USA > Washington > King County > Seattle > A volume of memoirs and genealogy of representative citizens of the city of Seattle and county of King, Washington, including biographies of many of those who have passed away > Part 26
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In 1882 was celebrated the marriage of Captain Ballard and Miss Es- telle Thorndyke, a native of Rockland, Maine, and they had five children, but four died in infancy, the surviving son being Stanley. The best homes of the city are open for their reception and they are leading representatives of the social circles of Seattle. Mr. Ballard belongs to the First Presby- terian church of Seattle, and for many years has been one of its elders. He was made a Mason in St. John's Lodge, F. & A. M., of Seattle, in 1871. and has always been a worthy exemplar of the teachings of the craft. His is a well rounded character in which due attention has been given to phy- sical, mental and moral development, as well as to business, social and public affairs. He stands out conspicuously among the leading spirits to whom Seattle owes her upbuilding, her progress and substantial improvement and his name is inseparably linked with her history.
THOMAS H. CANN.
The name of Judge Thomas H. Cann ranks high among his profes- sional brethren of the King county bar and we are pleased to present to his numerous friends and acquaintances this sketch of his nseful life. The Judge is a native of the Prairie state, his birth having occurred in St. Clair county, Illinois, on the 18th of July. 1833, and he is of Scotch-Irish descent. His ancestors were among the early settlers of Virginia, and his grandfather, William Cann, served under General Washington throughout the struggle for independence. He was one of the early pioneers of Kentucky, and lived to the extreme old age of one hundred and six years, but during the last seven years of his life he was totally blind. The father of our subject, James Cann, was born in Hart county, Kentucky, in 1792, and was there married to Nancy Miller, a native also of that commonwealth, where her people were among the early pioneers. Unto this worthy couple were born nine children. six sons and three daughters, but of this family only two sons are now living, the brother of our subject being John B. Cann.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Cann removed to Indiana. settling on the Wabash river, where they were among the early settlers, but in 1820 they left that state for St. Clair county, Illinois, taking up their abode near where Belleville now stands. In that early day Chicago, now the second city
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in size in the United States, had not even been begun. During the period of the Civil war their son, John B., enlisted for service in the Union Army, joining the Sixteenth Army Corps, and he served under General A. J. Smith and General Buell. During his services he was promoted from the ranks to a captaincy, and during the battle of Shiloh he was wounded. His younger brother, Elias Cann, was also a volunteer in the service of his country, and lost his life at the battle of Wilson Creek. The father of this family was called to his final rest at the age of fifty-six years, his death result- ing from an accident, passing away in the faith of the Methodist church, of which he was one of the early members and for a time a local minister. By his teachings and example he led many to the higher life, and as a minister he was ranked with the Rev. Peter Cartwright and other noted divines of that day.
Thomas H. Cann received his early education in the public schools of his native locality. In 1854. after reaching his twentieth year, he crossed the plains to California, and after his arrival on the Pacific coast he mined at langtown, now Placerville, Coloma, Shasta and Yreka, going from one min- ing excitement to another, and in 1861 he went to Orofino, now in Idaho, but during his mining experience he met with only moderate success. . At the last named place he was made a deputy sheriff, but after a year's service therein he resigned the position to enter the employ of Wells, Fargo & Company, car- rying their express from the mines to Lewiston, making the journey princi- pally on horseback, but when the snow was very deep he packed the express on snow-shoes. While thus engaged the exposure during the winter was very severe, the danger from road agents was imminent and it was a position which only a man of heroism would have undertaken. Continuing in that capacity for a year, he was then employed on the company's steamboats on the Snake and Columbia rivers, for which he received an excellent salary and thus continued until 1870. In that year he received from the governor the appointment of Oregon State land commissioner, which office he filled with credit for eight years. During this time he also read law and was admitted to the bar, beginning the practice of his chosen profession at Salem, Oregon. After a residence in that city of ten years he removed to Seattle. In 1864, he had been married at Portland, Oregon, to Miss Louisa A. Gephart. a native of Hamburg. Germany. On his arrival in this city Mr. Cann's family consisted of his wife and three children: Adoline, at home; Thomas H., a lawyer by profession and now employed as master of a steamship; and Louisa, the wife of Professor Raunam, professor of mathematics in the Washington State University.
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When the family took up their abode in Seattle this new thriving city was but a mere hamlet, but Mr. Cann immediaely opened an office for the practice of his profession, in which he continued with steadily increasing suc- cess for a year. He was then appointed to the important office of police judge, serving in that capacity for four years, and on the expiration of that period he again resumed the private practice of the law. In 1898 he was again called to public life, this time being elected to the office of justice of the peace and shortly afterward he was appointed . police judge by Mayor Humes. Since 1892 he has served as police judge, which position he has filled to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. He is recognized as a man of exceptional attainments, and in all the positions which he has been called upon to fill he has been true to himself and to the duties and obligations resting upon him.
To Mr. Cann is accorded the honor of being one of the oldest Masons on the Pacific coast, having been made a Master Mason at The Dalles, in 1863, and in the same year he received the Royal Arch degree. He was a charter member of the first Scottish Rite body that met in the west, and he has re- ceived all the degrees in Scottish Rite Masonry up to and including the thirty- second degree. In 1877 he became a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen at Salem, Oregon, and he is a charter member of the second body of that fraternity organized in the state, while at the present time he is a mem- ber of the committee on laws in the grand lodge of the state of Washington. Since the organization of the Republican party he has been an ardent sup- porter of its principles, his first presidential vote being cast for John C. Fre- mont in 1856, and he has ever been an active and efficient worker in the ranks. In 1884 Mr. Cann erected his present beautiful and commodious home, where his attractive lawn, one hundred and twenty feet square, is cared for by him- self and family, and they have planted many beautiful flowers, shrubs and fruit trees. In this charming home Mr. and Mrs. Cann expect to spend the re- mainder of their days, surrounded by the comforts and luxuries which former labor has brought to them. In religious faith he is a member of the Methodist church, while his wife and daughter are members of St. Mark's Episcopal church. The parents are also members of the Pioneer Society. He is always ready to assist in any movement which has for its object the improvement and upbuilding of the city of his choice, and he is justly called the "father of the police court of Seattle."
A leading member of the bar in speaking of Judge Cann said: " I con- sider him one of the most active, thorough and successful members of the profession. During his term of service on the bench here he made himself a
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terror to the evil doers, and did much to improve the moral tone of the com- munity. He had to a remarkable degree that rare ability for detecting truth from falsehood, for uncarthing fraud and hypocrisy, which is so necessary in a committing magistrate. In his practice he has received a large clientage, and is intrusted with many important interests. He has the unbounded con- fidence of his clients, and is, I believe, in the enjoyment of as remunerative practice as any lawyer in Seattle."
ELTON E. AINSWORTH.
Elton E. Ainsworth, general manager of the Pacific Packing & Naviga- tion Company, of Seattle, is a striking example of what may be accomplished in the rapidly developing section of the country when determined perseverance is seconded by native ability. His rise in about twelve years to the position which he now occupies is indicative of his especial fitness for the work to which he is devoting his energies. Under his capable direction the business of the company has grown to mammoth proportions, so that the enterprise is one of the most important contributing to the commercial activity and conse- quent prosperity of the northwest.
Mr. Ainsworth is a native of New York, his birth having occurred at Cape Vincent, Jefferson county, on the 24th of May, 1865. He is of English ancestry. His father, Willard Ainsworth, was born in Cape Vincent, and in early life followed agricultural pursuits, but later turned his attention to merchandising, carrying on business successfully along that line until about fifteen years ago, since which time he has lived retired. He was also identi- fied with the fishing industries of the country, having been president of the Lake Ontario Fish Company. Politically he has been interested in the suc- cess of the Republican party from its organization, but the honors and emolu- ments of office have had no attraction for him. An active member of the Presbyterian church, he has filled offices in the organization with which he is identified, and his influence has ever been on the side of the right, the true and the beautiful. He wedded Mary Herrick and they are the parents of six children, but our subject is the only one living in the west.
During the summer months, while not attending school, Elton Ains- worth gained a knowledge of the fish business under his father's direction, and this practical experience acquired in his youth well qualified him for the work which he undertook in later years. When he reached the age of twenty years he went to Detroit, Michigan, and for a year and a half was con- nected with the Robinson Brothers Lumber Company, but on the expiration
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of that period he determined to go to the Pacific coast. He first made his way to San Diego, California, but finding that business was not very active at that point he decided to make his way to the Puget Sound country, and purchased a ticket to Tacoma, but when the boat upon which he had taken passage stopped at Seattle he went ashore and was so pleased with the city and its prospects that he immediately determined to remain, and lost no time in having his baggage transferred from the boat to the town, and thus, in August, 1888, took up his residence here.
It was then the custom for nearly everyone who came to this locality to take a claim, and Mr. Ainsworth went to the Olympic Mountains and secured a tract of land of one hundred and sixty acres on Lake Cushman, where he remained for six months. He then sold his claim and returned to the city, where, in connection with Arthur G. Dunn, he became engaged in the fish business at the corner of Second avenue and Pike street. Since that time the partnership has existed and the business has constantly increased. They soon extended the field of their operations to the wholesale canning busi- ness. In 1896 they built a cannery at the foot of Pike street, and in 1898 another at Blaine, Washington. In 1901 the consolidation of a number of the canneries on Puget Sound and in Alaska was consummated and the Pacific Packing & Navigation Company was formed. Mr. Ainsworth taking charge of the affairs of the company as its general manager. The company owns and operates seventy-five steamers, tugs and other vessels and has several very large canneries on Puget Sound and twenty in Alaska, the pack averag- ing from one million and two hundred and fifty thousand to fifteen hundred thousand cases annually, the product being shipped to all parts of the world. That Mr. Ainsworth is a man of exceptional business ability and executive force is indicated by his capable control of the mammoth business of the company, requiring keen discernment, marked foresight and a genius for dispatch in business and for planning and executing the right thing at the right time.
In August, 1894. in Victoria, British Columbia, Mr. Ainsworth was united in marriage to Miss Helen Schroeder. They lost their only son, Wil- lard, who died in April, 1900, at the age of three years. Their beautiful home, at the corner of Minor avenue and University street, was erected in 1901, and is the center of many brilliant and pleasing social functions, par- ticipated in by many of the leading residents of Seattle. Mr. Ainsworth votes with the Republican party, is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, of the Ranier Culb and the Seattle Golf Club. He belongs to the group of distinctively representative business men who have been active in promot-
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ing and building up the chief industries of this section of the country. Ile had the sagacity and prescience to discern the eminence which the future had in store for this great and growing city, and acting in accordance with the dictates of his faith and judgment, he has garnered, in the fullness of time, the generous harvest which is the just recompense of industry, integrity and enterprise.
ROBERT G. WESTERMAN.
There is no rule for achieving success, and yet in the life of the successful man there are always lessons which might well be followed. The man who gains prosperity is he who can see and utilize the opportunities that come in his path. The essential conditions of human life are ever the same, the sur- roundings of individuals differ but little, and when one man passes another on the highway of life, reaching the goal of prosperity in advance of others who perhaps started out before him. it is because he has the power to use advan- tages which probably encompass the whole human race. To-day among the reading residents of Seattle stands Robert G. Westerman, who is prominently known throughout this locality as the president and manager of the Wester- man Iron Works.
Mr. Westerman was born in the city of Coldwater, Michigan, in 1843, and is of Swedish ancestry, his parents, Peter and Peternella (Nystrom) Wester- man, having both been natives of that country. In 1841, however, they left the land of their birth and came to the United States, taking up their abode in Michigan. Three of their children remained for a time in their native land, but subsequently joined their parents in this country. While a resident of Michigan the father was engaged in agricultural pursuits, but in 1849 he crossed the plains to California and there followed placer mining. In 1855, on account of the ill health of his wife, he returned with his family to Europe, and there she died at the age of forty-six years, but her husband reached the age of seventy-two years. He was reared in the Lutheran faith, but during his residence in America was identified with the Prebyterian church. This worthy couple became the parents of eleven children, but only two are now living, the brother of our subject being Charles Westerman, the manager of a railroad in Caritiba, Brazil.
Robert G. Westerman received his early education under his mother's careful guidance, he having been permitted to attend school only four months in Sacramento, California, but by constant reading, observation and experi- ence he has greatly added to his knowledge and is now a well informed man.
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When but ten years of age he began learning the blacksmith's trade under the direction of his uncle. In 1867 he removed to Chicago, Illinois, where for eleven months he was employed in the shops of the Illinois Central Railroad, and later worked for the Central Pacific Railroad Company in California and Nevada. He was also chief engineer and blacksmith for the consolidated Virginia Mine and was connected with other prominent mining interests. Subsequently Mr. Westerman went to Arizona on a mining expedition, and after working for a time with the Contention Mining & Mill Company he en- gaged in mining on his own account at Tombstone, that state, there remaining for a year and a half. Selling his possessions there, he went to Mexico in the interest of a prominent mining company, where he was engaged in erecting mining machinery in different places, but subsequently left that state with the intention of going to Alaska. He changed his plans, however, and instead went to the Idaho mines, at Eagle City, where he mined with excellent success for three years, but before leaving that place he lost his entire earnings. Coming thence to Seattle in 1886, he worked for wages for a year and a half, and in 1888, with only one forge, engaged in business for himself at the foot of Marion street. Under his able management the business grew rapidly, and in January, 1889, it being necessary for him to secure larger quarters, hie removed to Western avenue, where he erected a commodious and substan- tial building, containing seven forges. This building was completed on the 20th of May, and on the 6th of June was entirely destroyed by the terrible fire which visited the city, thus sweeping away in a few moments the savings of many years. With undaunted energy, however, he set about to retrieve his lost possessions and erected a shop at the corner of Fifth and Main streets. In a short time he was enabled to rebuild his shop on Western avenue, and thus he has the credit of erecting three shops in one year. As time passed business grew to such proportions under his skillful direction that it again be- came necessary to secure larger quarters and he accordingly purchased the buildings which he now occupies. In 1898 the business was incorporated under the name of the Westerman Iron Works, with Mr. Westerman as president and A. T. Timmerman as secretary. The latter is a business man of ability and worth, and the two gentlemen own the entire plant. Their re- putation for reliability in business circles is unassailable and in all life's rela- tions they command the respect of those with whom they have been brought in contact.
The marriage of Mr. Westerman was celebrated in 1883, when Mrs. Hattie (Ray) Compton became his wife. She has one son by her former marriage, John Ray Compton, who was reared by Mr. Westerman and is still
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a member of his household. The union of our subject and wife has also been blessed with one son, Frank, who is now in school. The family ccupy a beautiful home at 1521 Twelfth avenue, south, on Beacon Hill. Mr. Wester- man is a Royal Arch Mason and a stanch supporter of Republican principles. The most honorable business methods have ever characterized his dealings, his duties of citizenship are faithfully discharged, and in private life he is known as a loyal husband, father and friend.
ISAAC N. BIGELOW.
Isaac N. Bigelow, one of the builders of the city of Seattle, is a native of King county, Nova Scotia, born on the 15th of May, 1838. He represents one of the oldest families of this country, tracing his ancestry back to John Bigelow, who emigrated from Essex county, England, to Massachusetts, in 1630. He was a freeholder and a select man of Watertown, a member of the Congregational church and died on the 14th of July, 1703, at the age of eighty-six years. His son, Samuel Bigelow, born in Watertown, in 1653. was proprietor of an inn and one of the influential men of the community. He served as a sergeant in the militia and represented his town in the general court. His will bears date 1720. His son, Isaac Bigelow, born in Water- town in 1691, held a commission from the governor as sergeant of the colonial militia and his death occurred in 1744. His son, Isaac Bigelow, Jr., the next in line of succession, was born in Colchester, Connecticut, on the 4th of May, 1713, and removed to Nova Scotia, where he received land grants from the government for settling there, but later he returned to Colchester, Connecti- cut, and reared his family there. He died in 1792. His son, Amasa Bigelow, the great-grandfather of our subject, was born in Colchester, Connecticut, in 1755, was a ship carpenter and lost his life by accident in 1799. He mar- ried Roxana Cone and their son, Ebenezer Bigelow, was born in Cornwall, Nova Scotia, about the year 1779. The latter married Nancy Rand in 1804 and died in 1860. He was also a ship builder and became a very prominent representative of that department of industrial activity. His son. David Bigelow, the father of our subject, was born in 1813, married Martha Jane Weaver, and died in 1847, at the age of thirty-four years. He had learned the ship-builder's trade under the direction of his father, carried on a large and successful business and was highly esteemed by all who knew him. His wife departed this life in the fifty-ninth year of her age. She was the mother of seven children, of whom four are living, three being residents of the Pacific
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coast, namely : H. Allen of Oakland, California; Rebecca, who is living in Seattle: and the subject of this review.
Isaac N. Bigelow obtained his education in the public schools of his native town and in early life learned the carpenter's trade. For a number of years he was engaged with his brother Benjamin in ship-building and re- mained in the east until 1875, at which time he came to Seattle, where he be- came identified with the business interests of the city as a contractor and builder. His marked skill in that vocation and his honorable business meth- ods soon secured him an extensive patronage, whereby his labors became very profitable. As his financial resources increased he made extensive invest- ments in real estate and purchased and platted what is known as Bigelow's addition to the city. He also platted Bigelow's second addition and the Lake Union addition, all of which have become greatly improved, being trans- formed into residence districts of the city. Both before and since the great fire in Seattle in 1889 Mr. Bigelow has been extensively engaged in building in this city, his labor in this direction, however, being largely the improvement of his own property. He built and owned one of the largest sawmills north of San Francisco but later, selling his interest in the property for thirty thousand dollars, he invested that amount in the Seattle Dime Savings Bank, of which he was the president and principal stockholder for four years. At the expiration of that time he was obliged to suspend, but he has the gratifi- cation of having paid one hundred cents on the dollar. Honesty has ever been one of the salient features of his character and no one can say aught that is detrimental concerning his business life. He has erected many residences on his property and also built the Bigelow block on Pike street and another large building on Second avenue and Union streets. He is now living retired with a good competency and makes his home in a nice residence at No. 912 Queen Ann avenue. He is an active and valued member of the Congrega- tional church, in which he is serving as a trustee and deacon and also as super- intendent of the Sunday-school. He takes an active and acceptable part in all church work and his labors in that behalf have been very effective. He has also contributed in large measure to the improvement and progress of Seattle and obtained the first street railway franchise. He also secured the paving of Pike street with brick and in many ways has contributed to the substantial improvement of the city. He is a Master Mason, having been made a mem- ber of the craft in Nova Scotia in 1863.
In the same year Mr. Bigelow was married to Miss Emeline Davidson, also a native of King county, with whom in youth he attended the same school. Their union has been blessed with two sons and a daughter : David
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E., a mineral expert and assayer now in Cedoras Island, Mexico; E. Victor, a Congregational minister, now serving as pastor of Elliott church, in Lowell, Massachusetts; and Clara M., who is at home with her parents. Rev. Bige- low is a graduate of Washington University and also of Yale College and has taken a post-graduate course in Harvard College. Mrs. Bigelow, like her husband, is actively engaged in church work, and both are most highly res- pected by a host of friends in Seattle. His purpose has ever been commend- able, his actions manly, his conduct sincere and above all his life has been in- fluenced by a sense of conscientious obligation concerning his relations to his fellow men and his duties of citizenship.
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