Henry G. Struve

Henry G. Struve (November 17, 1836 – June 13, 1905) was a prominent American lawyer, legislator, historian and banker in Seattle, Washington, during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

A member of the celebrated Struve family, he was elected mayor of Seattle in 1882 and 1883, during a time of rapid civic growth and prosperity.

He was chairman of the committee on ways and means, and in 1869 he secured passage of a law recognizing community property rights of married persons.

After a promising start, he left newspaper work later in 1871 when President Ulysses S. Grant appointed him secretary of Washington Territory.

In November 1889 he was an incorporator of the Boston National Bank of Seattle, serving as vice president and a director.

Struve was also the sole agent in Washington of the German Savings & Loan Society of San Francisco until 1896, at which time he was succeeded by his son Frederick Karl.

During his tenure the city enjoyed great prosperity and growth; many civic improvements were made, at a cost of more than $500,000, and Seattle's population doubled from 5,000 to 10,000.

Appointed judge advocate general by Governor Squire in January 1886, Struve took a prominent part in directing the militia when Seattle was placed under martial law following the anti-Chinese riots of February 1886 (during the mayoralty of Henry L. Yesler).

He soon had to decline many honors and confine his attention to his extensive private practice, acting as counsel for many railroads and lumbering and coal-mining companies.