Chin Gee Hee was born in Taishan, China back in 1844. His father was a maker of soy sauce crocks. While I don’t have the time frame he made his was to America working in a placer mine in Port Gamble, Washington, where he worked in a lumber mill.
In 1783, he arrived in Seattle he opened up the Wa Chong Company where he imported or manufactured sugar, tea, rice, cigars, opium and fireworks. He ordered a mail order bride form China. He became a central figure in the political and diplomatic defense against the anti-Chinese riots in November of 1885. In 1888, he became one of the main sources providing construction workers for the Great Northern Railway and the Seattle and Walla Walla Railroad.
In 1904, he returned to China turning over his business to his son Chin Lem where he founded the first railway in South China. He died in 1929 in Guangdong, China.
What you may not know about Chin is that his son Chin Lem was the first documented Chinese child born in the Washington Territory.
You day is worthwhile when you make someone smile, so give the free gift of a smile today
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