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 4
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HENRY W. MARKEY.
Henry W. Markey is the owner and manager of the Commercial Street Boiler Works of Seattle and now stands at the head of one of the excellent industrial concerns of the city, being extensively engaged in the manufac- ture of steam boilers of every description, from the smallest in size to the very largest. Desiring to make Seattle the base of his business operations he arrived in this city in 1887, when it was comparatively a sma !! place, but it then gave promise of reaching its present metropolitan proportions. Mr. Markey arrived here and began working at his trade of boiler making for Mr. Penny, being thus employed for a year and a half and then recogniz- ing the splendid business openings in the Queen city of the northwest he established a business of his own on King street and had entered upon a prosperous career when the great fire swept over the city on the 6th of June, 1889. He thereby met with very heavy losses and to a mian of less resolute purpose such a disaster would have been utterly discouraging, but Mr. Markey did not give way to discouragement or let misfortune triumph over him. He purchased his present location, erected his shops and soon had all the business he could attend to, his trade taxing the capacity of his plant to the utmost. He manufactures all kinds of marine and mill boilers, also sheet iron work of every description. He is a thorough and practical mechanic himself and is therefore capable of superintending the labors of the men whom he employs. He gives close attention to the work and the fullest satisfaction is guaranteed, so that his liberal and honorable business
Hurwarty
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methods have secured for him a well earned success and a wide and favor- able acquaintance in Seattle.
This enterprising citizen was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on the roth of September, 1855, and is of Scotch and Irish ancestry. His par- ents were Patrick and Mary (McKensie) Markey, who when young people came to Canada and were there married. Unto them were born eight chil- dren, three of whom reside upon the Pacific coast: James, a contractor and builder of Seattle; John, a mason, residing in San Francisco, and Henry W. The parents have both passed away.
Henry Markey received his education in the public schools of Milwau- kee, Wisconsin, and after putting aside his text books he learned the trade of boiler making there. After mastering the business and gaining a good practical knowledge of the work in all its departments he removed to Grand Forks, South Dakota, where he opened a shop, conducting it for three years prior to his arrival in Seattle. From the time he came to this city his ad- vancement in business affairs has been continuous and the passing years have credited to his account a splendid success.
In 1891 Mr. Markey was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Cahill, a native of Wisconsin, and their union has been blessed with four children : Francis, Joseph, Henry and Helen. In his political views Mr. Markey is a Republican, but has neither sought nor desired political preferment, his attention being full occupied by his business interests and the enjoyments of social life. His history is an illustration of what may be accomplished through determined purpose, indefatigable energy and straightforward busi- ness methods.
EDWARD C. KILBOURNE.
Prominent among the energetic. far-seeing and successful business men of western Washington is the subject of this sketch. His life history most happily illustrates what may be attained by faithful and continued effort in carrying out an honest purpose. Integrity, activity and energy have been the crowning points of his success and his connection with various business enterprises and industries has been a decided advantage to this section of the state, promoting its material welfare in no uncertain manner. Seattle owes much to his efforts, for his varied business interests have been of such a character as to promote the general growth, upbuilding and prosperity while leading to individual success.
Dr. Kilbourne is a native of Vermont. his birth having occurred at
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St. Johnsbury on the 13th of January, 1856. Far back into the early annals of England can his family history be traced, for there are records con- cerning the Kilbournes as early as 1000 A. D., while the connection of the family with America dates from 1640, at which time representatives of the name became residents of Boston. Everet Horatio Kilbourne, the father of the Doctor, was born in Berkshire, Vermont, in 1823, and became a very prominent member of the dental profession, his superior skill and ability winning him marked prestige which made him known throughout the coun- try. . After his removal westward he served as president of the Illinois Dental Society and of the American Dental Association. It was in 1858 that he took up his abode in Aurora, Illinois, where he spent his remaining days. his research and investigation in the line of his profession enabling him to advance its interests and promote the efficiency of the labors of its repre- sentatives throughout the country. Dr. Kilbourne was united in marriage to Miss Frances A. Stone, a native of Chelsea, Vermont, and a daughter of Colonel Stone, who commanded a regiment in the Revolutionary war. his loyalty to the cause making him a valued soldier. Unto Dr. E. H. Kil- bourne and his wife were born five children, all of whom are yet living.
Dr. Edward Corliss Kilbourne was the third in order of birth. He was educated in the public schools of Aurora, Illinois, and under the direc- tion of his father he studied dentistry, which he practiced for ten years before his removal to the west He was fortunate in having a preceptor whose knowledge was so broad and accurate and thus he laid the foundation for a successful career in his chosen profession. In 1883 he arrived in Seattle, and for five years continued the practice of dentistry, winning an extensive patronage. He also organized the State Dental Society, was elected its first secretary, and was instrumental in securing the passage of the first law in the territory regulating the practice of dentistry, which was the means of maintaining a high standard in the profession and preventing char- latanism from gaining a hold here. He had the honor of being the presi- cient of the first territorial board of dental examiners, and during his active connection with the profession he was one of its most interested and able representatives.
Becoming deeply impressed with the great future before Seattle, in 1888 he retired from the practice of dentistry in order to give his attention to the promotion of various enterprises intended to advance the city's growth and progress. Fortunate has it been for the city that he took this step, for his sagacity, prescience, enterprising and unconquerable energy have proven a most potent element in the upbuilding of Seattle-so aptly termed the "queen of
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the west." He became extensively interested in city real estate and has handled much valuable property. He was one of the organizers of the first success- ful electric railway system on the Pacific coast and in the United States, and was thus largely instrumental in the upbuilding of the prosperous town of Freemont, suburb of this city. The new company formed was consolidated with the Seattle Street Railway Company, which was then operating its line with horses, and took the name of the Seattle Electric Railway & Power Com- pany. The line was constructed from Main street on Commercial, on James to Second avenue and to Pike, with a branch to Lake Union and another to the foot of Queen Ann hill, north. Dr. Kilbourne was first made secretary of the company, later its president and subsequently treasurer. He was also general manager of the Green Lake Electric Railway Company, and became a director and stockholder of the Freemont Milling Company, the Lake Union Transportation Company and the Standard Electric Time Company. In 1890 he became interested in another enterprise of much importance to the city, organizing the Pacific Electric Light Company, which soon absorbed the Commercial Light Company and later absorbed the Seattle General Electric Company, which was the original one. The company as thus formed became the Union Electric Company, with a capital of one million dollars, and having practically all the lighting of the city. Recently the Union Company united with the various street railway companies, form- ing the Seattle Electric Company, with a capital of eight million dol- lars, the Doctor being manager of the light and power department. The Doctor was also one of the original organizers of the company which is now the Denny Clay Company, extensive manufacturers of brick, terra cotta and other products. His business interests have been of so important and varied a character that they have been closely associated with the material development and progress of Seattle, and he seems to have realized at any one point of his career the full measure of success possible at that time. He forms his plans readily and is determined in their execution and always his labors have been in strict conformity to the highest standard of commercial ethics.
In 1886 Dr. Kilbourne was united in marriage to Miss Leilla Shorey, who was born at Steilaccom. Pierce county, Washington, and has lived at Seattle since early childhood. They are active and consistent members of the Plymouth Congregationa! church and are interested and valued workers in the Sunday-school. He was a trustee when the new church was built and was chairman of the committee that recently raised the thirty thousand dollars to clear the church property from debt. Both he and his wife enjoy the high
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regard of all who have the pleasure of their acquaintance and the hospitality of their pleasant home renders it a favorite resort. Mr. Kilbourne is one of the active members of the Young Men's Christian Association and does all in his power to promote its growth and welfare. In 1890 he was honored with an election to its presidency, was continued in that office for six years and is still a trustee, the society making satisfactory advancement during that time. Ile was one of the first to start the movement among the young men of the city to raise a fund of twelve thousand dollars with which to purchase a lot, on which they now have a fine and commodious home, the property having since largely increased in value, owing to the growth of the city. The Doctor was likewise interested in military affairs and became a charter member of the Seattle Rifles. His success in life can be unquestionably attributed to his untiring industry, energy and enterprise, as well as to his high integrity of character. He has never selfishly hoarded his means, but has always been a generous contributor to the support of all movements intended to advance the welfare of the city. "The liberal man deviseth liberal things and by liberal things he shall stand." No wonder that Seattle has become the queen city of the northwest when so many of her representatives have shown untir- ing devotion to her interests and have put forth every effort for her upbuild- ing. Moral, intellectual and material progress have all received encourage- ment from Dr. Kilbourne, and his worth to the community ranks him among ner most honored and respected men.
NEIL S. PETERSON.
The subject of this sketch was born on the sixteenth day of January. 1852, on the Island of Zeniand, Denmark. He passed his early boyhood on a farm. He attended the public schools of Denmark, from which he was graduated, after which he took a course of instruction under private tutors in the city of Copenhagen. This course included natural history studies and languages, and the English tongue and literature formed one of the principal features.
In 1870, Mr. Peterson left Denmark on a vessel bound via Cape of Good Hope for Australia, where he arrived in the spring of 1871, first landing at Brisbane, Colony of Queensland. He resided some years on the Island Con- unent. which he left in 1878 for San Francisco. In August, 1878, he went from San Francisco to Salt Lake City and joined his brother, J. C. Peterson, who had preceded him to America. The brothers thereafter engaged in a general merchandise business at Dillon, Montana, from which point their
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business followed the construction of the Utah & Northern Railway to Silver Bon Junction. They afterwards settled in Shoshone, Idaho, which was then the western terminus of the Oregon Short Line. Here they carried on a mercantile business until 1886, when they disposed of all their interests and removed to Seattle, where they entered into a general investment business. After the great fire of June 6, 1889, they dissolved partnership.
Neil S. Peterson took to the study of law and was in due time admitted to the bar. During his student days he served as clerk in charge of the pro- bate business in the office of the clerk of the superior court at Seattle. This service gave him close familiarity with probate practice, and a large propor- tion of his business since he entered upon independent practice has consisted in the settlement of estates. He is of a highly cautious temperament, a close and critical reader of statutes and decisions, and therefore particularly adapted to the conduct of a branch of practice requiring the utmost care and particu- larity. He is a most conscientious and trustworthy member of the bar, and commands in an eminent degree the respect of his professional brethren and of his clients.
Mr. Peterson was married in the year 1890. His wife died in 1896, leaving a son and daughter, respectively John Franklin and Eva Marion. He has not remarried.
Mr. Peterson was made a Freemason on March 27, 1878, in Australia, în Leinster Marine Lodge, No. 266 on the registry of the Grand Lodge of Ireland. From this lodge he took a demit and affiliated with Argenta Lodge, No. 3, Salt Lake City, from which in time he demitted to become a chiarter member of Bethany Lodge, No. 21, at Shoshone, Idaho. From this latter lodge he took a demit and affiliated on May 25, 1889. with St. John's Lodge. No. 9. Seattle, and ever since that time he has been closely identified with the work and history of that lodge. He served as its master in 1893, and has since 1897 continuously served as its secretary. His well known carefulness, accuracy and love of system have made him the model lodge secretary of the state of Washington. He has taken all the degrees of the York rite. On May 23d. 1888, he was exalted to the August degree of the Royal Arch in Seattle Chapter, No. 3. R. A. M. Here, too, he went to the top by sheer force of ability and character, and in 1894 presided over this chapter as MI. E. High Priest. Since 1897 he has served continuously as secretary of this chapter. lle was one of the charter members of Seattle Council. No. 6. Royal and Se- lect Masters, organized in 1894, and attained the highest position in it, that of Thrice Illustrious Master. In this section of Masonry he became the head of the organization in the state. In due time he was created a Knight
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Templar in Seattle Commandery, No. 2, of which he is still a member. Be- siles being a member of Lorraine Chapter, No. 6, Order of the Eastern Star, Mr. Peterson joined the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine in Afifi Temple at Tacoma, and he still retains his membership there. Hle is also a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. The char- acteristic of his mind in lodge as well as in other work which he undertakes is thoroughness. He does nothing by halves ; he hesitates at no labor neces- sary to render himself perfect in any part or position which he assumes. He is very highly esteemed among his brethren of the Mystic Tie, as he is in the community at large.
FRANKLIN A. BUCK.
When the discovery of gold in California attracted to the Pacific coast men from all sections of the country Franklin A. Buck made his way with others to the mining regions, and the history of those days in the carly annals of the state which now read almost like a fairy tale is familiar to him through practical experience. Since 1889 he has been identified with business inter- ests in Seattle, and as the years have passed prosperity has attended his efforts and he is now a citizen of affluence.
Mr. Buck was born in 1826 at Bucksport, Maine, a town named in honor of his great-grandfather, Jonathan Buck, who was the first settler there and owned the land on which the village was built. He had removed from Haverhill, Massachusetts, to the Pine Tree state, and was of English descent, his ancestors having arrived in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1636, William Buck having been the progenitor of the family in the new world. Jonathan Buck served as a colonel in the Continental army during the Revolutionary war and his house was burned by the British, but his efforts were not in vain, the glorious victory of the American arms giving rise to the greatest republic on the face of the globe. . \!l of the early members of the Buck family were Puritans in their religious faith. Daniel Buck. the grandfather of our sub- ject. was born in Haverhill, Massachusetts, and wedded Mary Sewall, a daughter of Colonel Dummer Sewall. a prominent ship builder who also owned a number of vessels. Daniel Buck carried on merchandising and farming. He had inherited one hundred acres of land, an equal share going to cach of the children of the great-grandfather's household. Daniel Buck died in the seventieth year of his age.
Rufus Buck, the father of our subject, was also born in Bucksport. in 1797. He became a prominent business man and had a sawmill and store.
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He married Sarah Somerby and they spent the entire period of their married lives in Bucksport. The father was a very prominent and influential citizen and was honored with public office, serving as collector of customs and as a member of the state legislature. He died in 1878, at the age of eighty-two years, and his wife passed away at the age of seventy years. They were members of the Congregational church, and in their family were three children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the only survivor.
Franklin A. Buck spent his early life in the town of his nativity and after attending the common schools became a student in Phillips Academy, at Andover, Massachusetts. At the age of twenty years he left home and started out to make his own way in the world, going to New York city, where he remained until January, 1849. In the previous fall gold had been discovered on the Pacific coast and in the hope of readily acquiring a for- tune men were making their way to that district from all sections of the country. Mr. Buck joined the California argonauts and also sailed in search of the golden fleece on the brig George Emery for San Francisco. He went as supercargo. They made the long passage around the Horn in safety, arriving in San Francisco, on the 6th of August, 1849. Mr. Buck then left the ship and went to Weaverville and Downeyville, being engaged in placer mining in 1850, 1851 and 1852, but he only met with ordinary success, and resolved that he would seek a fortune in some other way.
In 1855 Mr. Buck built a sawmill in Trinity county, on the north fork of the Trinity river, and his lumber sold for fifty dollars per thousand feet at the mill. He continued to prosper in this undertaking until 1858, at which time he returned to the east by way of the Isthmus of Panama. He remained in the east for a year, during which time he was married at Bucksport, to Miss Jennie M. Pierce, a native of that town. He brought his bride with him on his second trip to California, and for seven years re- mained at Weaverville, during which time two children were born to them : Arthur, now in business in Seattle, and Emma Louise, the wife of Homer F. Norton, of Seattle. Two other children were afterward added to the family : Mary Sewall, who was born in Red Bluff, California, and is now the wife of B. T. Carr, of Seattle; and Rufus, born in Pioche, Nevada.
In 1866 Mr. Buck removed with his family from Weaverville, Cali- fornia, and spent three years in Chico and Red Bluff. that state, where lie was engaged in buying and selling stock. In 1869 they removed to Pioche, Nevada, where he continued his stock business for ten years. He had a cattle ranch and was also interested in mining enterprises and in lumber- ing. His next place of residence was at Napa Valley, California, where he
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had charge of a large ranch of five hundred acres and did all kinds of farm- ing. He also engaged in the manufacture of wine there. In 1889 he came to Seattle, bringing with him a stock of California wine, and engaged in the sale of that product, his business ultimately developing into an exten- sive wholesale liquor business. It is now incorporated and his son Arthur is the president and manager, while Mr. Buck is the vice president. Since 1898, however, he has been practically retired from active business, save that he is engaged in loaning money and in the supervision of his private interests.
In 1899 Mr. Buck was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife. She was devoted to her family and her place in the household is one which can never be filled, while many friends outside of the family also miss the com- panionship of Mrs. Buck. Mr. Buck is a member of the Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, and in politics he has been a Republican from the organization of that party. He has built several residences in Seattle, and has great faith in the future of the city. Coming to the Pacific coast among the '49ers he is one of the honored pioneers of this portion of the country and is very widely known and honored.
HENRY L. SIZER.
Henry L. Sizer, one of Seattle's thoroughly reliable business men, act- ively engaged in the real-estate and insurance business, was born in Fonda, Montgomery county, New York, on the 14th of February, 1853, and was descended from Holland ancestry who settled in central New York at a very early day, becoming pioneers of that part of the state. Edwin Sizer, father of our subject, was born in Montgomery county, and through his business career carried on merchandising and farming. He was a devoted member of the Dutch Reformed church and a man of sterling worth, reli- able in business and trustworthy in all life's relations. He married Miss Anna Mariah Loucks, who was born in his own country and was also of good old Holland stock, which became so prominent in the settlement of tl. Empire state. Both the Sizer and Loucks families were represented in the Revolutionary war by those of the name who espoused the cause of the col- onies and fought for American independence. The mother of our subject departed this life in the fiftieth year of her age, while Mr. Sizer reached the age of sixty-seven years. They were quiet, industrious people, who had many friends and no enemies and their memory is still enshrined in the hearts of many who knew them. They were the parents of three children,
A. Lo, Said
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two of whom are living. The daughter, Mrs. James M. Cole, resides at the old home in Fonda, New York.
Henry L. Sizer was educated in the public schools of his native town and in academies at Poughkeepsie and Geneva, New York, and began his business career as a representative of mercantile interests. Ile continued in that business for a number of years in the east and in the fall of 1890 he came to Seattle and established a fire insurance agency, to which a little later he added the life insurance business and subsequently extended the field of his labors by adding a real-estate department. By persistent and hon- orable effort he has gradually assumed a paying business. He has become an investor and handles real estate both on his own occount and for others. He is also general agent for a number of strong insurance companies, includ- ing the Pennsylvania Mutual Life and the old Quaker Company. As a business man and citizen he has earned an enviable reputation.
Mr. Sizer was happily married, in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1878, to Miss Ida May Manning, a native of Louisville, Kentucky, and a daughter of Edward Manning of that state. The union has been blessed with four sons : Glen Dumont, Harry Edward, Burton DeBaun and Lawrence Manning. Mr. and Mrs. Sizer are valued members of the Plymouth Congregational church, of which he is one of the deacons and superintendent of Sunday- school. He has also served as state secretary of the Young People's Soci- ety of Christian Endeavor, of the State Sunday-school Association and of the Washington Bible Society. He is also a member of the Law and Order League of Seattle and the Anti-Saloon League, taking an active interest in everything tending to promote moral development and uplift humanity. During the twelve years of his residence in Seattle he has become widely I:nown in connection with such work, and as a member of the Chamber of Commerce he is brought in touch with the business interests of the city.
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