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 43
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Mr. Geske has invested to some extent in property here, but sold all with the exception of some real estate in West Seattle and a forty acre ranch between this city and Issaquah. He also erected his own residence here in the fall of 1889, after the great fire. His home is presided over by a most estimable lady, whom he married in 1897, and who bore the maiden name of Catherine Pluitt. She is a native of La Crosse, Wisconsin, and they have one son, Frank. Mr. Geske has usually voted the Democratic ticket at state and national elections, but at local elections casts his ballot independently of party ties. He is an enterprising man, who, in his life displays many of the sterling characteristics of his German ancestry and though he started out up- on his business career with no capital, he realized that success could he earned through persistent effort and honorable dealing, and it has been along these lines that he has gained his standing in industrial circles.
LIVINGSTON B. STEDMAN.
From the classic walls of Harvard- the oldest university of America- have come some of the most distinguished men of the nation, and it has usually been found that her graduates have by upright lives, by leadership in business and activity in the world's affairs reflected credit upon their alma mater. Many times has Mr. Stedman joined in giving the old Harvard yell, as with his college mates he has taken part in some of the exercises of the in- stitution. He completed his law course there and to-day is a member of the firm of Hastings & Stedman. lawyers of Seattle.
Livingston Boyd Stedman was born in the city of Boston, Massachu- setts, February 2, 1864. His ancestral line traces back to an early day in the history of this country. The Stedman family is of Scotch origin and was founded in America in 1638. Its representatives have been largely found in mercantile life, although there has been one physician and one lawyer. Dan- iel B. Stedman, the father of Livingston, was also born in Boston, where the family is yet represented, and he is still actively engaged in merchandising there at the age of sixty-two years. Throughout his entire life he has been identified with church work and his influence and efforts in that regard have
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been very beneficial. He married Susan L. Boyd, a daughter of the Rev. George Boyd of Philadelphia, in which city she was born. She too came of one of the old families of America, her ancestors having located in this coun- try prior to the Revolutionary war. Her great-grandfather, Robert H. Liv- ingston, was a lieutenant in Henry Lamb's Second Regiment of Artillery in the Continental army from 1781 until 1783. Her father was a minister of the Episcopalian church.
In the family to which Livingston Boyd Stedman belongs there were four children, but he is the only one upon the Pacific coast. In early boy- hood he was a student in the old Mather school at Dorchester, which was the first public school established in the United States. Later he entered the Roxbury Latin school to prepare for Harvard and subsequently matriculated in the university, in which he was graduated with the class of 1887, at which time the degree of Bachelor of Arts was conferred upon him, while in 1890 his alma mater bestowed on him the degree of Master of Arts.
In the same year Mr. Stedman came to Seattle and entered the office of Colonel Haines, desiring to thus gain a start as a member of the legal pro- fession of this city. He remained with Colonel Haines until the latter's death in 1892, when he entered into partnership with E. C. Hughes and H. H. A. Hastings, this relation between them being maintained for about eigh- teen months. Since that time Mr. Hastings and Mr. Stedman have been associated in practice together and since the first few months have continu- ously occupied the same offices in the Haller block. They largely practice mortgage and corporation law, and during the hard times through which the city passed they had more business in those lines than any other firm of at- torneys in Seattle. They are now attorneys for the Scottish-American Mortgage Company of Oregon, the Port Blakeley Mill Company and many others. While Mr. Stedman has made the practice of law his real life-work, he has also extended his efforts into other lines and is one of the organizers of the Snohomish Logging Company, the Snohomish Investment Company, the American Lumber and Shingle Company, the Standard Investment Com- pany and the J. T. Steeb Shipping Company, of all of which he is the secre- tary. He also belongs to the Chamber of Commerce and has been very active in promoting enterprises which have contributed to the city's good.
In April, 1891, in Chester, Pennsylvania, Mr. Stedman was united in marriage to Ann B. Leiper, of Chester, Pennsylvania, and they have three sons : Daniel B., Lewis L., and Livingston B. In the fall of 1891 Mr. Stedman erected his present residence. The summer months are spent across the Sound, near Port Blakely, where he has built an attractive summer
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home. In politics he is a Republican, taking an active interest in local affairs as well as the important issues of the party. He has served as a delegate to most of the city and county conventions. While not a politician he has the welfare of the party at heart and has done considerable to secure its success. He belongs to the Phi Beta Kappa Society, is secretary and one of the organ- izers of the University Club, and is also identified with the Firloch Club, the Country Club, the Harvard Club and the Washington Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. He was one of the charter members of the Seattle Athletic Club, although he is not now identified with the organization, and he is a member of the Trinity Parish church, of which he formerly served as vestryman for a number of years.
GEORGE E. HALLOCK.
George E. Hallock is the general agent of the Union Mutual Life Insur- ance Company and is a member of the firm of Hallock & Smith, real estate and investment brokers, doing business in the Boston block in Seattle. His life history began on the 26th of February, 1854, when he first opened his eyes to the light of day in Kent county, Michigan. His father, Aaron E. Hallock, was born in New York in 1827, and in early life followed the mil- ler's trade. About 1837 he became a resident of Michigan and spent the greater part of his remaining days in Montcalm county, that state. He was a member of the Wesleyan Methodist church and an earnest Christian man, honored for his fidelity to his professions. He died at the age of forty-seven years. His wife bore the maiden name of Harriet Stevens, and they became the parents of four children, George E., being the only son. Abel Hallock, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was born in New York and at an early day emigrated westward, locating in the lower peninsula of Michigan when it was a very wild and unimproved district. There he engaged in hunting to a large extent, finding it a source of pleasure as well as of profit.
A public school education was accorded George E. Hallock in Michigan. He was afterward engaged in business in his father's milis until he was twenty-four years of age, when he went to Hillsdale county, Michigan, and took a course in electricity and telegraphy in Griffin Hall. He afterward re- moved to Illinois, where he engaged in railroad work with the Chicago & St. Paul Railroad Company, acting as telegraph operator and station agent. Fifteen years of his life were thus spent. and then he sought a home in the northwest, which has proved to him a good field of labor.
On coming to Seattle in 1893, Mr. Hallock asumed the general agency
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of the Union Mutual Life Insurance Company. He had purchased a return trip ticket on leaving home, intending to return, but after a couple of months spent in Seattle he resovled to remain. The company with which he had be- come connected was so well pleased with his services that they made him an excellent offer and he has since remained in charge of the business. While the company has since offered to him other positions probably more lucrative, he has preferred to make Seattle his permanent home. He has, however, taken up the business in other offices, and looks after the heavy interests of the company here. This company owns all of the sewer and water bonds of the city, and this item alone amounts to a very large figure. They also have in risks about eight hundred thousand dollars, most of which has been writ- ten since Mr. Hallock located here. In 1900 he formed a partnership with Mr. Smith and engaged in the real estate business as a member of the well known firm of Hallock & Smith. He has built and sold several mills in the northwest; one in Whatcom, another in Skagit county and a larger one in British Columbia. He has not given much of his personal attention to this, as he sold the controlling interests in the enterprises. He has also been iden- tified with the building interests of the city and his residence at 1515 Summit avenue is an attractive home. He also has two residences on Twenty-first avenue and one on Twentieth avenue.
In Michigan, on the 25th of February, 1878, Mr. Hallock marired Ame- lia D. Oakley, who is a graduate of Hillsdale college, having completed the scientific course. She was also an expert telegrapher and often assisted her husband in that work. They now have two sons and two daughters: Mat- tie L., who for five years has been a successful and popular teacher in the schools of Seattle; Edna, who taught for two years in this city; Raymond, who is a graduate of the high school of Seattle and is a member of the Young Men's Christian Association; and George Oakley, who is yet in school here. All of the family are members of the Congregational church, contributing liberally to its support and taking an active part in the work. In politics Mr. Hallock is a strong Republican and has been a delegate to nearly every city convention since his arrival in Seattle, but he has declined to accept office because it would demand too much of his time and attention. He has, how- ever, served as notary public for ten years. In 1894 he was admitted to the bar, but has never practiced, although his legal knowledge is of great benefit to him in his business affairs. The Masonic fraternity finds in him a pro- minent and leading member, and he belongs to Sycamore Lodge, F. & A. M., of Sycamore, Illinois. He is also a Knight of Templar and holds member- ship in the Oriental Consistory of Chicago and in Zurrah Temple of the Mys-
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tic Shrine at Minneapolis. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and to the Hoo-Hoos No. 2420, of the Lumbermen's Union. He has membership relations with Tent No. 8 of the Knights of Maccabees, with the Modern Woodmen of America and with Loraine Chapter of the order of the Eastern Star. His has been a successful career, and the enviable result that he has attained may be attributed to his own indomitable energy and the close and assiduous attention he has paid to the minute portions of his affairs.
FREDERICK K. STRUVE.
Frederick K. Struve of the firm of John Davis & Company, real estate and loan agents of Seattle, is one of the native sons of Washington, his birth having occurred at Vancouver on the 17th of June, 1871. He is a son of Judge H. G. Struve, one of the prominent pioneers and eminent residents of this state, having located here at a very early day, since which time he has been an active factor in the substantial improvement and progress of this por- tion of the state. The family having removed to Seattle, the subject of this review attended the public schools here and afterward spent two years as a student in the University of Washington. He then matriculated in the liter- ary department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, where he also remained for two years. In November, 1889. upon the organization of the Boston National Bank, he entered that institution in the capacity of clerk. and later as assistant cashier and thus served until April 1, 1898. He after- ward spent two years in the First National Bank and in 1899 he formed a partnership with John Davis in the real estate, loan and insurance business. The firm of John Davis & Company is now one of the best known in the city, and the volume of business annually transacted by them has reached exten- sive proportions. Since 1896 Mr. Struve has represented the German Sav- ings & Loan Society of San Francisco, which does the largest loaning busi- ness in Washington. The company also have a large mortgage loan client- age and their operations in real estate annually reach a high figure. They have platted the Highland addition, and Mr. Struve himself platted the Pettit addition, while the firm has platted the Yesler estate addition and built thereon the residences which have improved that section of the city. The general business of the firm, however, has been transacted in the down-town proper- ties, many of which they handle, having managed important sales and also attended to the rental of many of the leading business blocks. The renting department has become an important part of their business and requires eighteen employes, all of whom are employed on stated salaries. Each de-
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department of the business is managed by a competent superintendent, and all is systematized and in splendid working condition. Their transactions involve the handling of many thousands of dollars within the course of a month, and the business is hardly second to any in this line in the city.
In his political views Mr. Struve is a Republican, and he belongs to the Chamber of Commerce of Seattle. He is also a member of the Chi Psi fra- ternity and became one of the organizers of the Seattle Athletic Club. He was chosen the first captain of the athletic team and later elected the vice- president of the society. He belongs to Rainier Club, Firloch Club, and the Golf & Country Club, being the secretary of the last named. He is also treasurer of the Assembly Club.
On the 17th of November, 1897, in this city, Mr. Struve was united in marriage to Miss Anna Furth, a daughter of Jacob Furth. She is well known as one of the leaders of the social world of Seattle, her home be- ing celebrated for its gracious hospitality and for its pleasing social func- tions. She belongs to the ladies' adjunct of the Golf Club, to some of the literary clubs of the city and is a member of the executive committee of the Assembly Club. She is also a member of Trinity Parish church. From the arduous cares of an extensive business Mr. Struve finds pleasure and rest in golf and in travel and has visited all sections of his own country and has also gone abroad to Europe and Cuba. He is widely known as a young man of marked executive force. Intricate business situations he readily compre- hends, he forms his plans quickly and is prompt and accurate in their execu- tion. Thus he has gained a wide reputation as a capable and successful man of business, a typical representative of the enterprise that has led to the marvelous development of the northwest.
JOHN WENZLER.
Much of the civilization of the world has come from the Teutonic race. Continually moving westward, they have taken with them the enterprise and advancement of their eastern homes and have become valued and useful citi- zens of various localities. In this country especially have they demonstrated their power to adapt themselves to new circumstances, retaining at the same time their progressiveness and energy, and have become loyal and devoted citizens. true to the institutions of the "land of the free" and untiring in pro- moting all that will prove of benefit to their adopted country. The German element in America forms an important part of American citizenship, and while they cannot attain to the highest civil office in the gift of the people of
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this land, they have given ample evidence of their power to sustain and up- hold the government of the republic and to become the factors in various communities to whom the locality owes its progress and prosperity.
When John Wenzler was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, December 27, 1842, his parents may have hoped that a brilliant future lay before their so11, but they did not dream that he was to become a leading and influential citizen of a large city of the American republic, and that inis labors would bring to him a capital sufficient to enable him to put aside his business and jive retired in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil. He was a son of Alois and Katrina (Zeph) Wenzler, who had six children. He was ed- ucated in the schools of Germany and there learned the trade of a shoemaker. He afterward spent one year in France and three in Switzerland, and in 1865 came to America, crossing the Atlantic on a sailing vessel which consumed thirty-eight days in making the voyage. After two months spent in New York, he made his way westward to Ohio and for four years was with his brother-in-law at Troy, Ohio, but because he suffered with fever and ague there he decided to leave that place.
The Southern Pacific Railroad had just been completed across the coun- try and he determined to make his way to California. He located in Sacra- mento and soon afterward entered into partnership with his employers, but being again troubled with fever he once more sold out and went to San Fran- cisco. Thinking that he would like to go north either to Oregon or Wash- ington, he strolled down to the wharf one day, and seeing a boat there in- quired where it was going. On being informed they were bound for Wash- ington, he took passage on the vessel and was landed at Yesler wharf in Seat- tle, after a voyage of thirteen days. Part of the passage had been very stormy, and thinking he had traveled enough, he decided to locate here.
Seattle was then a town of about seven or eight hundred inhabitants. Mr. Wenzler determined to engage in business for himself and established a shoe store, which he successfully conducted until about fifteen years ago, when he sold out. He had enjoyed a very large trade, increasing with the growth of the city, and had acquired a handsome capital. On disposing of his store he became connected with real estate dealing. He platted five acres and bought and sold other property. In 1890 in connection with three others he purchased and platted one hundred and fifty-five acres, known as the York addition to Whatcom. He has also erected a number of residences in Seattle. In October, 1890. he erected his present home on Seventh aven- nie, at the corner of Cherry avenue, and in 1889 he built the two houses in the rear, on James, which he yet owns, besides unimproved property. His in-
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vestments have been carefully made and have resulted successfully, so that he is to-day one of the men of affluence of the city, having acquired a desirable capital that now enables him to live retired.
On the 17th of October, 1878, Mr. Wenzler was married to Rosa Boeh- ler, who was born in Baden, Germany, and came to America in 1877. Their union was blessed with eleven children, five of whom are yet living, while two died in childhood. Those who still survive are Lena, Julia, Sophie, John and Karl. Socially Mr. Wenzler is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is the oldest German representative of the society here. .A Republican in his political affiliations, he has served as a delegate to the conventions of his party and has aided in the work which has extended the nifluence and promoted the success of the organization. As a citizen his in- terest in and loyalty to Seattle has been manifest in many ways. He came here and found a village; he has lived to see it take on metropolitan propor- tions, and his own energy and enterprise have supplemented the progressive spirit and unfaltering labor which have wrought this splendid result. When he came to America he readily adapted himself to the changed conditions of the new world, and as the years have passed he has prospered. He is wholly worthy the respect which is everywhere tendered him, for his name is syn- onymous with honorable dealing and with all that is beneficial to the city of his adoption.
ALONZO HULL.
The task of writing the biography of a living representative man is a inost difficult one, because the prevailing modesty of American manhood shrinks from personal prominence and invariably discourages even the most friendly attempt to uncover the secret of his success or popularity in life. The subject of this sketch is a typical representative of the fast-growing class of American landed proprietors, deriving his income from that safest of all investments, real estate. He is now quite extensively engaged in real estate operations in Seattle, which he has made his home since 1889. He has been closely identified with the improvement of the new city, since it, phenix-like, rose from its own ashes in the year of the great conflagration.
Mr. Hull was born in Lackawanna county, Pennsylvania, near the city of Scranton, January 12, 1844. The family was founded in America by three brothers who came from England, settling in Rhode Island, at an early period in the development of this country. John Hull served as a valiant soldier in the American army during the Revolutionary war. William Hull,
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the father of our subject, was born in Massachusetts. When a young man, however, he removed to Pennsylvania and there engaged in farming and in the operation of a sawmill, and owned six hundred acres of good farm and coal land in that state. He also engaged in the mining of coal in the Lacka- wanna valley to some extent before the railroad was built in that locality. in his political affiliations he was a Whig and was a member of the Methodist church. He married Rebecca Parker, a daughter of Stephen Parker of Rhode Island. Her father was a man of influence in his community and highly respected for his sterling worth. Mr. and Mrs. Hull had seven chil- dren, of whom one died in infancy. George M., the oldest, resides in Blakes- lee, Pennsylvania, where he is extensively engaged in farming and in the real estate business, having large landed interests and owning his own property. William II. is now living a retired life in Scranton, Pennsylvania: he served in the Thirteenth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, during the Civil war. John L., for three years a member of the Fifty-second Pennsylvania Infantry during the war of the Rebellion, is now engaged in merchandising. Stephen I .. who was also a member of the Fifty-second Regiment, yet makes his home in Scranton; Alonzo is the next younger; Orestes T. follows farming nine miles north of Carbondale, Lackawanna county; he was in the signal service of the armies during the Civil war.
Alonzo Hull pursued his education in the public schools of East Hamp- ton, Massachusetts, in Williston Seminary and in the Lewisburg University at Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. He served in the Thirtieth Regiment of Pennsyl- vania Volunteers during the Civil war. He was afterward in the employ of jis brother and later engaged in quarrying slate in Bangor, Pennsylvania, and was engaged in the slate-roofing business in Scranton. He and his brother went to St. Louis in 1872, and there engaged in the slate-roofing business for thirteen years, conducting a very extensive and profitable busi- ness. At length, however, Mr. Hull met with an accident which kept him from labor with his brother for three years. He was obliged to sell out lis business interests there, after which he spent some time in Arkansas, but he realized that the chances of recovering his health were slight in that state and decided to try the far west. Having heard favorable reports of the Sound country, he came to Washington and after viewing the district he was so pleased with Seattle and its prospects that he decided to locate here. He then returned to close out his affairs in the south, selling off all his property with the exception of eight hundred acres of land in Arkansas.
In 1889 Mr. Hull became a resident of Seattle. He purchased a lot at the corner of Battery street and First avenue and also two lots on Queen Ann
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Hill. He had just let the contract for the erection of the Hull block at the time of the great fire in 1889. The contractor was not able to complete the building, so Mr. Hull personally undertook the work and with the assistance of builders here he continued the work until the building was ready for oc- cupancy. In consequence of this his building was completed much sooner than many others that were started immediately after the fire. It proved a profitable investment because business property was so much needed, and he immediately rented it. It is a three story structure, built of brick and is sixty by seventy feet, and there is also a basement under the entire block. There are offices and living rooms above while the first floor is used for store purposes. Mr. Hull has invested largely in real estate both improved and unimproved and has done considerable work in remodling his property, plac- ing it in marketable condition. He has also charge of some property for others and his attention is given to the supervision of his own interests as well. His real estate deals are now quite extensive and yield to him a good financial return.
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