George Nolte, pioneer busines man of Whatcom county, a stockholder in the Mogul Logging company and other corporations, including the Bellingham National bank and the Whidbey Island Sand & Gravel company, died at 10:30 last night in a Portland hospital, where he had been confined several weeks. He had been very weak for a number of days and his death was not unexpected. The body will arrive here to-night, accompanied by members of his family, who were at his bedside when death came. Funeral announcements will be made by Harry O. Bingham.
Mr. Nolte was one of the best known men in Whatcom county and he had been identified with its development for nearly thirty years. Coming to Bellingham in 1893 Mr. Nolte, with his brother Charles F. Nolte who came in 1890, engaged in the meatmarket business, conducting the Pioneer Meat Market on West Holly, near E street, rapidly branched out into other lines, all with marked success won by devotion to whatever he undertook. Hard work contributed as much as anything else, his friends know, to his success. The major part of the deceased man's activities took him outdoors much of the time and he enjoyed robust health, rarely ever suffering illness. Late last fall his health seriously was affected but he overcame the attack and enjoyed his usual good health for a time. A few months ago, however, the attacks returned and in an effort to overcome his trouble, he went to Portland to consult specialists. He entered a hospital there, but it was impossible to offer relief. His family had been with him there almost constantly. His sufferings were ended last night when death won its fight against what physicians determined was one of the most valiant efforts in their knowledge.
George Nolte was born at Bruce Mines, Canada, province of Ontario near Sault St. Marie, November 11, 1862. In the early 90's he left his home and settled at Kalama on the Columbia river, this state. Three years later he decided to locate on Bellingham Bay and came to what then was Whatcom. Since that time his life was spent here, although his business activities were not confined to this locality, resulting in his accumulating property in several cities of the northwest. He was married here to Mrs. Clara Murphy. Surviving him are Mrs. Nolte and four sons, George V. Nolte, Fred Nolte, Ernest Nolte and Edward Nolte, and one daughter, Clara Nolte, the last two named living at the Nolte home, 2203 Elm street. His only surviving brother, Charles F. Nolte has been associated in business with him for the last thirty-one years. The business association of the two brothers is one of the most noteworthy in this part of the state. Membership was held by the deceased man in Bellingham Bay Lodge No. 31 I.O.O.F. and Bellingham Lodge No. 194, B. P. O. Elks, and the Encampment, a branch of Odd Fellowship.
