 |
| Document Reference Id: | rn 27 |
| Name: | Nathaniel W Washington |
| Date Of Death: | 10 Jul 1926 |
| Age: | 45 |
| Gender: | Male |
| Father Name: | B C Washington |
| Mother Name: | Willis |
| Batch Id: | 276375 |
| Batch Locality: | Washington, United States |
| Death Place: | Bridgeport, Douglas, Washington |
| Mother Name Surname: | Willis |
| Spouse Name: | Gladys Washington |
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| Record Series: | Marriage Records |
|---|---|
| Collection: | King Marriage Records |
| County: | King |
| Reference Number: | kingcoarchmc43770 |
|---|---|
| Groom's Name: | Nathaniel Willis Washington |
| Bride's Name: | Gladys Fuller |
| Marriage Date: | 8-13-1913 |
http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Record/View/6D76CF28A901AB783A659F2298C6EA04
Some names in this record (Bushrod Corbin, Thomas B., Emma W.) have been corrected. I have found errors to be frequent in the digital archive transcripts.
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Some names in this record (Bushrod Corbin, Thomas B., Emma W.) have been corrected. I have found errors to be frequent in the digital archive transcripts.
| Record Series: | Death Records |
|---|---|
| Collection: | Washington State Death Records |
| County: | Statewide |
| Da Reference Number: | {B1B7558D-CDAE-4E5B-B9EC-4729189F1A59} |
|---|---|
| Image Number: | 1427 |
| Document Number: | 495 |
| Document Reference Id: | 15 |
| Name: | Bushrod Corbin Washington |
| Date Of Death: | 24 Feb 1919 |
| Age: | 79 |
| Gender: | Male |
| Father Name: | Thomas B Washington |
| Mother Name: | Rebecca J Cunningham |
| Batch Id: | 275766 |
| Batch Locality: | Washington, United States |
| Death Place: | Almira, Douglas, Washington |
| Mother Name Gn: | Rebecca J |
| Mother Name Surname: | Cunningham |
| Spouse Name: | Emma W. Washington |
http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/Record/View/F794D1466A78010CFEA6D08133AA25CB
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Go to From Pioneers to Power, post 14: http://cousinsam.blogspot.com/2011/08/from-pioneers-to-power-post-14.html
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