29 Facts About Aaron Titlow

Aaron Rosser Titlow was a Washington state lawyer and politician.

Aaron Titlow settled in Tacoma, Washington, in 1888 and made many successful real estate investments that brought him wealth and prominence.

In 1909, Titlow protected his real estate interests and public access rights to the waterfront, fending off James J Hill and Northern Pacific Railroad's attempt to monopolize the Tacoma waterfront.

Aaron Titlow was born on a farm near Dayton, Ohio, on November 22,1857, into a family of Dutch ancestry.

Aaron Titlow grew up on his parents' farm and attended Delphi public school.

Aaron Titlow had four sisters: Alice Ann, Mead G, Read S, and Lora.

Aaron Titlow later entered the law department of the Washington University in St Louis, and graduated one year ahead of his class in 1885.

The new firm focused on business law, and Aaron Titlow began specializing in real estate cases.

In 1888, just as Washington Territory was about to join the Union and become Washington state, Aaron Titlow moved to Tacoma, Washington.

Aaron Titlow invested all the earnings he had accumulated in Tennessee, into Tacoma real estate.

Aaron Titlow raised the alarm, doubting that the purchase conformed with public interest.

Unable to convince the City council, Titlow took the matter to court, joined by John A Shackleford.

On September 14,1895, Aaron Titlow was appointed as receiver for two bankrupt institutions: the Bank of Tacoma and the Tacoma Trust and Savings Bank.

Aaron Titlow led a "sensational" investigation that unearthed dubious dealings in municipal bonds and eventually led to the arrests of the banks' management in October 1895.

In 1909, Aaron Titlow entered a legal battle with Northern Pacific Railroad around Tacoma waterfront access.

Aaron Titlow framed the battle as a fight for public interest against the railroad's monopoly on waterfront access; however, Aaron Titlow had his own financial interest in the matter, as the railroad's plans would have interfered with the ferry service between Tacoma and Fox Island, the location of many of his real estate interests.

Aaron Titlow was a Republican until 1896, when he switched allegiance and became a Democrat.

Aaron Titlow served in this capacity until 1898, and that remained the only political office that Aaron Titlow served.

In 1896, Titlow publicly supported Washington state governor and populist John R Rogers.

In later years, Titlow became a strong ally of Hugh C Wallace, succeeding him as the Washington state Democratic National Committeeman on May 19,1920.

Aaron Titlow was a strong favorite of the free silver measure and a strong supporter of William Jennings Bryan, the Democratic party heavyweight of the time.

Aaron Titlow supported the re-election bid of Woodrow Wilson's campaign for a third presidential term.

However, once it became clear that Wilson wouldn't attempt re-election for health reasons, Titlow opposed James A Reed and supported James M Cox as the presidential nominee in 1920.

Aaron Titlow believed that Cox would carry Washington state and win the presidency.

In 1911, Aaron Titlow built the Hesperides Hotel which was designed by famous Tacoma architect Frederick Heath in the Swiss chalet style.

In 1909, Titlow fought railroad magnate James J Hill and Northern Pacific Railroad in court to protect the waterfront access and ferry operation.

In Tacoma, the family lived in a luxurious, Colonial Revival-styled house at 410 South Sheridan Street, which was custom-built for Aaron Titlow in 1899 Aaron Titlow was an active member of Phi Delta Phi society, and a parishioner of the Episcopal Church.

In Tacoma Aaron Titlow is best known for Aaron Titlow Beach.

Aaron Titlow Lodge is used for weddings and other community gatherings.