government » mayor h. h. hubbard
Mayor H. H. Hubbard

Born in Callaraugus County, New York on March 9, 1846, H.H. Hubbard was to become adept in various endeavors.  He was raised on a farm, attended local schools near his home and at age 16 entered Alfred University, N.Y. graduating from that institution in 1866.  Directly following his graduation he found employment as a clerk, a position he retained for two years.

He married Adell Neare of his home county on February 8, 1868.  They subsequently became parents of three children, Clarence, Edith and Rollin.  Shortly after the marriage they moved to Buffalo where he worked for the Union Iron Works as invoice and shipping clerk for a short time before the young couple left their native state to farm in Michigan for eight years.  While there he learned the carpenter trade then returned with his family to New York where he was employed by the Northern Pacific R.R. in the construction of telegraph lines.

In 1888 the family came to Cheney where Mr. Hubbard became the proprietor of his own stationery, book and confectionery store.  The business flourished and the Hubbards enjoyed making new friends and taking part in social activities of the town.  He was dedicated to the advancement of the city, taking part in civic affairs.  He served two years on the city council and finished Dr. David Turner's mayoral duties for the year of 1893.

The Hubbards left Cheney on June of 1898 after making their home here for ten years.  They settled in Spokane where Mr. Hubbard purchased a grocery store on the corner of Third and Howard which he managed until November of the same year when he was elected County Auditor on the Republican ticket.

Mr. Hubbard joined several fraternal orders while living here, including the Masonic Lodge, Sons of Veterans, Washington Division in which he was especially active.  He was Captain of Camp in Cheney for three consecutive times and in 1896 - 1897 was senior Vice-Commander of the Washington Division.  In Spokane he joined the Improved Order of Red Men, a fraternal order which used Indian idioms for officers: Great Sachem, Senior Sagamore, Junior Sagamore, Prophet, Chief of Rec., Collector of Wampum and Keeper of Wampum.

Although the Hubbards kept in touch with Cheney friends, after their move to Spokane they were involved in life there and over the years communication with Cheney folks was infrequent.

Contributed by Ellen Proctor, 1988.