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 29
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to Wooster, Ohio. He was a minister of the Christian church and engaged in preaching during the greater part of his life. He died in his fiftieth year, but his wife, long surviving him, passed away at the ripe old age of eighty years. She came west with her son, the Doctor, and acted as his housekeeper throughout the pioneer period in Seattle's development. A most earnest and devoted Christian woman, she belonged to the church in which her husband was a minister and her influence was widely felt for good and left an indeli- ble impression upon the lives and characters of her children. She was the mother of nine children. The only surviving one, with the exception of the Doctor, is Samuel T. Smith, who resides in Florida.
Dr. Smith was educated in the public schools and Alleghany College at Meadville, Pennsylvania. He also began the study of medicine in the last named place and continued it in Cincinnati, Ohio. For some time he en- gaged in practice in Keokuk, Iowa, and then resolved to make his home on: the Pacific coast, which was then being rapidly developed, although pioneer conditions yet largely existed. In 1852 he crossed the plains with oxen and inules, California being his objective point. He traveled with a large com- pany and fortunately took with him a big supply of medicine, which came into good play, for it was the year of the cholera scourge, when so many emigrants suffered from that dread disease. Dr. Smith was instrumental in saving the lives of many and also made considerable money by the exercise of his professional skill.
When he arrived at the Nevada mountains he decided to go to Oregon, and arrived at Portland on the 26th of October, 1852, the place being then a logging camp containing a few hundred people. General Stevens was en- gaged in surveying a road to the Sound and the Doctor concluded that was a very favorable outlook for the development of the country, so he decided to go on. Leaving his mother and sister at Portland he followed the road up the Cowlitz river, reached Olympia in safety and on shipboard proceeded down Puget Sound. He became enamored with the beauty of the scenery and resolved to make a home in this portion of the country. He made a, claim of one hundred and sixty acres on one of the little bays which jut inland from the Sound, and the place naturally took his name, being called Smith's cove. To the south of his location there was a large bay, beside which was a sawmill and a few log cabins. He became the physician of the little settlement, which is now the magnificent city of Seattle. There was little sickness in the camp and therefore but slight opportunity for Dr. Smith to earn a living at his profession, so he planted potatoes and these largely sup- plied him with the necessaries of life at an early day, but gradually the set-
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tlement grew, his professional services were more and more in demand and in course of time he had a large and lucrative practice. After some years had passed he built a hospital and patients were brought to him on boats from other places and his business became a great success. For many years he practiced in King and adjoining counties, doing much to alleviate human suffering and to restore health, and distinction came to him by reason of his professional skill. His property also grew in value. He became possessed of eight hundred acres of land and sold a portion of this for $75.000. retain- ing, however, fifty acres. Subsequently this became worth more than the part which he had sold. He built a wharf at the foot of Pike street and a, brick block at the corner of James and Second avenues. After the fire he also erected a number of tenement houses. His real estate investments brought to him a handsome fortune, owing to the increase in the value of property. He was likewise a stockholder in the Merchants National Bank.
But many years had passed and it required the combined efforts of many enterprising citizens to make Seattle the beautiful city which we to-day find it. Dr. Smith recalls many incidents of pioneer days, when life was fraught with hardships and ofttimes with danger. During the time of the Indian war he was obliged to leave his claim and take refuge in the town and his home and others outside the town were destroyed. The Doctor volunteered and was surgeon of Company A and Company H of the Sixth Regiment, receiving his commission from Governor Stevens. Their duty was to guard the town and scour the surrounding country while the families remained in safety within the stockade. In December. 1856, the Indians attacked the town, the fight lasting all day. The government ship Decatur had just en- tered the bay and took a part in the battle which saved the town. The ship shelled the Indians, who were filled with great consternation at the balls which shot twice. An Indian saw a ball from the ship fall. and. thinking that he had found a prize. ran and picked it up. Just then it exploded and killed him and several others. Only two white men lost their lives in that struggle.
In 1862 Dr. Smith was happily married to Miss Mary A. Phalen, a native of Wisconsin, and unto them have been born a son and seven daughters, and with one exception all are yet living. Lula became the wife of J. R. H. Pennefather, an attorney of Seattle: Luma married George Linder, Jr., of Boston, who is now a resident of this city: Maude became the wife of Charles Teaff, of San Francisco, and died from the effects of a surgical operation in 1899; Laurine is at home; Ralph W. is engaged in mining in Alaska; May
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is with her parents; Lillian married Willian Tompkins; and Ione married C. H. Graff, a professor in the University of Wisconsin.
The Doctor has been a Republican since the organization of the party and has four times been elected by his fellow citizens to the lower house of the legislature, where he served with honor and credit, leaving the impress of his strong and upright nature upon the legislation enacted during that period. He never sought office, never asked for a vote and never was defeated in an election, and while he was presiding officer in the council there was never an appeal taken from his rulings. His political record in these regards is almost without a parallel, and indicates in unmistakable terms not only his personal popularity but also the unqualified confidence reposed in his ability, loyalty and trustworthiness. Dr. Smith has written a number of valuable reminiscent articles concerning the early times, which have been published by the press and are of much historical interest and value. One of these was . a description of the Indian chief Seattle, for whom the town was named, and also gave an account of one of the chief's oratorical efforts, of which the Doctor had taken notes. The measure of good which Dr. Smith has ac- complished in the world cannot be estimated, but all who know aught of his history acknowledge his worth, first in his professional capacity, then as a citizen who has contributed to the material upbuilding of the city which he has chosen as his home and again as a public official, over whose record there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil.
JOHN N. WALLINGFORD.
It has been truly said that the real-estate dealer may make or mar a city. If he has a deep interest in the welfare and improvement, not only because of the prosperity which may accrue to him, but also because of a loyal and progressive public spirit, he will so conduct his transaction that the beauty of the city will be enhanced and the improvements carried on along those lines which bring substantial upbuilding and material progress. In this respect Mr. Wallingford is an ideal citizen and his labors have been of much benefit to Seattle. He is both widely and favorably known here and his life history therefore cannot fail to prove of interest to many of our readers.
The width of the continent separates Mr. Wallingford from his birth- place, for he is a native of Athens. Somerset county, Maine, where he first opened his eyes to the light of day on the 4th of July, 1833. The family is of English lineage. The grandfather, Jacob Wallingford, was born in
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England and on crossing the broad AAtlantic took up his abode in Rochester, New Hampshire, where he reared his family, among whom was Jonathan Wallingford, the father of our subject, who was born in Rochester, on the 7th of July, 1762. In 1780, when but eighteen years of age he volunteered for service in the Revolutionary war and was stationed at West Point, where at the close of the long struggle which brought independence to the nation he received an honorable discharge. He married Miss Betsey Bunker, a native of Pittsfield, New Hampshire, and they removed to the Pine Tree state, where he cleared and developed a farm upon which he spent his re- maining days, his death occurring when he had attained the age of eighty- five years. His wife survived him and lived to the very advanced age of ninety-three years. They were the parents of ten children, of whom Mr. Wallingford and his sister, Mrs. Betsey Durkee, of Minnesota, are now the only survivors.
John N. Wallingford was educated in the public schools of his native town. When fourteen years of age he lost his father, after which he re- moved to the western part of Maine and later to the western part of Mas- sachusetts. Subsequently he sought a home in western Minnesota, and in April, 1861, in response to President Lincoln's call for aid to crush out the Rebellion, he enlisted in Company H, Second Regiment, Minnesota Volun- teer Infantry. He had watched with growing interest the progress of events in the south, noticed the attitude brought about by the slavery question and resolved that if the southern states attempted to secede and thus overthrow the Union he would strike a blow in its defense. His regiment was as- signed to the Western Army under General Thomas and the first engagement in which he participated was at Mill Springs, after which he took part in the hard-fought battles of Pittsburg Landing, Perryville, Stone River and various skirmishes. The regiment made a splendid record, never suffering defeat in a single engagement. Mr. Wallingford joined the army as a private but was promoted to the rank of orderly sergeant and afterward to second lieutenant. Taken ill, because of his disability, he was honorably discharged, but when he had sufficiently recovered his health be raised a company, which filled up the depleted ranks of the First Minnesota Infantry, and of which he was made captain. With his company he proceeded to the front and served on the Potomac until General Sherman had made his way to the sea and General Lee had surrendered his forces to General Grant, thus practically ending the great sanguinary struggle, which had been car- ried on with such sacrifice of the brave boys of both the north and the south, but which resulted in the perpetuation of the Union that stands to-day
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stronger than ever before. Mr. Wallingford had the honor of being one of the participants in the grand review which passed through the streets of Washington and before the stand upon which the President cheered the boys in blue who had so valiantly fought for their country-the most celebrated military pageant ever seen on the western hemisphere. In the fall of 1865 Mr. Wallingford was mustered out and returned to his home a veteran and a victor.
Again taking up the peaceful pursuits of civil life he established a gen- eral mercantile store in Rochester, Minnesota, conducting the enterprise for some time with signal success. He also became the owner of a farm, to the operation of which he gave his personal supervision, but having become tired of the cold winters of Minnesota he removed to California in 1873. Locat- ing in Napa City, he there established a lumber business and was foreman of the yard for fourteen years.
In 1888 Mr. Wallingford arrived in Seattle and here began dealing in real estate. He has principally handled his own property at Green Lake, where he has platted eighty acres, a part of it in Wallingford Park and the remainder in Wallingford division to Green Lake. The land there is being rapidly built upon and improved and recently there has been erected a fine school at a cost of thirty-five thousand dollars. The Green Lake car line extends to his property, making only a twenty minute ride to the business portion of the city. Mr. Wallingford has made judicious investments and closely watching market values he has so handled his prosperity that it has brought him an excellent return upon his investment.
In 1857 occurred the marriage of Mr. Wallingford and Miss Arabelle J. De Groot, a native of New York city and unto them have been born a son and a daughter. Noble, whose home is in Seattle, is now engaged in mining in Alaska, while the daughter, Emma J., is now the wife of the Hon. William D. Wood, ex-mayor of Seattle and ex-judge of the probate court of King county. Mrs. Wallingford is a valued member of the Meth- odist church and our subject attends its services and contributes to its sup- port. In Seattle he built a family residence, which he afterward sold for twenty-seven thousand dollars and with his family he is now living in the beautiful suburb of Green Lake.
In politics Mr. Wallingford has ever been a faithful adherent of the Re- publican party, firm in his belief that its platform contains the best elements of good government. While residing in Minnesota he served for two years as deputy sheriff and in Seattle has twice been a member of the city council and for two terms was police commissioner. He belongs to the Society of
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Sons of the American Revolution, aided in organizing the Grand Army Post in Napa City, California, and since the formation of that society has been one of its worthy supporters. For more than twenty years he has been an exemplary member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and at all times is faithful to its teachings which inculcate a fraternal spirit. A man of strong indivduality and indubitable probity, one who has attained to a due measure of success in the affairs of life, and whose influence has ever been exerted in the direction of the good, the true and the beautiful, this honored veteran of the Civil war assuredly demands representation in this volume.
ALBERT L. KELSALL.
Albert L. Kelsall is president and manager of the Northwestern Iron Works, doing business at the foot of University street, in Seattle, and his enterprise is one of the paying industrial concerns of the city. A native of New Jersey, Mr. Kensall was born in Newark, February 10, 1859. His great-grandfather on the maternal side was Elias Hall, who was a scholar and literary gentleman of note in his day. He was the author of several works on geological subjects, one of which Mr. Kelsall now has in his pos- session and prizes very highly. His father, Henry Kelsall, was born in England and came to the United States in 1840. He was a hatter by trade and engaged in business along that line in the east until the Civil war began, when he volunteered in defense of the government of his adopted country, enlisting in the Twenty-ninth Regiment, New Jersey Infantry, for nine months' service, and on the expiration of that period he enlisted in the Thirty-third Regiment, New Jersey Zouaves, serving as a valiant defender of the Union cause until the close of the war, but he died from effects of his arduous army life, passing away at his home in Newark, New Jersey. He had married Miss Ann Vernon, a lady of English ancestry, and unto them were born eight children. After the death of her first husband, she married again and had three children by the second marriage. Of the first family, Theodore E., is secretary and treasurer of the Northwestern Iron Works.
Albert L. Kelsall was educated in the public schools, learned the ma- chinist's trade in Oskaloosa, Iowa, and has since made that his life work. He was for several years in Chicago and other important cities and in 1888 came to Seattle. After remaining in the city and watching business condi- tions and opportunities for six months he engaged in business with the Charles Hicks Company, and in 1897 bought out Mr. Hicks' interest and
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incorporated the Northwestern Iron Works, being associated with his brother, previously mentioned, Ole Stanwick and M. A. Kelsall. The firm manufactures all kind of marine, mill and mining machinery, and has se- cured a large and successful business.
In 1885, Mr. Kelsall was united in marriage to Miss May A. Perry, a native of Ohio, and they have three children: Harry Cadwallader Kelsall, who was born in Oskaloosa, Iowa, Ray Roland Kelsall and Lillian Altheo Kelsall, who are natives of Seattle. Mrs. Kelsall is a member of the Meth- odist church, but Mr. Kelsall gives his preference to the Congregational church. He is a very prominent Mason, having been initiated into the mys- teries of the Order in Tri Luminar Lodge, No. 18. F. & A. M., of Oskaloosa, Iowa. He now affiliates with Eureka Lodge, No. 20. of Seattle, and of this lodge he is a past master. He belongs to Oriental Chapter, No. 19. R. A. M., and to Seattle Commandery, No. 2, K. T., and in all of these he is a valued working member. In the Scottish Rite he has attained the thir- tieth degree, and is also a member of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, his membership being in Afifi Temple, at Tacoma. Thus he has gained a knowledge of almost all that is to be learned in con- nection with the great fraternity and the teachings of the craft which pro- mote all that is uplifting, ennobling and helpful in life. In politics he has always voted with the Democracy but is not bitterly partisan and desires the best interest of the country, no matter along what avenue the advancement is secured and promoted.
JOHN FIELD.
Among the citizens of Kent to whom is vouchsafed an honored retire- ment from labor, as the reward of a long, active and useful business career, is John Field, who through an extended period has been connected with the interests of King county. He was born in Kent, England, on the 20th of November, 1837. a son of Peter and Betsy (Sullow) Field, both also natives of that place, the father born in 1802 and the mother in 1817, and there they spent their entire lives, the father being called to his final rest in 1870, while the mother survived until 1885.
John Field received his early education in the parish schools of his native ·place, and later attended a private boarding school in that city He remained on the old home farm with his parents until 1860, and in October of that year came to America, spending the first year here on a farm in New Jersey. In the spring of 1862 he removed to Sussex. Waukesha county, Wisconsin,
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where in the following August he enlisted for the Civil war, joining the Twenty-eighth Regiment, Wisconsin Infantry, with which he served for three years, being mustered out at Brownsville, Texas, in August, 1865, while his discharge was received at Madison, Wisconsin, shortly afterward. After a short visit at his former home in Sussex, Wisconsin, Mr. Field located at Pine Bluff, on the Arkansas river, where he was employed as overseer of a large force of negroes on a cotton plantation during the winter of 1865-6. For the succeeding five years he worked in the lumber camps of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and for three months during the year of 1874 he found employ- ment in the vineyards of Santa Cruz and San Jose, California. His next place of residence was at Port Gamble, Washington, to which place he re- moved in the fall of 1874, and for the following six months was engaged as a watchman in the sawmills there. In May, 1875, he took up his abode in Seattle, and in the fall of the same year rented a farm in the White river val- ley, four miles from the present town of Kent, where he followed agricultural pursuits until 1890, and during this time also secured residence lots in Kent and Seattle and a small farm in Lewis county, but in 1891, on account of ill health, he sold his entire possessions and for the following two years was an inmate of the Soldier's Home at Orting. Since 1893, however, he has made his home in the beautiful little town of Kent, where he owns a pleasant and attractive home. His energy and enterprise, capable management and honor- able dealings brought to him a comfortable competence, and therefore he is able to put aside all business cares and rest in the enjoyment of the fruits of former toil.
At Sussex, Wisconsin, in April, 1867, Mr. Field was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ann Greenland, who was born in Vermont in 1837, and was of English descent. Her death occurred at Eau Claire, Wisconsin, in 1872, leaving one child, William T. Sherman Field, who is now engaged in agricul- tural pursuits in Waukesha county, that state. At Kent, Washington, in 1896, our subject was again married, Mrs. Georgiana Ziegler becoming his wife. She was born at Paducah, Kentucky, on the 12th of May, 1849, but when a child was taken to Indiana and afterward to Illinois, where, in Gal- latin county, in 1866, she was married to John N. B. Coombs, a farmer. He was called to his final rest in 1872, and at Harrisburg, Illinois, his widow was married to Eli Ziegler, who departed this life on the 3d of January, 1894. In the following year she came to Kent, Washington, and in this city, in 1896, she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. Field. By her first marriage she be- came the mother of two children: Lillie, the wife of Ed Richardson, of Kent. and William, also of this city. Unto the union of Mr. and Mrs. Ziegler
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five children were born, namely: Eva, who became the wife of Edward Zeeum, of Kent: Anna, the wife of Oliver Cavanaugh, of this city; and Stella, Lulu and James R., at home. In his political affiliations Mr. Field is allied with the Democracy, but during Lincoln's second race for the presidency he supported the Republican party, his vote being cast at Little Rock, Ar- kansas, where he balloted with one hand while with the other he held his musket. During his residence in the White river valley he served for twelve years as constable. In his fraternal relations he is a member of Hiram Ver- non Post. No. 76. Grand Army of the Republic, in which he is serving as senior vice commander. His reputation in business has ever been unassailable, and in all the walks of life he is found true to duty and to the trusts reposed in him.
WILLIAM ARNEY.
William Arney is the senior member of the firm of Arney Brothers, dealers in general merchandise and also extensively interested in dairy farm- ing and other enterprises at Kent and Blaine, Washington. He was born in Somersetshire, England, on the rith of April, 1862. His father, Jesse Arney, was born in the same locality in 1819, and his death there occurred in 1886. He, too, followed the vocation of farming, and he obtained an honor- able position in the business of the community. The mother of our sub- ject, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Duckett, was also born in Somerset- shire, in 1838, and in 1888 she came with her family to America, locating at Forest, Livingston county, Illinois, where she made her home until 1890. In that year the family came to Kent, Washington, and she now resides on the farm owned by her son William.
William Arney went to New South Wales, Australia, in ISSo, where he was engaged in the dairy business for four years and after his return home he accompanied the family on their removal to the new world. In 1890, with the other members of the family, he came to Washington where during the first year he was employed on the Hewett farm, one mile south of Kent, and during the following two years he farmed that place as a renter. In 1902 he became the owner of one hundred and forty-five acres of land one mile south of Kent, where he and his mother still make their home. Forty acres of the place have since been sold in small tracts, and until May, 1902, the remainder of the place was devoted to dairying purposes, but since that time they have carried on general farming. This is one of the banner farms of the valley. In 1901 three of the Arney brothers, William, John and Frank, purchased
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a dairy farm of two hundred and seventy acres near Blaine, Washington, where they keep one hundred milch cows and also carry on general farming, the place being under the management of John Arney. William and Frank, as partners, have a forty-acre farm on Suise creek, three miles from Kent, on which is a large cheese factory, established in 1901, and they there handle from four to five thousand pounds of milk daily. In 1896 the two brothers also established a general mercantile store on Front street, in Kent, and in 1901 they purchased their present handsome and commodious store building on that street, this being one of the most important mercantile establishments in the White river valley. With the exception of a prospecting tour to Alas- ka in 1900, William Arney has resided in Kent continuously for twelve years, and during all this time he has so lived as to win and retain the friendship and esteem of all with whom he has come in contact. His political support is given to the Republican party, and in his fraternal relations he is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, of Kent.
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