Clark County WA Archives Biographies.....Hidden, W. Foster 1871 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/wa/wafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Ila Wakley iwakley@msn.com September 20, 2009, 4:45 pm Source: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company W. FOSTER HIDDEN. Part owner of an industry with a record of fifty-seven years of continuous operation, W. Foster Hidden has attained notable success as a manufacturer of brick and is largely responsible for Vancouver’s prestige as the Ideal Wall City. He is one of its loyal sons and was born in 1871 in the old Pacific House, of which his father, Lowell M. Hidden, was then the manager, and represents one of Vancouver’s oldest and most prominent families. In 1891 he was among the first high school pupils to receive diplomas in Vancouver and next matriculated in Leland Stanford University, becoming a member of the class of 1895, with which Herbert Hoover was also identified. While a sophomore in that institution he helped to establish the Romero Hall Boarding Club, of which Mr. Hoover also became a member. In 1893 Mr. Hidden entered the Indiana University, which he attended for a year and then returned home to aid in the work of farming and cattle raising. Early in life W. Foster Hidden and his brother, Oliver M., began to work in their father’s brickyard, in which they received thorough training, and in 1901 the business was turned over to them. At that time new machinery was installed and the old hand-made process gave way to machine-made brick. They doubled the capacity of the plant, despite the fact that the need for it was not then apparent, and both became insistent advocates of more safe and permanent home construction By his own choice, W. Foster Hidden, the elder brother, assumed the responsibility of giving such talks as might be termed public addresses. Appreciating the fact that he lacked experience and the poise and suaveness necessary to impress his hearers he took a course in public speaking, and his earnestness and forcefulness soon won the interest of his audiences, with the result that more brick houses were constructed in Vancouver. However, it wasn’t until the Common Brick Manufacturers Association developed the all-rolock hollow wall, generally known as the ideal wall, that the Hidden brothers struck their stride. Here was a new vehicle upon which to carry their argument interestingly and with conviction and they made the most of it. With some difficulty they finally persuaded Lee W. Wingfield, an experienced local mason contractor to try the new type of wall. Like most masons who have been accustomed only to the solid wall, he was skeptical at first but after he had drilled his men in the art of laying brick in this manner he became even a greater enthusiast than the Hiddens themselves. Among other things, he found that it wasn’t difficult to lay; that it was a saver of labor, bricks and mortar; that it was far cheaper than a solid wall and as good, while just about as expensive as good frame construction. And there was about it a refreshing contrast of white mortar bond and red body of the brick that enlivened the wall most appealingly and moreover caught and held the eye as no one of the old-time types of brick work did, or ever had. The wall made an instant hit in Vancouver. The enthusiastic promotional work of the Hidden Brothers, supplemented by the salesmanship of Mr. Wingfield, doubtless had considerable to do with this, but the fact remains that today all of the recent real estate developments are featured with scores of Ideal wall homes, while many of the older residential districts are brightened with their presence. Many of the most attractive cottages and bungalows are in this treatment, which seems peculiarly adapted to the small home. It has also made its appearance in the business districts where mercantile houses, garages, gas stations and store buildings of the moderate- priced type are bright spots among their older neighbors. The Hidden Brothers brick works at No. 1412 Main street has occupied this site since the inception of the business in 1872. Their product is soft mud, sand mold brick which, burned with wood in the open arch, scove type of kiln, is peculiarly rich in its colorings. Operating only from March to November, the output of the plant is about two million five hundred thousand brick, practically all of which are used in Clark county. In the early days this pioneer firm made shipments by scow to Astoria, Oregon, and in addition to the manufacture of brick the partners deal in drain tile, sewer pipe, cedar posts, and DuPont blasting supplies. The Hidden Brothers have kept not only abreast of the times but in advance of them and their enterprise, ability and honesty have enabled them to win and retain a position of leadership in the field in which they are operating. On June 5, 1909, W. Foster Hidden married Miss Edith Nickerson, a native of Norwalk, Connecticut and they have become the parents of a son, Robert A., and a daughter, Mary Helene. The children are attending high school and both will graduate in 1928. On December 22, 1904, Oliver M. Hidden married Miss Lula Moore of Omaha, Nebraska. The brothers are identified with the Masonic order and closely observe its beneficent teachings. Oliver M. Hidden is a Kiwanian and his brother belongs to the Rotary Club and the Chamber of Commerce. They are progressive business men of high standing and citizens of substantial worth, esteemed and respected by all with they have been associated. Additional Comments: History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Vol. II, Pages 498-499 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/wa/clark/bios/hidden85gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/wafiles/ File size: 6.1 Kb