Frederick Trump

Frederick Trump, originally Friedrich Trump, was born on March 14, 1869, in Kallstadt, in the Kingdom of Bavaria, now part of modern-day Germany. His parents were Christian Johannes Trump (1829–1877) and Katharina Kober (1836–1922). The village of Kallstadt was predominantly Lutheran. His earliest known ancestors include Johann Philipp Drumpft (or Trump), born in 1667; Johann Sebastian Trump (1699–1756); Johann Paul Trump (1727–1792); and Johannes Trump (1789–1836), the latter of whom married in Kallstadt.

In 1877, at the age of 8, Friedrich Trump’s father died from emphysema, leaving the family in financial hardship. Friedrich, considered too delicate for heavy labor, was sent at age 14 to Frankenthal to apprentice as a barber under Friedrich Lang, working seven days a week for two and a half years. After completing his apprenticeship, he returned to Kallstadt but soon decided to emigrate to the United States in 1885, citing a desire to seek better opportunities and later recalling that he agreed with his mother that he should go to America.

Trump immigrated at age 16, arriving in New York City on October 19, 1885, aboard the steamship Eider from Bremen, Germany. His immigration was technically illegal, as he had not completed the mandatory two-year military service required by Bavarian law. Records from U.S. immigration list his name as "Friedr. Trumpf," with no specified occupation. He initially lived with his sister Katharina and her husband Fred Schuster on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, where he began working as a barber.

In 1891, Trump moved to Seattle, Washington, using his savings to purchase and operate the Dairy Restaurant at 208 Washington Street in Pioneer Square, an area known for saloons, casinos, and brothels. The restaurant served food and liquor and advertised "Rooms for Ladies," a euphemism for prostitution. By 1892, he obtained U.S. citizenship and participated in Washington's first presidential election. He lived in Seattle until early 1893, when he sold the Dairy Restaurant.

Trump then relocated to Monte Cristo, Washington, a mining town in Snohomish County, which had been prospecting for gold and silver following reports of mineral deposits in 1889. He purchased 40 acres of land east of Seattle for $200, marking one of the earliest real estate transactions within the Trump family. In Monte Cristo, he attempted to establish a hotel by filing a gold placer claim on land technically already claimed by others, leveraging the corrupt practices of the U.S. General Land Office. He built a boarding house and operated it similarly to his restaurant in Seattle.

In 1896, Trump was elected justice of the peace in Monte Cristo by a large margin. However, as the mining prospects proved overestimated and investment waned, most miners left by 1896, and the town's economy declined. Trump responded by funding two miners at $15 each to stake claims in the Yukon during the Klondike Gold Rush, which commenced in July 1897. After selling off most of his Monte Cristo holdings, he returned to Seattle and established a new restaurant at 207 Cherry Street, which quickly became successful.

During the Klondike Gold Rush, Trump’s funded miners staked claims at Hunker Creek and Deadwood Creek, selling their claims at significant profits, although there is no record of whether Trump received any of the proceeds. With the earnings from his ventures and investments, he prepared to visit the Yukon himself, purchasing supplies and staking claims. Trump worked in various capacities as a businessman and remained in Seattle until his death.

Frederick Trump died from the influenza pandemic on May 30, 1918, at the age of 49. He was married to Elisabeth Christ, whom he married upon returning to Kallstadt in 1901. After his death, his family continued to develop their real estate interests, ultimately leading to the prominent business and political family his descendants would form, including his grandson Donald Trump, the 45th and 47th president of the United States.