The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1889-01-01
CAPT. j. 4. HATFIELD.
A Career Marked by Success on Sea
and on Land.

Some men are born rich, other,
have riches thrust upon them, Will,
Others gain wealth and business prom
inence by diHt of hard work and ;
strict adherence to integrity and vel
established business principles. To
this latter class the subject of this
sketch belongs.
In September. 1877, the good ship
Majectie made her first appearance
in Seattle harbor. She was command
ed by young but skiIlful navigator
Captain ]. A Hatfield, who was just
ly proud of the performance OF his
vessel, she having made the trip from
San Francisco in IS days, beating. such
vessels as the Barring Brothers, Alaska,
Aureola, and number OF other clip
pers. The Majestic was chartered by
the Seattle Coal Co., and made p
round trips in their employ. During
all that time Capt. Hatfield never
met with an accident or lost man.
In 1850 the Majestic made the quick
est voyage on record from San Fran
cisco to Seattle, making the run from
port to port without the aid of a tug
in four DAYS and five and a
half hours. She was detained here II
days, loading, and returned to San
Francisco, accomplishing the round
trip in "A days and Is hours. Capt
Hatfield was on the ship IS years. He
Joined her as third mate and left her
as master and part owner. His ship
was always kept in the best of order.
In lsS2 Capt. Hatfield made a voyage
TO Australia, and on his return went
TO Seabeck for load oil lumber for
San Francisco. On the downward
passage he experienced the toughest
weather ever known on the coast. Al
though such vessels as the
Gettysburg. Southern Chief and
Theobald were blown ashore
the Majestic weathered the gale, and
arrived safely at her destination.
Capt. Hatfield has become tired of the
sea, and on arriving in San Francisco,
sold his interest in the vessel to Capt.
Bergman and came TO Seattle to make
the Queen CITY his future home. In
company with Capt. W X. Ballard, he
bought out the old and well-established
commission house oil Cove 4 Wilson
on Hesler's wharf. After two years OF
successful business Capt Ballard re-
tired from the firm to devote his en-
tire attention to his extensive real
estate interests, while Capt Hatfield
continued business AT the old stand.
Like all men who pay strict attention
to business, and strive to please their
customers, Capt Hatfield prospered
until he found that his old quarters
were altogether Inadequate, and he
quietly set about looking fer more
room. His Office was the recognized
headquarters of all ship-captains visit
ing this port, and animportant branch
Of his business was the DISBURSEMENT
Of ships and steamers.
While paying strict attention 10
business captain Hatfield did not
neglect his social duties, nor the
duties of citizen to the common
wealth. He was for years Master
Mason OF st. Johns lodge. the largest
lodge IN the jurisdiction. He now
holds the Office of vice president oi
the Board of Trade, and Is United
states signal officer at the port OF Sc
attic. He also holds a commission
from the governor as comIsissary OF
the First regiment, National Guard OF
Washington, with the rank Of hea-
tenant
To accommodate his growing bust
ness Captain Hatfield recently leased
from Ed. J.. Terry for period oi
years a large corrugated iron ware
house 56x1s0 feet in size, two storie.
high, and new wharf $50 feet in
length, covered with warehouses and
sheds. In addition to this he retains
the old quarters on Iesler's wharf In
the new warehouse he carries on an
extensive storage business. and is ar
ranging 10 put in extensive elevators
for the shipment Of wheat. Captain
Hatfield is agent for the opposition
steamship Wilmington. plying be.
tween san Francisco and Seattle, max
ing two trips Der month. loading and
discharging at his wharf he is aisc
agent for the Skagit Chief and several
other Sound steamers, which make
their headquarters at his new wharf
When Capt Hatfield took charge Of
the business, he, with one man. could
do all the work. while. At the present
time, his payroll amounts up into tbs
hundreds OF dollars every month.