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 39
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tive business men of the city of Seattle, being prominently concerned in industrial enterprises of marked scope and importance and having shown that inflexible integrity and honorable business policy which invariably be- get objective confidence and esteen1. Progressive, wide-awake and discrim- inating in his methods, he has achieved a notable success through normal channels of industry, and to-day is president, treasurer and manager of the Claussen Brewing Association at Interbay, a suburban district of Seattle, and also vice-president of the Diamond Ice & Storage Company, whose busi- ness has likewise extensive ramifications.
Mr. Claussen is a native of the province of Holstein, Germany, where he was born on the 13th of November, 1861, being a son of Caecilia M. and Peter Jacob Claussen, representative of stanchi old German stock. Our subject prosecuted his studies in the schools of his native province until he had attained the age of ten years, when he accompanied his parents on their emigration to America, the family locating in the city of San Francisco, Cali- fornia, where he continued his educational work, as did he later in Dixon, that state, the family home having been on a farm for the greater portion of his youth. After completing the curriculum of the high school he entered a business college, where he finished a thorough commercial course and thus amply fortified himself for taking up the active duties of life. In 1882 Mr. Claussen took a position as bookkeeper for the Fredericksburg Brewing Company in San Jose, California. In 1884 he began learning the details of the brewing business, and later he passed about two years in the employ of the National Brewing Company of San Francisco, gaining a thorough ex- perience in all branches of the industry and thus equipping himself in an ad- inirable way for the management of the important enterprise in which he is now an interested principal. In 1888, in company with E. F. Sweeney, Mr. Claussen effected the organization of the Claussen, Sweeney Brewing Com- pany in Seattle, and business was conducted under that title until 1893, when the company disposed of the plant and business. In 1892 Mr. Claussen associated himself with Messrs. Charles E. Crane and George E. Sackett in the organization of the Diamond Ice & Storage Company, of which our sub- ject became vice-president at the time of its inception and in that office he has since served, the enterprise having grown to be one of importance and ex- tensive operations. In March, 1901, was formed a stock company which was incorporated under the title of the Claussen Brewing Association, with a capital of fifty thousand dollars, which was later increased to two hundred and fifty thousand, and the company erected a fine brewing plant at Interbay and have here engaged in the manufacture of a very superior lager beer, the
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excellence of the product and the effective methods of introduction having gained to the concern high reputation and a most gratifying supporting pat- ionage, which extends throughout Washington and contiguous states. The equipment of the plant is of the most modern and approved type and in every process and detail of manufacture the most scrupulous care is given, insur- ing absolute purity, requisite age and proper flavor, so that the popularity of the brands of beer manufactured is certain to increase. The annual ca- pacity of the brewery is sixty thousand barrels, and the plant is one of the best in the northwest, the enterprise being a credit to the executive ability and progressive ideas of the gentleman who inaugurated the same.
Mr. Claussen has been a resident of Seattle since 1888, and from the start he has maintained a lively interest in all that concerns the progress and material prosperity of the city, being known as an alert and public spirited citizen and able business man, and holding unqualified confidence and esteen in the community. He has been an active factor in the councils of the Demo- cratic party, but in local affairs maintains a somewhat independent attitude, rather than manifesting a pronounced partisan spirit. In 1901 he was the Democratic nominee for member of the lower house of the state legislature, but as the district in which he was thus placed in nomination is overwhelmn- ingly Republican in its political complexion he met defeat, together with the other candidates on the ticket. Fratenally he is prominently identified with the Fraternal Order of Eagles. the Seattle Turnverein society and the Ger- man Benevolent society, in each of which he has held office. He was also one of the organizers of the Mutual Heat & Light Company in 1902, and has ever stood ready to lend his influence and definite co-operation in support of legitimate business undertakings and worthy projects for the general good. In 1892 he erected his fine residence on Boren avenue, and this he still owns, though he now makes his home at Interbay, in order that he may be more accessible to the brewery, over which he maintains a general supervision. He is a young man of forceful individuality and the success which has been his indicates most clearly his facility in the practical application of the talents and powers which are his. In the city of Seattle, on October 10. 1891, Mr. Claussen was united in marriage to Miss Emma Meyer, who was born in Hamburg, Germany.
REV. FRANCIS N. PREFONTAINE.
The tales of romance and adventure do not contain any more remark- able facts than does the history of the men who, in behalf of religious prin- ciples, carried their work into the wild districts of the west to reclaim it for
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purposes of Christianity. Rev. Francis X. Prefontaine established the Catholic religion in Seattle and has been untiring in his work in behalf of the church. He is now the pastor of Our Lady of Good Hope, at Third avenue south and Washington street, which church was established by him and has been developed to its splendid proportions through his earnest and conse- crated efforts.
Father Prefontaine was born in Montreal, Canada, in 1838, and his parents were natives of that country. He pursued his literary education in Nicolett College, which is located midway between Quebec and Montreal. He finished his studies there in 1859 and then matriculated in the LeGrand Seminary, of Montreal, pursuing a theological course, and was one of three hundred students. On the 20th of November, 1863, he was ordained at the seminary and afterward started immediately for the Pacific coast by way of the Isthmus of Panama, six weeks being consumed in making the trip. However, he arrived safely on Puget Sound and was the first priest ap- pointed to labor for the white people of this northwestern district, a few mis- sionaries having previously begun their labors among the Indians. Father Prefontaine resided first in Steilacoom, where a military post had been es- tablished. After ten months spent at that point he removed his head-quarters to Port Townsend, and visited the entire Sound country from that place, traveling in canoes with the Indians and sleeping on the shores of the streams wherever night overtook them. A\ trip of this kind covered three of four months. In 1867 he decided that there was no bright future for Port Town- send and, although Seattle comprised only about five hundred inhabitants, he believed that there was a spirit of Christian development here that was bound to conquer in the end and he decided to locate at this place. He therefore rented a residence on Third avenue between Jefferson and James streets, a building containing three rooms, and he converted two of them into a chapel. At his first meeting there were but three people in attendance, but through personal effort he soon secured the attendance of many others and the church gradually grew both in numerical and spiritual strength.
In the winter of 1868-9 Father Prefontaine began clearing the ground upon which his church now stands. It was all covered with timber and it required the combined labors of three men for three months to clear the four lots. One tree which Father Prefontaine cut down himself towered to the height of two hundred and twenty feet and he used it in the foundation of the church. It required him two days, however, to fell this tree. There was a creek crossing the place and this fact had been recognized by the sailors of the Decatur, when, in 1856, that sloop of war came to the relief of the settlers
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who were in sore straits because of the Indian attacks. The sailors set a barrel to catch some fresh water here, and when clearing the land Father Prefontaine found relies of their visit; not only the barrel, but a couple of rusty bayonets and a large key ten inches in length which he holds as a relic of these troublesome times. It had probably been the key to the storehouse aboard the boat. Bullets and shells were also found on the land showing that 'this had been the ground where serious work had been done in pioneer times. In March, 1869, Father Prefontaine secured the material here from which to build the first house of worship, which extended thirty-six feet on Third avenue at the corner of Washington and extended back a distance of sixty feet. When completed the house had a seating capacity for one hun- tred people and had been erected at a cost of three thousand dollars. The building is now the center of the present church of Our Lady of Good Hope. This building was a large one for the time and was entirely finished inside with stucco work. In the erection of the building Father Prefontaine took a very active part as a carpenter, as a painter and even in carving the stucco work. There is some carving still in the building that he did many years ago. The building completed cost four thousand dollars, which sum was raised by fairs up and down the Sound. Father Prefontaine held a fair in Seattle at which he raised eight hundred dollars and other fairs were held at Port Gamble, Port Ludlow and Utsaladdy, and within about four months the entire sum of money needed was raised with the exception of about one thousand dollars. In 1882 it became necessary to enlarge the edifice and Father Prefontaine remodeled and rebuilt it as it now appears, executing this work at an outlay of sixteen thousand dollars. He retained the former build- ing and steeple, however, in the construction of the new house of worship. The building was completed in 1883. A pipe organ was acquired for it at a cost of twenty-five hundred dollars. This was the only parish in Seattle until 1889, when a new parish was formed and the church of the Sacred Heart was established and the building erected. In 1876 a contract to take care of the sick was secured from King county and Father Prefontaine called the Sisters of Providence to carry on the work. He then purchased a house and lot for the sisters and aided in transforming it into the first hospital, do- ing considerable work on the building himself.
In 1880 he persuaded the sisters of the Holy Name to come and take up the work of education, having in the meantime purchased a half block of land on Second avenue for sixty-eight hundred dollars. He then put up a build- ing between Seneca and University streets, crecting this for the use of the teachers. at a cost of three thousand dollars. In 1883, owing to the en-
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croachment of the business district upon the site of the school, it was sold for thirty-five thousand dollars and a block was purchased at Seventh and Jackson streets. Parochial schools were held in the basement of the church until 1890, when Father Prefontaine built the brick building on Sixth and Spring streets and then discontinued the holding of the school in the church basement. Along the lines of church work he has labored earnestly and his efforts have been of benefit in extending Catholic influence and work. He built the first church in La Connor, of which he was both the architect and the carpenter.
Father Prefontaine has a fine library, possessing literary tastes which have been met by extensive reading, making him a well informed man. In the early days he delighted to take a tramp through the woods with his gun and had not a little reputation as a successful hunter. It has been through this means and through reading that he has sought recreation from the stren- uous duties of his pastorate, but his energies have been given in an almost un- divided manner to his church work and the parish of Our Lady of Good Hope, now one of the strongest in the northwest, is the result of his energy and devotion to the cause of Christianity. He was a pioneer in introducing Catholicism into this city and this portion of the state, and the growth of the church here is largely due to his efforts.
MILO A. ROOT.
The ancestors of this gentleman were Englishmen and were among the early settlers of the Massachusetts Bay colony. His great-grandfather, Israel Root, was a Revolutionary soldier; he was a member of the Baptist church and lived to a good old age. His son Henry was a soldier in the second war with Great Britain, and one of the incidents of the war is fam- ily history. He had crossed the Niagara river with twenty companions to procure some fruit, but they were surprised by British cavalry and forced to a hasty retreat, tearing up the bridge to prevent pursuit ; the enemy opened fire, and one of their bullets came so close to Mr. Root as to cut off a por- tion of his beard, but the Americans with the aid of their artillery finally obliged the British to retire. After the war Mr. Root resided in Allegany county, New York, for the remainder of his life. It was in this last named county that William H. Root was born, but he later became a prominent farmer and stock-raiser of Barre Center, Orleans county, New York. He still resides there in his sixty-ninth year, and has passed a life of consider- able influence in his community. His wife was Miss Cordelia Halroyd. a
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native of Cortland county, New York, and daughter of Rev. William Hal- royd, a minister of the Baptist church; this gentleman was a fine scholar, especially well versed in the ancient languages, and of English descent. His wife was Amelia Knickerbocker, who was descended from one of the oldest Knickerbocker families of New York. There were seven children born of this union, and five are now living.
The only member of the family residing on the Pacific coast is Milo A. Root, who was born to the above mentioned parents while they were residing in Bureau county, Illinois, on January 22, 1863. He accompanied the family on their removal to Orleans county, New York, in 1876, and it was there that he finished his literary education, being a graduate of the Albion high school in 1882. He at once took up the study of the law with the Hon. John H. White, a prominent jurist of western New York and also of high standing in the grand lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in that state. Young Root also graduated from the Albany Law School, and also read law in the office of the present attorney general of New York, and in the fall of 1883 came to Olympia, Washington, and so thoroughly had he mastered his studies that in the following year, upon the report of the committee of examination, of which Judge Hanford was chairman, he was admitted to practice by Judge Hoyt. During the thir- teen years of his residence as a practicing attorney in Olympia he served. two years as probate judge of Thurston county, and was prosecuting at- torney for a similar period. Judge Root came to Seattle in 1897. and during the following year was in partnership with Judge Hoyt, but from then till January, 1900, he practiced alone; at the latter date the firm of Root, Palmer and Brown was organized, of which Judge Root is the senior member. He has been very successful in his law practice and is the attorney for many large corporations. As a Republican he has taken an active part in the campaigns, has been a member of the state conventions and of the Republican state central committees. He is a Royal Arch Mason, a mem- ber of the Elks, the Woodmen of the World, the Knights of Pythias and the Royal Arcanum.
In 1890 Judge Root was married to Miss E. Lansdale of Olympia ; her father was Dr. R. H. Lansdale, a prominent physician and one of the pioneer settlers of Whidbey Island, Washington; he was a warm friend and associate of General Isaac Stevens, the first governor of the territory. and assisted in negotiating many of the Indian treaties. Mr. and Mrs. Root are the parents of four children, Bernice C., Hortense M., Milouise and Anna E. Judge Root is the owner of considerable city property, and
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is interested in several companies, and has invested money for eastern capi- talists. He is a member of the Sons of the Revolution, and both he and his wife are members of the Congregational church. He is an enthusiastic Sunday-school worker, having for some years taught an interesting class numbering over one hundred young ladies and gentlemen.
HARALD BLEKUM.
The rough and precipitous land of Norway has ever been productive of the world's best seamen, the earliest records of history recounting the daring adventures of the hardy Norsemen in their viking ships; and some of this blood still flows in the veins of Captain Blekum, all his life a sailor and now manager of the firm, Stevenson & Blekun Tug Company, proprietors of the tugs Mystic, Harry S., Doctor, Oscar B. and Magda, and doing a general towing and jobbing business, furnishing ballots, renting skows and barges, of which they have a large number. W. H. Stevenson is the secretary and treasurer of the company.
Captain Blekum was born at Horten, Norway, November 30, 1865; the blood of his ancestors asserted itself early in life, and at the age of fourteen he went to sea as a deck boy on a deep sea voyage lasting about thirty-five :nonths, in the course of which he visited Scotland, England, Russia, the West Indies and Panama, and returned rated as a seaman before the mast. After his return he entered the school of navigation at Mandal, Norway, where he completed a thorough technical training and received first class papers. He then became mate of a vessel on a voyage to France and then re- turned to his home in Norway. His father, Olaus Blekum, had meanwhile removed to Lindesnaes, to take charge of the government lighthouse there. And here it may be well to speak a few words of the father of our worthy subject. He had started in the navy of Norway as a lad, and passing through all the various degrees he became an officer when King Oscar was yet a boy ; he was afterwards promoted to the lighthouse department and until 1878 was traveling inspector of the lighthouses; he was then placed in charge of the lighthouse at Lindesnaes, one of the largest in the world, which posi- tion he still retains. Our subject, after the event last mentioned. served as second mate of three different vessels, cruising to France and Spain and in the Baltic; he was soon promoted to first mate and engaged in navigation in the North Sea until 1884, in which year he came to America. From here he made three voyages in the Brittanic from New York to Liverpool. In the fall of 1884 he came to the Pacific coast and engaged in navigation on
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the Pacific until 1889. In that year Mr. Blekum took out his full naturalization papers, since which time he has been on the Sound; in 1890 he became mas- ter and commander of various vessels in the Sound coasting trade, among them the Michigan, Vulga, Chinook and the Mystic; and for the last three years he has been harbor pilot for all the large naval and merchant vessels. The present company was organized in 1890 as the Stevenson Tug & Barge Company, and Captain Blekum became a partner in 1893.
Mr. Blekum is one of the most thorough business meu and highly re- spected citizens of Seattle: he bears an enviable reputation as an expert navi- gator, and his long and successful experience as a seaman makes him abso- lutely reliable. His marriage occurred on the 8th of August. 1891, Minnie Thomson becoming his wife, and she was the mother of four children: Os- car, Clara, Edna and Karen Petrea. In the same year he erected his com- fortable and sightly residence at 1611 Tenth avenue, west, where he lives in the happy enjoyment of all the domestic comforts. Mr. Blekum was con- firmed and reared in the Lutheran church; in politics he has maintained an independent position. He is now candidate for Norwegian vice-consul in Seattle.
DAVID W. BOWEN.
The honored subject of this memoir is closely identified with the busi- ness interests of Seattle, and is now holding the important position of secre- tary and treasurer of the Puget Sound Sheet Metal Works. He is a native of the state of Ohio, born on the 8th of December, 1867, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (James) Bowen, also natives of the Buckeye state. Of their three children our subject is the only one who grew to years of maturity, and the days of his boyhood and youth were spent in the state of his nativity, where he received a liberal education in its public schools. He also became a student in Mount Union College, in which institution he graduated in 1887. During the two years succeeding his graduation he found employment with the Lacock Mill Company as manager of their sales department. The year 1889 witnessed his arrival in Seattle, and during his first eight months in this city he occupied the position of bookkeeper. Returning thence to Cleveland, Ohio, he was there engaged in a similar capacity for seven months, and since that time he has made his home continuously in Seattle, the first year after his return being spent with the MacDougall & Sons Company. After filling various other positions he was made deputy collector of internal revenues for the district of Oregon, and after three years of service therein lie resigned
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his position to establish the Puget Sound Sheet Metal Works, which was or- ganized on the 3d of March, 1901. This concern sustains an unassailable reputation in business circles and is one of the leading establishments of its kind in the city. Their large and well arranged factory is located on the water front at 1318-22 Western avenue, and their offices are at the same place. Mr. Bowen is a young man of exceptional business ability, and in trade circles he enjoys an enviable reputation.
The marriage of Mr. Bowen was celebrated in Seattle on the 25th of December, 1890, Miss Nettie V. Stevenson becoming his wife. She is a native of Pennsylvania. One son, Harry S., has come to brighten and bless their home. In his fraternal relations Mr. Bowen is a member of the Be- nevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of the Modern Woodmen of the World and is past regent of the Royal Arcanum. His political support is given to the Republican party, and although since attaining to mature years he has been an active worker in the ranks of his party he has never been an aspirant for political honors. He has been many times a delegate to the central committee. His life thus far has been a busy and useful one, characterized by generosity and kindness, by honor and integrity ..
CHARLES H. ALLMOND.
Throughout life Charles H. Allmond has been prominently identified with the interests of the Pacific coast country, and is to-day one of the lead- ing business men of Seattle. A native son of the Golden state, his birth oc- curred in the city of Sacramento on the 15th of August, 1857, and he is a son of John G. and Lydia (Douglas) Allmond, natives respectively of Mich- igan and New York. The father remained in his native state until his twenty-third year and then made his way to California, sailing on the first screw-steamer which rounded the Horn, the Sarah Sands. In June, 1850, he engaged in mining and prospecting, which he carried on in connection with mercantile pursuits until 1852. In that year he returned to the east and was there married, returning thence with his bride to the Golden state, where he followed agricultural pursuits until his life's labors were ended in death, in 1867. To Mr. and Mrs. Allmond were born five children, namely : George D., a prominent rancher in California: Mary H., the deceased wife of A. C. Snyder; Charles Il., the subject of this review; Katherine D., the wife of Mr. D. Hurlburt, of New York ; and Douglas, editor and proprietor of the Anacortes American at Anacortes, Washington.
Charles H. Allmond remained with his parents on their ranch until
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1867, when he accompanied the family on its removal to Sacramento, there making his home until 1880. His early educational training was re- ceived in the city schools of Sacramento, and when fourteen years of age he entered the old Sacramento Union office, in the capacity of a clerk, thus con- tinuing for the following three years. When seventeen years of age he was given employment in the shops of the Central Pacific Railroad at Sacramento, where he remained for five years, and during that time mastered the various . branches of the pattern maker's trade and became a proficient workman. The year 1880 witnessed his arrival in Seattle, his first work in this city be- ing in the Columbia & Puget Sound Railroad shops, under J. M. Coleman, from whence he entered the Washington Iron Works. In 1882, in com- pany with W. R. Philips, he established a foundry and machine shop on Sec- ond and Jackson streets, but in 1889 Mr. Allmond disposed of his interest there, and the concern afterward became known as the Vulcan Iron Works. Returning thence to his native state, he was for one year engaged in pros- pecting and mining in the Cascades, and in 1897 he went to Alaska, where for three years he resumed his mining operations. Prior to his removal to Alaska Mr. Allmond had served as foreman of the Moran Brothers pattern department for about five years, and after returing from the north again entered the same occupation, thus continuing until March, 1901. At that time he established his present business at 519 First avenue, south, but in January, 1902, removed to his present location. As a draughtsman and pattern-maker Mr. Allmond has built up a large and lucrative business, and has furnished most of the patterns for the various shops and foundries of the city. By his ballot he supports the men and measures of the Republican party, and has ever taken an active interest in all measures and movements pertaining to the advancement and upbuilding of the city of his choice, while on many occasions he has served as a delegate to conventions. He is widely and favorably known and is recognized as one of the representative men of his community.
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