Hop king : Ezra Meeker's boom years / Dennis M. Larsen.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Larsen, Dennis M., 1946- author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Meeker, Ezra, 1830-1928.

Meeker, Ezra.

Pioneers--Washington (State)--Puyallup--Biography.

Pioneers.

Businesspeople--Washington (State)--Puyallup--Biography.

Businesspeople.

Hops industry--Washington (State)--Puyallup--History.

Hops industry.

History.

Puyallup (Wash.)--Biography.

Puyallup (Wash.).

Washington (State)--Puyallup.

Genre:

Biographies.

History.

Physical Description:

xv, 252 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Pullman, Washington : Washington State University Press, [2016]

Summary:

Oregon Trail pioneer Ezra Meeker seized business opportunities and took risks. After he settled near Tacoma in the Puyallup Valley, hops became a pivotal force in his life-and one that would change both the region and Washington Territory. Meeker planted his first hops in the mid-1860s, attaining modest profits. Then he met brewer Henry Weinhard. Becoming Weinhard's direct supplier brought Meeker rising prosperity and inspired others to start cultivating the vines. He travelled to New York and London, extolling the virtues of Northwest-grown hops. E. Meeker and Co. became the largest hops exporter in the country, and Ezra the official "hop king." Rarely idle, Meeker also managed an extended family, became involved in philanthropy and development schemes, relentlessly promoted Washington and Puget Sound, and was active in politics-arid women's suffrage. Impulsive, pugnacious, and an intimidating business opponent, he became entangled in numerous lawsuits. Ultimately, a combination of adverse events-including a stunning financial betrayal and an aphid plague-brought Meeker's boom years to a close. Book jacket.

Contents:

Brothers

Politics and the law

A new start

Birth of the Puyallup Valley hop industry

Suddenly wealthy

Building a town

The feud

The hop king

The London hop trade

Diversification

The Chinese expulsion

The American Exhibition at New Orleans

Second trip to England

Meeker for congress

Farm and home

A woman's right to vote

Society news and real estate

Mayor Meeker

The Frank Meeker story

Hop lice

Traveling man

The siege of Puyallup

Beginning of the end

Financial troubles

The fourth trip to England.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9780874223422

0874223423

OCLC:

952548569