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 28
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83
In 1872 Mr. Kummer was united in marriage to Miss Jennie N. Robin- son, of Wisconsin, and unto them have been born three children, but they had the misfortune to lose their eldest daughter, Ruby Grace, who died at the age of twenty-two years. She had just been married to W. L. Blackett and was a most accomplished and brilliant young woman who had a host of friends in the city, so that her death was deeply mourned. The elder son, John Alfred, is now a student in Vashon College, and George W. is pur- suing his education in the public schools of Seattle. Mr. and Mrs. Kummer are valued members of the Methodist church and he belongs to the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, the Ancient Order of United Workmen,
256
REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS OF
and the Seattle Athletic Club. He is also a member of the Seattle Chamber of Commerce, of which he was formerly the vice-president. His political support is given to the Republican party, but aside from supporting the men and measures in which he believes he takes no active part in politics. He indeed deserves mention among the most prominent of Seattle's merchants and among her representative citizens, and should find a place in the history of the men of business and enterprise in the great northwest whose force of character, sterling integrity, control of circumstances and whose marked success in establishing great industries have contributed in such an eminent degree to the solidity and progress of the entire country. His life has been manly, his actions sincere, his manner unaffected and his example is well worthy of emulation.
FRANK W. MITCHELL.
Frank W. Mitchell occupies a commanding position in the business cir- cles of Seattle, being the vice-president and manager of the store belonging to the Mitchell, Lewis & Staver Company, extensive dealers in mining and milling machinery, wagons and carriages. It is true that he entered upon a business already established, but many a man of less resolute principles could not have carried on the work, increasing the business of the house as he has done, and in his labors he has shown marked enterprise, keen discernment and strong purpose. Mr. Mitchell is a native of Washington and his family is of Scotch lineage. The grandfather, Henry Mitchell, was born in Scot- land on the IIth of March, 1810, and in 1833 crossed the Atlantic to the new world, taking up his abode in Chicago, Illinois, where he engaged in the manufacture of the Mitchell wagon. In 1856 he removed to Kenosha, Wis- consin, where he established the Bain Manufactory, which he afterward sold to E. Bain. His next place of residence was Racine, and there he became the founder of the Mitchell & Lewis Company, which carried on a very ex- tensive business there, manufacturing thirty thousand wagons yearly. Mr. Mitchell died on the 23d of October, 1893, at the advanced age of eighty- three years.
William Henry Mitchell, the eldest son, and the father of our subject, was born in Chicago in 1834 and accompanied his parents on their removal to Kenosha. The year 1853 witnessed his arrival on the Pacific coast. He crossed the plains with oxen, leaving his Wisconsin home in April and arriv- ing in Olympia, Washington territory, in the following October. He was a single man at that time. but while enroute met the lady who afterward be-
VIA. Mitchell
257
SEATTLE AND KING COUNTY.
came his wife, for she traveled in the same wagon train and the acquaintance thus formed ripened into love that was consummated by marriage. She bore the maiden name of Martha T. Johns and was a native of Tennessee. Her father was Bennett L. Johns, who came direct from Missouri to the north- west and located in Seattle in 1853, becoming a pioneer resident of the town. At Olympia William Henry Mitchell was first engaged in cutting cord wood, but soon turned his attention to blacksmithing and later to the butcher busi- ness. As he prospered he enlarged the field of his activity until he became actively engaged in the wholesale cattle business and for a short time was also in the grocery business. He likewise conducted a bakery and became interested in a saw mill at Tumwater, near Olympia, as a member of the firm of Ward & Mitchell. He afterward owned a mill in Olympia, there carrying on business for a number of years. His enterprise grew in volume and im- portance and he became one of the builders of a railroad extending from Olympia to Tenino, of which line he had the entire control. In 1882 he sold this and in that year he made his first visit back to his old home in Racine, from which he had been absent twenty-nine years. Later he returned to Portland, Oregon, for the purpose of representing the Michell & Lewis Com- pany on the Pacific and introducing their wagons into this part of the coun- try. He found a good market for the products of the factory which his father had established, and continued in the business until 1892, at which time the present Mitchell, Lewis & Staver Company was formed, of the Mich- ell & Lewis Company general agency and the Staver & Walker Company. The new company was incorporated in Portland in February, 1892, and Mr. Mitchell, the father of our subject, became its president. He retired from active participation in the business, however, in 1897 and is now spending the evening of life in a well earned rest at Tumwater, near Olympia. He is, however, the nominal head of the company. He has a most beautiful property and well he merits an honorable retirement from labor. His career has certainly been one of remarkable success, deserving of the admiration and respect of all. His efforts, too, have been such as command uniform confidence and his career has ever been characterized by sterling integrity, by keen foresight and managing ability that far exceeded that of the average person. The lady who shared with him in all the pioneer experiences of life in the northwest was called to her final rest in 1896 when fifty-six years of age. Mr. Mitchell has been a lifelong Democrat, but is not a bitter partisan. He has filled various offices, including that of sheriff of Thurston county, in which he was an incumbent in 1857. He was likewise a member of the Wash- ington territory legislature, being widely recognized as a leader of public
258
REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS OF
thought and opinion as well as in industrial and commercial circles. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell were the parents of five children, four of whom are yet living: H. W., who is now manager of the business of the Mitchell, Lewis & Staver Company in Portland, and is secretary and treasurer of the corpora- tion ; Edith, the wife of A. McCoquadale, an employe of the Oregon Railroad and Navigation Company, at Portland; and Albert B., who is with his father at Tumwater.
Frank W. Mitchell was educated in the schools of his native city and in a business college in San Francisco, California. In 1882 he became con- nected with his father's business as a bookkeeper, also performing other of- fice duties, and the latter went upon the road as a traveling salesman through the northwest, selling the products carried by the house. He also opened a branch house in Walla Walla, conducting it for a year, at the end of which time he again went upon the road. In 1887 he returned to the office and continued his connection with the business in Portland until 1894, at which time he came to Seattle to assume the management of the extensive trade which is controlled from this point, the house having been established here at the time of the incorporation of the company in 1892. They deal on an , extensive scale in mining and milling machinery, wagons and carriages, their goods being shipped to many parts of the United States. His business abil- ity, executive force and keen insight have been largely instrumental in pro- moting the business in the northwest, bringing to the corporation a high de- gree of prosperity.
In 1887 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Mitchell and Miss Georgie May Riggen, of Portland, who was born in California. They became the parents of one daughter, Mildred May, who was left motherless in 1897 by the death of Mrs. Mitchell. On the Ist of January, 1900, Mr. Mitchell was again married, his second union being with Miss Marie Histermann, a native of Germany, who in her childhood was brought to America by her parents, who located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Later she returned to the father- land and was educated in some of its best schools. In 1889 she came to Seattle, just after the great fire here. Both Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell have a host of warm friends in this city, the hospitality of many of its best homes being accorded them. Mr. Mitchell is one of the native sons of Washing- ton, having always been identified with the interests of this state. He votes with the Republican party and is deeply interested in all that pertains to the progress and improvement of the northwest. He is thoroughly informed concerning his business, having made a close study of it in principle and de-
259
SEATTLE AND KING COUNTY.
tail. He stands to-day, strong in his manhood and strong in his honor and good name, a most prominent and active factor in the commercial life of the northwest.
ALFRED BATTLE.
The history of the Seattle bar shows that Alfred Battle has been con- nected with almost every case of importance, especially in the branches of civil law, that has been tried in the courts of this district during the past fifteen years. He has attained to a position of distinction as a representa- tive of the legal fraternity and is a member of the law firm of Ballinger, Ronald & Battle, one of the most celebrated law firms in the state of Waslı- ington. Our subject is a native of Texas, his birth having occurred in Mc- Lennan county on the 22d of March, 1858. The family is of French line- age and at an early period of American history was established in North Carolina and Virginia. It was well represented by valiant soldiers in the Revolution, and members of the family largely aided in establishing the policy and course of the old Dominion during an early period in their set- tlement. Thomas E. Battle, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Virginia, whence he removed to Georgia and was there married and reared his family. He held membership in the Methodist church and became one of the early representatives of that denomination in the south. He took a very active part in church work and was a man of great usefulness and influence. "His days were long upon the land" for he attained the ripe old age of ninety-six years, leaving behind him a memory that was long enshrined in the hearts of those who knew him.
Nicholas William Battle, the father of our subject, was born in Georgia, and pursued his education in Virginia. He married Miss Ann Cabanass, also a native of Georgia, and when the country became involved in Civil war, true to his love for the land of the south he joined the Confederate army and served his country with the rank of colonel. After the close of hostilities he removed to Waco, Texas, where lie practiced law during the remainder of his business career. He is now residing in Seattle at the ven- erable age of eighty-one years, but the lady of his choice, who so long traveled life's journey with him, sharing in its joys and sorrows, its adver- sities and prosperity, was called from his side on the 3d of February, 1900, departing this life at the age of seventy-two years. Like her husband she was a devoted member of the Baptist church and enjoyed the respect and warm regard of many friends. Unto this worthy couple were born eight
260
REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS OF
children, of whom four are yet living, Thomas E. and Mrs. L. W. Goodrich being still residents of Texas, while Edgar and Alfred make their home in the city of Seattle.
Alfred Battle pursued his education in Waco University, now the Bay- lor University, in which institution he was graduated with the class of 1878, winning the first honors of that class and becoming its valedictorian. He acquired his legal education in his father's law office and in the Vanderbilt University of Nashville, Tennessee, and was admitted to the bar in Marlin, Texas, entering upon practice in connection with his father, in Waco, Texas, where he remained until March, 1887. The following year he came to Seattle and opened an office, practicing alone until 1889, when he entered into partnership with S. M. Shipley, this association being maintained until 1897, when Mr. Battle became the junior member in the present well known and prominent firm of Ballinger, Ronald & Battle.
In the great fire which swept over the city on the 6th of June, 1889, Mr. Battle lost his fine library and all of his nice furniture, which was un- insured. After the fire, at the time the streets were remodeled and re- graded, there arose much heavy litigation in which the city was involved and Mr. Battle was employed by Seattle to assist the corporation counsel. One of the first cases of this kind was that brought by the Seattle Gas and Elec- tric Light Company against the city to recover one hundred thousand dol- lars for damages alleged to have been sustained by reason of the change in street grading. Mr. Battle won this suit for the city and afterward won the suit brought by the Oregon Improvement Company, involving the right and title to a portion of certain street property. Other cases came up in rapid succession in which he took such a conspicuous part and so demon- strated his superior ability that he became a candidate of his party for cor- poration counsel. He had not sought the office, but made the race, running several hundred votes ahead of the Democratic ticket, but the entire Re- publican ticket was elected. The large vote which he polled, however, proved his present popularity and the confidence reposed in him by many of the opposition as well as those of his own party. Mr. Battle has since been re- tained as counsel, either for the plaintiff or defendant in almost every nota- ble suit that has arisen in this district since that time. Among these may be mentioned the suit of Dexter, Horton & Company, versus Sayward, involving the Port Madison Mill property and the franchises of the Con- solidated Street Railways in Seattle. In this case be was employed by the petitioners. Beginning with the month of February, 1896, he has repre- sented possibly four-fifths of the litigated cases and proceedings relating
261
SEATTLE AND KING COUNTY.
to the Seattle tide lands; and in fact has made a specialty of tide land liti- gation, which, together with corporate and municipal litigation, has con- stituted a large part of his practice. He has acquired the reputation of being one of the ablest land lawyers in the state. He has a miost compre- hensive and accurate knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence bearing upon these departments of litigation and there is added to his superior talent in the line of his chosen calling a keen mentality, a strong determination, a logical turn of mind that cause his arguments to follow a regular sequence.
Mr. Battle was united in marriage in June, 1900, to Miss Madge Fow- ler, a native of Newton, Kansas, and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. B. Fowler, of Brighton Beach, Washington, near Seattle. Our subject has always been an advocate of the Democracy and is a recognized leader in the ranks of his party in Washington, although he has never been a politician in the sense of an aspirant to office. He belongs to the Bar Association and the Ranier Club, also the Seattle Athletic Club and in social circles is very prominent, while at the bar he has made a most brilliant record. He has ever occupied a prominent position in the legal ranks of the practitioners of Seattle. His life has been one of untiring activity and crowned with a high degree of success, yet he is not less esteemed as a citizen than as a lawyer, and his kindly impulses and charming cordiality of manner have rendered him exceedingly popular among all classes. The favorable judg- ment which the world passed upon him in his early years has never been set aside nor in any degree modified. It has, on the contrary, been em- phasized by his careful conduct of important litigation, his candor and fair- ness in the presentation of cases, his zeal and earnestness as an advocate, and the generous commendation he has received from his contemporaries, who unite in bearing testimony as to his high character and superior mind.
WV. D. WOOD.
On the Pacific coast W. D. Wood has spent his entire life and to-day he is numbered among Seattle's leading and influential citizens. His birth occurred in Tomales, California, on the Ist of December, 1858. He comes of English ancestry. His father, Guy M. Wood, was born in Canada and in 1852 came to the new world, taking up his abode in California, so that he was the progenitor of this branch of the Wood family in the United States. He married Miss Sarah J. Bell, a native of Canada, and in order to provide for his family devoted his attention to farming and dairying, following the dual pursuit in the Golden state for many years. In 1891,
262
REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS OF
however, he left California and with his wife came to Seattle, where they are now esteemed residents of the city, the former being in his seventieth year, while Mrs. Wood is sixty-three years of age. Both are valued mem- bers of the Methodist church. Unto them were born seven sons and a daughter.
Of this family W. D. Wood is the eldest. In the public schools of his native state he acquired his preliminary education and later became a student in Napa College, after which he pursued a two years' course in the law department of the University of California and was admitted to the bar of that state in 1882. He immediately selected Seattle as a city in which to begin his professional career, believing that he might here achieve success. He became a partner of the Hon. J. T. Ronald and they prac- ticed together for about two years. On the expiration of that period Mr. Wood entered into partnership with Judge I. M. Hall. He had previously learned shorthand reporting and in addition to his practice did court re- porting for some time. In 1885 he was elected probate judge of King county, serving with ability in that office for two years and in 1888 he be- came associated with Eben S. Osborne in the title and abstract business under the firm name of Wood & Osborne. This was the beginning of the business now conducted by the Osborne Temper Company.
In 1889 Mr. Wood withdrew from the firm to become connected with a large real estate investment and improvement company. He secured an extensive amount of property in the vicinity of Green Lake and with others constructed the Green Lake Electric Street Railway with the result that extensive improvements were carried on in that part of the city, greatly benefitting Seattle thereby. In 1889 Mr. Wood was elected by popular ballot as a member of the first state senate of Washington, representing King county for a term of one year. In 1893 he was appointed a member of the board of regents of the University of Washington, in which office he served for two years, and in 1895 he was appointed mayor of Seattle to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of the Hon. Frank D. Black. During his incumbency as the chief executive of the city Mr. Wood ex- ercised his highest powers to advance Seattle's interests along every line of substantial improvement and progress. He made an excellent record in office, winning the high commendation of the general public. In 1897, at the time of the Klondike excitement, he went north to engage in the work of transportation and in merchandising in the Yukon country, and with others organized the Seattle-Yukon Transportation Company. Since that time Mr. Wood has given his entire attention to that work, having the suc-
263
SEATTLE AND KING COUNTY.
cessful management of the business in the north, while Mr. A. L. Hawley had the management of the business in Seattle. Mr. Wood spent more than half of his time in the Yukon country during this period, the enter- prise having grown to a gross business of one million dollars per annum. At the termination of four years the Seattle-Yukon Transportation Com- pany sold out to the consolidated company and Mr. Wood spent the season of 1901 in closing up his business affairs in the north, having recently re- turned to Seattle to remain permanently here.
In 1883 occurred the marriage of Mr. Wood and Miss Emma J. Wall- ingford, a native of the state of Minnesota, and a daughter of Captain John N. Wallingford, of Seattle. Four children have been born to them, but only one is now living, Paul, who is with his parents. Our subject and his wife are members of the Plymouth Congregational church and occupy an enviable position in social circles. Mr. Wood has been a life-long Republi- can and is a citizen of the highest integrity and respectability, having made for himself a creditable record in every position which he has filled, whether of a public or private nature.
DANIEL JONES.
Daniel Jones, who for the past twelve years has been extensively en- gaged in real estate dealing in the city of Seattle, is a native of Blossburg, Pennsylvania, where his birth occurred on the 4th of March, 1856.
Daniel Jones was only about four years of age when the family re- moved to Iowa and therefore he was reared in the west, becoming imbued with its progressive, enterprising spirit. He pursued his education in Grinnell College of that state, in which he was graduated in 1881. He engaged in teaching school for several terms and then wishing to make the practice of law his life work entered upon a course of study in Colum- bia College of New York city, where he was admitted to practice in 1883. In that year he removed to Fargo, North Dakota, where he opened an office and engaged in practice, but afterward took up his residence in Minne- apolis, Minnesota. There he became interested in real estate, and his new venture so occupied his time and attention that he abandoned the practice of law. In 1888, he arrived in Seattle, where he began dealing in real estate and in June, 1889, after the great fire, he became associated with G. C. Phin- ney in leasing the ground where the Butler Hotel now stands and erecting the block that is now upon that site. In the fall of 1891 Mr. Jones sold his interest in the property to his partner. Mr. Phinney died in 1893 and
264
REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS OF
since that time our subject has had charge of his estate. He is now handling real estate on his own account and for others does a loaning, renting and insurance business. He is thoroughly informed concerning the value of city property, and is a most reliable business man. It was Mr. Jones who sold Woodland park to the city, and through his efforts in that direction met with great opposition at the time, all give him credit now, for at this day the property is worth at least fifty thousand dollars more than it cost the city.
Mr. Jones is a stanch Republican, unswerving in his advocacy of the prin- ciples of the party, but he has never sought or desired office. He is a mem- ber of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.
HENRY A. SMITH, M. D.
The subject of this review is one whose history touches the pioneer epoch in the annals of the Pacific coast and whose days form an integral part of that indissoluble chain which links the early formative period with that of latter-day progress and prosperity. When Washington was cut off from the comforts and advantages of the east by the long, hot stretches of sand and the high mountains he made his way across the plains, braving all the trials and hardships of pioneer life in order to make a home in the north- west-rich in its resources, yet unclaimed from the dominion of the red man. For a half century he has resided in this section of the country and was the first physician to locate in the little settlement which has developed into the beautiful city of Seattle.
Dr. Smith was born near Wooster, Wayne county, Ohio, on the 11th of April, 1830, and is of German lineage on the paternal side, while on the maternal he is of English ancestry, the two families being founded in America during an early epoch in her history. His great-grandfather, Copleton Smith, served his country in the Revolutionary war. He owned one thous- and acres of land, over which the city of Philadelphia has since spread and from which he was driven by the Indians, who murdered his wife. Later, when he returned to his property, he found that it had been taken by others, who met him with rifles and would have killed him had he pressed his claim. He was a man of wonderful physical endurance and lived to the very advanced age of one hundred and twenty years. When one hundred years old he cut ten new teeth.
Nicholas Smith, the father of the doctor, was born in Pennsylvania it: 1799. He married Abigail Teaff, a native of Virginia, and they removed
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.