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 3
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It was in the year 1880 that our subject became a resident of the north- west, at which time he removed to Portland, Oregon, and accepted the position of assistant comptroller of the Oregon Railroad & Navigation Com- pany. The following year he was made comptroller of the company and of the Oregon Improvement Company, and in 1886 he went to New York city as secretary and treasurer of the Oregon Railway & Navigation Com- pany, the Oregon Improvement Company, and the Oregon & Transconti- nental Company. Soon after this the Oregon Railroad was leased to the Union Pacific and the Oregon & Transcontinental Company had a change of management. Mr. Smith then left New York for Omaha to become gen- eral land commissioner for the Union Pacific Company, continuing in that capacity until 1889, at which time he returned to Portland, Oregon. as gen- eral manager of the Oregon Railway & Navigation Company. There he remained until 1890, when he came to Seattle and was made vice-president and general manager of the Oregon Improvement Company, which posi- tion he filled continuously until 1895, when he was appointed receiver of the company, acting in that capacity until 1897. He was then appointed general manager of the Pacific Coast Company, the successor of the Oregon Improvement Company, but in January, 1899, he left the company and has since given his attention to the supervision of his private interests: He is con- nected with a wholesale mercantile house in Portland, is also interested in milling and coal mining and has various other enterprises of importance. He is a gentleman of wide experience and marked executive ability and his business career proves conclusively what a power in the industrial world are enterprise, resolution and straight-forward business methods.
In 1880 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Smith and Miss Elizabeth
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McMullen, a native of Bloomington, Illinois, and unto them have been born five children, Myra, Elizabeth, Katharine, Charles Howard and Prescott Kirkland. The family are Presbyterians in religious faith and are held in high esteem, while their home is the center of a cultured society circle. As a Republican Mr. Smith takes a deep and abiding interest in the growth and success of his party and does everything in his power to secure reform in municipal government. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and is a most public-spirited citizen, co-operating in all measures for the general good.
ORVILL J. BELL.
One of the prominent and respected citizens of Seattle is Orvill J Bell, a man whose history furnishes a splendid example of what may be accom- plished through determined purpose, laudable ambition and well directed efforts. Starting at the very bottom round of the ladder, he has steadily worked his way upword, gaining success and winning the public confidence.
Mr. Bell was born in Calhoun county, Michigan, on the 12th of Febru- ary, 1847, and is of Scotch and Irish ancestry. His grandfather, Andrew Bell, was born in Scotland and came with his father to America, they be- coming early pioneers of Calhoun county, Michigan, where they secured twelve hundred acres of land. They became well and favorably known among the early settlers of that part of the state, and were prominent mem- bers of the Baptist church. The grandfather filled many positions of honor and trust in his locality. The father of our subject, Allison A. Bell, was born in Erie county, New York, in 1820, and as a life occupation he fol- lowed farming and merchandising. For some years he made his home at Olivet, Michigan, where he was connected with the college of that place, and was an active Republican in the early history of that party. He married Miss Mary Fish, also of Erie county, New York, and their union was blessed with two sons,-Merton A., now deceased; and Orvill J. The father was called from this life in the forty-fifth year of his age, and his loving wife passed away at the early age of twenty-seven years.
Orvill J. Bell received an excellent education in Olivet College, and when the time came for him to assume the duties of life on his own re- sponsibility he engaged in the tilling of the soil. In 1863, when the great Civil war was at its height and the demand for volunteers became urgent, this lad of seventeen years offered his services to his country, and in the Sixth Michigan Artillery he rendered valuable aid in the preservation of
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the Union. He participated in the engagements in the vicinity of Mobile, at Fort Morgan and Fort Gains. While engaged in service he received a sun- stroke, from the effects of which he has never fully recovered, but he con- tinted at his post of duty and at the close of the war received an honorable discharge. He served his country faithfully and well, and his war record is one of which he has every reason to be proud. Since the war iis business interests have been varied, and for the first few years after its close he fol- lowed the life of an agriculturist, while for a time thereafter he was engaged in the boot and shoe business. While a resident of Crawford county he was elected on the Republican ticket to the office of county clerk and register of deeds, thus serving for six years, and during that time he also read law under the preceptorship of Judge J. B. Tuttle. Admitted to the bar in 1889, he then began the practice of his chosen profession, and a short time after- ward was elected by his fellow townsmen to the position of prosecuting attorney of Crawford county. On account of impaired health. however, he was obliged to seek a change of climate, and he accordingly came to Se- attle, casting in his lot with the citizens of this favored section in 1893. He was thus obliged to resign the office he was so ably filling, and he arrived in this city entirely without means, but by indomitable perseverance he has worked his way upward from comparative obscurity to a position of afflu- ence. His first work here was in preparing kindling wood, for which he received ten cents a basket, and in a short time he was able to carry on this business in a wholesale way, supplying the grocery houses of the city. In 1895, however, his business was destroyed by fire, and he was again obliged to begin at the bottom round of the ladder, this time embarking in the cigar and tobacco business. In the same year he also engaged in the manufac- ture of apple cider and vinegar at 601 First avenue, south, beginning the business with a small hand press, but he now does both a wholesale and retail business. His success is largely due to his capable management. ex- ecutive ability, untiring efforts and firm purpose, and as the architect of his own fortune he has builded wisely and well.
The marriage of Mr. Bell was celebrated in 1869, when Miss Sarah E. Porter became his wife. She is a native of Jackson county, Michigan, and is of Scotch and Pennsylvania Dutch ancestry. Three children have been born unto this union,-Frank A., the prosecuting attorney of Mar- quette county, Michigan; E. W., an insurance man in the same county ; and Harry P., who is engaged in business with his father. . Ir. Bell is independent in his political views, voting for the men whom he regards as best qualified to fill positions of honor and trust, and he is a member of the
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Masonic fraternity, holding membership in both the blue lodge and chapter. He is also connected with the Knights of Pythias, the Foresters, the Star of Bethlehem and the Grand Army of the Republic.
GEORGE FREDERICK FRYE.
One of the most prominent and influential pioncer settlers who has long been connected with Seattle and her history is George Frederick Frye, who arrived on the site of this beautiful and progressive city in 1853. Ile is a native of Germany, his birth having occurred in Weiser, Hanover, on the 15th of June, 1833. He represents an old German family. His father, Otto Frye. was born in that country and passed his entire life there. For a number of years he served as burgomaster of his town and was a promi- nent and respected citizen. He married Sophia Pranga, also a native of the same locality. They were members of the Lutheran church. faithful to its teachings and were recognized as people of the highest respectability and moral worth. The father lived to be sixty-nine years of age, and the mother passed away in 1857. In their family were ten children.
George Frederick Frye was their seventh son, and in his native land he pursued his education until he had attained the age of sixteen years, when he emigrated to the new world. This was in 1849, and he made his way to the United States that he might have better business opportunities in this land. He located in Lafayette, Missouri, where his sister was then living. and began work as a farn: hand at eight dollars per month. He was indus- trious, honest and frugal and was willing to perform any service that would yield him an honest living He became an expert driver of oxen, and this rendered his services peculiarly valuable in the new country where he lived. He was butt nineteen years of age when, in 1852, he engaged to drive four yoke of oxen across the plains to Oregon in order to pay his passage. There were nine deaths in the party ere they reached their destination. for it was the year of the great cholera scourge, and along the line of travel were many newly-made graves. The party suffered the usual hardships and trials inci- dent to the trip. Their stock was at one time stampeded but they succeeded in recovering them, and in September the party arrived safely in Dallas, Ore- gon. Mr. Frye spent the winter there in charge of the stock belonging to Mr. Hayes, with whom he had made the journey, but most of the cattle died. In January, 1853, he reached Portland, Oregon. It was his intention at the cutset of the journey to go to the gold fields of California, but, like other members of the party. he was induced to make Oregon his destination. He
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spent three months in Portland, and during that time he used up the capital which he had brought with him. He then secured work in a livery stable at twenty-five dollars per month and board. It was small wages but much better than being idle, and as he did not have to pay his living expenses he was enabled to save some money. In the spring, in company with A. H. Butler, who had crossed the plains with him, he made his way to Olympia. Wash- ington. They took with them oxen with which to engage in getting out piles. They were accompanied by J. Ennis and E. M. Smithers, and. having no trouble with the Indians, they arrived safely at Alki Point, where Mr. Frye secured work at three dollars per day.
In 1855, however, the Indians began to threaten war and he was one of the volunteers who offered to protect the white settlers. At the time of the Indian attack on Seattle he was stationed at that place. He liad assisted in building the tort there and in sawing the lumber in the sawmill which was used in the construction of this house of defense. He was very active and helpful all during the time when great danger threatened the little settlement. After the war he operated the Vesler sawmill for almost ten years, and during six years of that time was in partnership with Arthur A. Denny as proprietor of the mill. the firm name being Denny & Company.
On the 25th of October, 1860, Mr. Frye was united in marriage to Miss Louisa C. Denny, a daughter of A. A. Denny. He was one of Seattle's first settlers and a citizen of very high reputation and influence who rightfully acquired the name of "father of the town." After their marriage Mr. Frye built a small house on the present site of the Stevens hotel. He had a tract of land there, forty feet square, for which he paid two hundred dollars. Their first home in Seattle was not a pretentious one, as it contained only three small rooms, but it was a pioneer period when luxuries and con- veniences were almost unknown and other buildings of the town were scarcely any better, while many were not so commodious. Mr. Frye opened a meat market and in his new enterprise met with a high degree of prosperity. He also established a bakery, and in this enterprise Mr. Denny was his partner. He applied himself so closely to his work, however, that his health failed and he was obliged to dispose of his bakery and abandon business for a long time in order to regain his lost strength. When he was once more able to become an active factor in industrial circles he engaged in steam-boating on the J. B. Libby. His first position was that of purser. but finally he became captain and commanded the boat for four years, during which time he was also mail agent. carrying the mail from Seattle to Whatcom and Sameyami. making one trip a week. During a period of very high water he almost
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lost his boat, which ran aground, and the expense of getting the vessel off amounted to ten thousand dollars.
Some time after this Mr. Frye obtained three hundred acres of land on White river and was engaged in raising hay and stock, also devoting considerable attention to the making of butter. Later, however, he sold the farm for seven thousand dollars and returned to Seattle, where, in com- pany with Mr. Denny, he conducted a tinshop. When he retired from that business he became a stockholder in a co-operation store of which he was placed in charge, conducting the business for about four years. He was then again taken ill and for a long time was in poor health. In 1884 he erected the Frye Opera Hall, a large building one hundred and twenty by one hun- dred and twenty feet. It was built of brick and was the first opera house in the town, but in the great fire of 1889 it was destroyed, causing him a loss of about eighty thousand dollars. He was ill at the time of the conflagra- tion but recovered so soon afterward that his friends often langhingly claim that the fire cured him. In the work of reclaiming Seattle after its destruc- tion he built the hotel Stevens, one of the finest blocks in the city, and is still its owner. He is also one-fourth owner of the Northern Hotel, which is a splendid business structure, and in addition he has a number of buildings on Yesler way, one of the best business and residence avenues of the city. With this fortunate pioneer the day of sniall things has passed away, and his large investments and business ability have made him one of the capitalists of the fair city which he has aided in building. He is now living retired, merely superintending his property interests. He was the pioneer meat-market man and baker of the city and also erected the first opera house here. Ilis love of music led him to establish the first brass band of the city, he per- forming upon the E flat horn.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Frve has been blessed with six children. namely: J. Marion, who is married and has two children: Mary Louisa. now the widow of Captain George H. Fortson, who was killed in the service of his country in Manila: Sophia S., who is living at home: George Arthur, who passed away when twenty-four years of age: Roberta G. anl Elizabeth. both at home. In politics Mr. Frye is a Republican and has served as a member of the city council. He and his family have a very ples sant home on Pike street, where they have resided for thirty-five years. No resident of Seattle enjoys in a higher degree the good will. respect and esteem of his fellowmen, or is more worthy of their regard than this honored pioneer, who for a half century has been an important factor in the improvement and up- building of Seattle.
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SETH W. CLARK.
The late trouble between the United States and Spain has given the younger generation of Americans a faint idea of the horrors and anxieties of war, but the great Civil conflict waged fiercely for four years between broth- ers of the north and south, people of one blood, similar aims and manners, essentially of one family. was a contest so terrible that the whole world looked on and shuddered, as the contestants were much more equally matched and the outcome of such vast moment. To the brave boys who wore the blue and fought for the Union. that their opponents are now glad was pre- served, tributes of praise are freely given by a grateful people, and none who went forth in defense of the country deserves them more than the subject of this biography.
Seth William Clark was born in Ellery, Chautauqua county, New York, on the 22nd of February, 1832, and is of English ancestry on the paternal side and of Scotch lineage on the maternal side. his ancestors having come to the United States at a very early period in American history, the date of their arrival being about 1680. A settlement was first made in New England, and later on the Hudson river, in New York. Abijah Clark, the grandfather of our subject, was born in 1754 and became an officer in the Revolutionary war, being with General Washington during the trying and ever memorable win- ter at Valley Forge. He was a great admirer of the commander, who justly came to be known as the father of his country. After the war Abijah Clark settled near Peekskill, New York, and when the subject of this review was a little lad of six years he often sat upon his grandfather's knee and listened to his stories of the Revolution. At that time his grandfather gave him three pieces of Continental script which are still in his possession and are a treasured heirloom. The grandfather removed to Ballston. Saratoga county, New York, and it was there that his son, Seth Clark, the father of our subject was born on the 20th of March, 1795. Very early in the history of Michigan the grandfather removed to that state and died at Ann Arbor in March, 1838. A part of the city of Rochester, New York, is built upon a farm which he once owned. Seth Clark was married, in Cayuga county. New York, to Miss Content Ingraham, a native of Massachusetts. born of Scotch parentage. Her father was a giant in stature. being almost seven feet high. He settled with his family in Schenectady county, New York, and served as an ensign in the war of 1812. participating in the defense of Buffalo. After the close of hostilities lie turned his attention to farming. In religious faith he was a Baptist and was an extensive reader and a broad-minde I man.
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Ilis life was a splendid example of morality to his children .und at his death, which occurred three days prior to the eightieth anniversary of his birth, he left to his family the priceless heritage of an untarnished name. His wife died in 1866, at the age of sixty-six years. In their family were five children, but only three are now living.
Seth William Clark was reared upon the home farm, working out through the summer months, as he aided in tilling the soil and harvesting the crops. In the winter he pursued his education in the little red school house. and later was graduated in a first-class academy and collegiate institute. Not desiring to follow the plow as a lite work, but wishing to devote his energies to a profession, he took up the study of law and was admitted to the bar just a short time before the great Civil war broke upon this country. In answer to President Lincoln's call for volunteers he at once enrolled himself as a private in Company C, Ninth Regiment, New York Cavalry, and was with his regiment throughout the war. He participated in the great battle of Gettysburg and went through that fearful ordeal without receiving a scratch. The regiment now has a granite monument on the battle field. He was wounded on the 31st of August. 1862, at the battle of Chantilla. being struck by a bullet in the right leg. He was off duty for a time, but remained with his regiment. On the 2nd of February, 1863, at Rappahannock Station, le sustained a gun-shot wound in the right shoulder which caused him to carry his arm in a sling, but he remained with his company and was on the skirmish line, using his sabre with his left hand. In a charge at Brandy Station on the 9th of Jane, 1863, he received a sabre wound on his chin, which was cut to the bone, and again he had to retire from active field serv- ice, but he declined to leave his regiment, and as soon as possible returned to active duty. While on the march in 1863 he was shot in the side by a bushwhacker, the ball lodging in his vest pocket. On the IIth of June, s864, at the battle of Trevillian Station, he was again wounded, and his right hip joint dislocated. He still carries this ball, and the wound has never healed. He laid on the battle field under an apple tree for five days and for some time was supposed to be dead but at last was carried to the old tobacco warehouse in Richmond, Virginia, by the enemy, after which he was put in Libby prison and remained there until fall. His bed was but the hard floor and his rations consisted of a small piece of corn bread once each day. Late in the fall of 1864 he was exchanged, and when he left the prison he was hardly more than skin and bones, so emaciated had he become through the hardships of southern prison life. He was exchanged for a man who had been well kept and could fight. In December, 1864, Mr. Clark was paroled
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and sent to the hospital at Annapolis, where he remained until the following spring. After entering the service he had only stood guard for two hours until he was promoted to the rank of corporal, and when mustered out he was first lieutenant. He would have been captam, but his commission was given to another man when he was reported dead, but in the spring of 1865 the governor of New York commissioned him a major. When the war was ended Mr. Clark went to Washington to settle his accounts with the government. He had hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of quarter- master's stores to account for, and up to the time that he was disabled by his last wound his accounts were found to be exact, and he was highly compli- mented upon his records, but after he was wounded so severely and held as a prisoner other officers' statements were taken and he had no trouble in the settlement. At Washington he was appointed to a clerkship in the govern- ment land office on December 23, 1865, and underwent a civil service examin- ation as a technical civil engineer and draftsman. He was first given a salary of twelve hundred dollars, after which he was promoted to sixteen hundred dollars, while subsequently his salary was raised to eighteen hundred dol- lars. He was chief clerk of preemption claims, chief clerk of the division of railroad lands and chief of the military boundary lands division, and was made recorder of the government land office in May, 1876. He served in that position for ten years and at times acted as commissioner. He had from fifty to one hundred and fifty clerks under his supervision and signed from seventy-five to one hundred thousand patents per year, but when a change came in the presidential administration his office was given to another. Sec- retary Lamar, however, appointed him to a clerkship in the pension office, in which he served until 1890, when his healthi failed and he resigned in order to come to the west, hoping that a change of climate would prove bene- ficial. Mr. Clark then opened a law office in Seattle as land and pension attorney and is now engaged in that department of practice.
On the 25h of December, 1866, Mr. Clark was united in marriage to Miss Nellie Maude Hall, a native of Maine, and unto them have been born two daughters, Cora Annetta, the wife of J. Albert Jackson, a resident of Dawson, and Gertrude Ingram, now the wife of Ernest Inglee Foster, also of Dawson. Mr. and Mrs. Clark are well known people of Seattle, and the hospitality of their pleasant home has made it a favorite resort with their many friends. They are valued members of the Episcopal church and take a deep interest in its work. Mr. Clark cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, and since that time has been a stanch adherent to the Republican party, believing firmly in its principles. He has been an active
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and highly esteemed member of the Grand Army of the Republic and served as commander of Stevens Post, No. 1. of Seattle. He also served as assistant adjutant-general for the department of Washington and Alaska. For seven years he was president of the King's County Emigrant Society, and during his residence in this city he has taken a deep interest in its welfare and growth, doing all in his power for its material advancement and substantial upbuild- ing. His has been an honorable career largely devoted to his country's service, either in military or civil office, and his loyalty and fidelity are among his most marked characteristics. No trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed in the slightest degree, and his fidelity stands as an unquestioned fact in his life. . As long as memory remains to the American people they will hold in grateful recognition the work accomplished by the boys in blue, and among the number who went in defense of the Union there was no truer or braver soldier than Seth William Clark.
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