John Henry Mcallister

John Henry Mcallister, my wife's Great grandfather, and father of Jeannie Mcallister was born in Moy, County Tyrone in what is now Northern Ireland on Jan 21, 1860.  At the age of 21 he boarded a British ship called "The State of Alabama" destined for New York, a ship with 3 masts and one funnel and that could do 12 knots.  He arrived in New York on March 31, 1881.  At the time Northern Ireland had not been formed, in fact Ireland had not even achieved home rule from Britain.
On September 17, 1890 he married Lydia Kirk in Spokane Falls.  From 1891 to 1907 he and Lydia had 8 children, Donald, Lester, Frank, Dora, Alice, Roger, Jeannie, and John Jr.  From 1892 until 1896 the family lived at 1923 Summit Blvd and John worked as the manager of the Washington Stone Company.  In 1897 they moved to 810 1st ave and started a business doing stonework, cement work, tile floors and sidewalks.  From 1901 until 1907 they lived at 112 Montgomery ave. and finally in 1908 they moved to 2236 Bryant (which changed to Altamont a few years later).  In 1914-1915 the family started the McAllister Warehouse Company.  He died in 1934 in Spokane at 74.

Above are photos of John H. Mcallister(61) and Lydia E. Mcallister from their US passport issued Jun 3, 1921.

(Advertizement from the 1917 Spokane city directory)

**Note they used Auto Vans built before 1917**