Page 47 - Family History

Family Stories

A Memoir of the Herman Fisher Family

After the family store in Baltimore, Maryland burned in about 1870,
Elizabeth, Elmer E., and Maurice Fisher went to Elgin, Illinois – possibly to

stay with Herman’s father, Georg. From the age of twelve, Herman was
employed as a canal boatman for many years, and then conducted a boat
supply grocery in Newcastle, Pennsylvania for some time. Herman and Frank
seem to have disappeared from the 1880 census and went to live in Santa Fe,
New Mexico sometime around 1879. Herman was a master woodworker and
built an altar in New Mexico in the 1870’s. It is unclear when Elizabeth and

their other sons joined Herman and Frank. Although there is other evidence as to
their whereabouts once they arrived in Clallam County, the whole family does
not seem to appear in any census from 1880 on.

Herman and Elizabeth came to Port Angeles, Washington on May 2, 1887 and

made it their home ever since. They opened and operated a variety store on Front
Street named “Fisher’s Bazaar.” They took up a homestead out near Mt.
Pleasant, and later at Lake Sutherland. Elizabeth was a devout Christian
Scientist and one of the most active and energetic workers in the Pythian
Sisters and in the Altruistic Club.

Elizabeth’s father was Robert Blair. He was born near Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.
Robert was a farmer by occupation and served as a Soldier in the War of 1812.
During early manhood he was killed by a horse. He had received a farm on
Chartier’s Creek in compensation for his services during the war. His wife, who
was born near Pittsburg in 1800, died at Puget Sound in 1891.

Herman retired from business life less than a year before his death. During an
economic boom a few months before his death, he sold his store property at a good
price and retired to enjoy a well-earned rest. He spent most of his time working
in their beautiful garden which was one of the best kept in town and the envy of
many passers-by.

Frank was a packer and/or scout in the Apache War, sustaining a wounded
pinky finger on his left hand. After that, Frank was an agent for the railroad

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