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 63
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Fred F. Fisher, one of the sons above mentioned. was born at Galva. lowa. September 15, 1867, but was reared and educated chiefly in Livingston. He accompanied his father to Nebraska, and as soon as of sufficient age joined him in the lumber business. In 1888 he went to California, where he spent two years in the same line and then returned to Nebraska. While in this state previously he had been employed by the Stimsons, and was offered a situation by the same people in connection with their lumber business at Seattle. It was in 1891 that he transferred his base of operations to the young state of Washington, with whose development he was destined to re- main identified during all the years to come. After remaining a year at Seattle Mr. Fisher came to Ballard, then a place of between four and five hundred population, bought a lot and built a home. He remained with the Stimsons until 1901, then spent six months at Everett and after returning to Ballard took an interest in the newly formed lumber company which went by the name of that town. William H. Stimson of Los Angeles was elected president and Fred F. Fisher secretary of the Ballard Lumber Company at the time of organization, and they still retain those positions. The company purchased the mill built by Hardfield & Roberts, which has a capacity of thirty thousand feet a day. Aside from the men engaged in the lumber camps the company employ fifty men and own between fifty and sixty million feet of lumber in the Skagit country, which is the principal location of their outside operations. Their manufacture covers pretty much all the varieties of lumber required in the building trades and a lively shipping business is done to coast parts and to the centers of this industry in the east.
On September 20. 1800, Mr. Fisher was married in Nebraska to Alena. daughter of Jud L. Bond, a farmer of that state. By this union there have been three children, two living: Gladys and Glenn. and one deceased, named Bonnie. Mr. Fisher has been quite active in politics on the Republican side.
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and served three years as school director, was urged to accept the nomination for mayor, but this honor he was constrained to decline on account of the exacting nature of his business. In the fall of 1900 Mr. Fisher erected the residence in which he now resides, on Leary avenue, this being the third dwelling house put up by him since coming to Ballard.
JAMES D. TRENHOLM.
One of the best known and most highly respected business men of Seat- tle is James D. Trenholm, who is the manager and secretary of the North- western Commercial Company. He is a native of Canada, born in Mon- treal on the 22d of June, 1865, and is of English and Scotch ancestry. His father, Jolın Trenholm, was born in England, but in 1830 left his home across the sea and came to America, where he became interested in the manu- facture of woolen goods. He married Miss Ann Dickson, a native of Glas- gow, Scotland, and she still survives her husband. In their family were eight children. all of whom are still living.
James D. Trenholm, the only representative of the above family in the state of Washington, received his education in St. Francis College at Que- bec. In 1882, when seventeen years of age, he went to North Dakota, where he served as deputy register of deeds for three years, durig which time he also read law and was admitted to practice in 1890. While engaged in the practice of his profession at that place he also did a general banking and farm loan business, and became a prominent and influential citizen of the locality. In 1898 he made the journey to the Klondyke, and during the year which he spent there established the electric light plant and power supply of Dawson. and on the expiration of that period. in company with Mr. Rosene, he came to Seattle and organized the Northwestern Commercial Company. since which time they have been engaged in the shipping interests, their stock having increased during the past year from twenty thousand to four hundred thousand dollars. They ship principally to Alaska and Siberia, and in the last named place they own large possessions and are establishing trading posts. They also own many stores in Alaska, and in that country they are employing as many as two hundred men. In addition to these important interests Mr. Trenholm has a large interest in the firm of Jacobs & Trenhohn, and they are doing a general ageney business and own large warehouses in this city. Thus it will be seen that our subject has attained to an exalted position in the business circles of the northwest, but all that he now possesses is the result of his own unaided efforts and executive ability.
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The marriage of Mr. Trenholm and Miss Minnie Grandy, a native of Canada, was celebrated in 1889, and the union has been blessed with four children,-Lotty, May, Dickson and Ruth. The family reside in a beautiful home at Green Lake, where they dispense a gracious hospitality to their many friends. In political matters Mr. Trenholm affiliates with the Demo- cratic party, and is at all times a public spirited and progressive citizen. In Masonic circles he has also gained a high standing, being a member of the blue lodge and chapter, the Mystic Shrine and the Knights Templars. He has also passed the chairs in all branches of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He is widely known throughout the county of King, and his reputation for reli- ability in business circles is unassailable, while in all life's relations he com- mands the respect of those with whom he has been brought in contact. He is a most progressive man, of great energy and force of character and is a recognized leader in many lines of business, which result not only to his own profit but also add to the general prosperity.
WILLIAM DECURTIN.
One of the enterprising business men of Interbay, and a gentleman of superior mental endowments and intellectual culture, came to America a young man and has found in the business possibilities of the new world the opportunity which, being improved, has made him a prosperous resident of his adopted land. He was born in Switzerland, a son of Felix and Hortense (Duval) DeCurtin. The father was a native of France and was an officer and instructor in the French army. He loyally served his country in the Franco-Prussian war on the staff of one of the famous marshals with the rank of captain. After the close of the war he remained in the military service of his country as instructor in military tactics in one of the military schools, in which capacity he remained until his death in 1876. The subject of this review is the younger of the two children of the family. His brother Jacob remained in his native country and is now a wealthy citizen there.
William DeCurtin was reared in his native land until he had attained the age of nineteen years, and acquired a good education, completing a scien- tific course, after which he spent one year as a student in a polytechnic school. When he was nineteen years of age the scene of his life changed materially. He left his native country for America, sailing for New York to become the American correspondent for Zwatchebach & Company, in whose service he remained for sixteen months. when, believing that he might have hetter busi-
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ness opportunities in other connections, he entered the employ of Schlitz & Company, the well known brewers of Milwaukee, being attached to their Chicago agency for a year. On the expiration of that period he went to St. Paul. where he remained for a year and a half in the same capacity, and later was transferred to Conneil Bluffs, lowa, where he represented the com- pany for four years.
In: 1800) Mr. DeCurtin came to Seattle and has since been identified with the brewing interests of the northwest. He was elected president of a bren - ing company, with which he was associated until he became one of the or- ganizers of the Claussen Brewing Association. He was chosen the vice- president and secretary of the new corporation and has since filled those posi- tions, his business capacity and enterprise contributing largely to the success- f11 conduct of the new industry.
Mr. DeCortin was married in Council Bluffs, lowa, in 1898, to Eu- genia Hleuber, a native of Buffalo, New York. His political support is given the Republican party. Although a comparatively recent acquisition to the citizenship of Seattle Mr. DeCurtin's progressive and enterprising spirit is manifest in the interest which he has taken in the advancement of measures pertaining to the general welfare and progress. Fle is a member of the In- terbay Improvement Club and in a private capacity has co-operated in move- ments for the benefit of the community. He is a gentleman of superior ability and fine educational attainments: a good linguist, who has made a specialty of the study of languages and is proficient in five different tongues, including the old Roman dialect spoken in Canton Grisons in Switzerland. He is a pleas- ant, genial man to meet and has already become popular with a rapidly increas- ing circle of friends.
WILLIAM M. CURTISS.
All persons residing at or near the town of Ballard must necessarily know the gentleman above named, as he is the pioneer merchant of the place. When he first came here Ballard was an unknown quantity, still waiting to be evolved from nothing, like many another of the now striving cities of the west. This was not so long ago, it is true, but as he was one of the first on the ground and located. as the pharse goes, he is entitled to the name of early settler and as such will figure in the history of the place. \ feu words, therefore, about Ballard's oldest merchant will not be out of place in a volume devoted to the representative men of King county. His ancestors were residents of New York state for some generations back, and his father did business as a mechanic at Oswego. The latter was a contractor, and in
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connection with his father erected a number of large buildings at various places. Some time during the fifties he secured an important contract which necessitated a trip to Ottawa, Illinois, and a somewhat prolonged stay in that section of the state. Eventually he returned to New York, and was accidentally drowned in 1870 while working for the government as superin- tendent of the break-water at Oswego: his boat was swamped while making a trip to the light house in a heavy storm, and a heavy overcoat which he wore at the time prevented him from swimming satisfactorily. He married Maria I. Todd, who bore him three children and is now making her home at Ballard.
William M. Curtiss, the genial merchant with whose affairs this sketch is concerned, was born at Ottawa, Illinois, April 24. 1858, during the temp- orary residence of his parents above mentioned. While still an infant he was taken to New York, and grew to maturity in that state, where he re- ceived a meager amount of schooling during his boyhood. He did work in different lines of a miscellaneous character until his twentieth year had been completed, when he learned the tinner's trade. which has since furnished his chief occupation. In 1882 he left his old home for the distant west and spent four years at Fargo and Jamestown, South Dakota. Having heard much of the young city growing up on Puget Sound he decided to cast his lot with the state of Washington, and in 1886 made his first appearance at Seattle. Business was dull at that time, and work in the skilled trades be- ing scarce Mr. Curtiss devoted his attention for some time to building small boats. In a short time, however, he embarked in mercantile business at North Seattle, but this venture was of brief continuance, and after the store was disposed of Mr. Curtiss purchased a lot, which now constitutes a part of the site of Ballard. In September, 1889. he built a shack and started a tinshop, which proved to be the nucleus for the future mercantile interests of Ballard and has since grown in importance with the development of the town and surrounding country. During the year following his humble be- ginning Mr. Curtiss laid in a stock of goods in his line, and in the fall erected that part of his present building which faces on Second avenue. There was prosperity and steady growth from the beginning, and the end of twelve years found Mr. Curtiss in possession of a commodious building, with floor space one hundred feet square and containing the largest stock of its kind in the city. He deals in tinware, stoves, pumps, sashes, doors and other ar- ticles in that line, and is not only the oldest but the most successful and pop- ular of the merchants who have found lodgment in the incipient city of Bal- lard. A shop well fitted with every facility for making repairs and looked 37
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after by competent workmen is an important adjunct of the regular mercan- tile department. Aside from his regular business Mr. Curtiss has paid some attention to mining, and has made some investments in that line which promise well for the future.
In 1891 Mr. Curtiss was married to Amanda Van Patten, who is quite popular in social circles, being a member of the ladies' clubs at Seattle and Ballard and a Daughter of Rebekah. Mr. Curtiss also takes interest in fra- ternal affairs and holds membership in various orders, including the Odd Fellows, Rebekahs, Workmen and Woodmen of America. He is indepen- dent in politics, with Republican leanings, is a member of the board of edu- cation, the Chamber of Commerce and served two years in the city council.
CHARLES F. WHITTLESEY.
The law has ever attracted to its ranks a certain class of men gifted with keen perception and logical minds, men who, by nature or training, or both, are peculiarly fitted to deal with the problems which arise among their fel- lows. In reviewing the prominent members of the King county bar we find the name of Charles F. Whittlesey, who is a member of the firm of Booth, Whittlesey & Hanford, a prominent abstract company.
Mr. Whittlesey was born in Fort Warren, New Mexico, on the 19th of August, 1855, and on both the paternal and maternal sides is descended from prominent old families. John Whittlesey, the progenitor of the pa- ternal branch in America, came to this country form Cambridge, England, in 1635. locating in Saybrook, Connecticut, and there his son Joseph was born on the 15th of January, 1671. His son, also named Joseph, was born in that city on the 20th of May, 1722, and during the Revolutionary war served as an adjutant quartermaster of a Connecticut regiment. He was made a prisoner by the British during that struggle. His son, John Baldwin Whittlescy, was born in Saybrook, November 26. 1782, and became the grandfather of our subject. He became a Presbyterian minister in the state of New York, and his death occurred there on the toth of September. 1833. at the age of fifty-one years. He married Nancy Hotchkiss, a daughter of Lemuel and Penelope Hotchkiss
Joseph Hotchkiss Whittlesey, the father of our subject, was born in Aron, New York, August 22. 1822, and was a graduate of West Point. During the Mexian war he was made a second lieutenant, and for gallant service at the battle of Buena Vista, in which he served under General l'ay- lor, he was made a first lieutenant. During the Civil war he also served his
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country as a brave and loyal soldier, having command of a regiment in the Army of the Potomac. He was with his regiment at the siege of Yorktown, and was taken prisoner at Winchester, Virginia, but on account of disability was soon afterward paroled and exchanged. For a time thereafter he was engaged in recruiting volunteers for the Union army throughout Pennsyl- vania, New York and New Hampshire. He was afterward professor of military science in Cornell University and was next made treasurer of the soldiers' home at Washington. D. C., serving in the latter position for five years. The year 1884 witnessed his arrival in Seattle, but after a residence here of only two years he was called to his final rest, passing away on the Ist of August, 1886, at the age of sixty-four years. He married Miss Catherine Knox Fauntleroy, a descendant of an old French family of Virginia. Moore Fauntleroy, the founder of the family in America, came to this country from Scotland. locating in Frederick county, Virginia. He was of French de- scent. The maternal great-grandfather of our subject, Charles Fauntle- roy, was a member of the supreme bench of the Old Dominion, was also a member of the Virginia legislature, and was a general in the Revolutionary war, having charge of a Virginia brigade. So great was his sympathy for the cause of the colonies that he disinherited a son who espoused the British cause. His daughter married Charles Magill, who was a colonel on General Washington's staff, while another daughter married Charles M. Thurston, who was also a member of Washington's staff in that memorable struggle. To Mr. and Mrs. Whittlesey were born two sons, William H. and Charles Fauntleroy.
Charles F. Whittlesey was educated by private tutors during his early years, and later became a student in the Princeton College, in which institu- tion he was graduated in 1874. His professional education was received in Columbian College at Washington, District of Columbia, in which he was graduated in 1876, and from that time until 1881 he followed his chosen pro- fession in the capital city. In the latter year he took up his abode in Colo- rado, where he was a member of the legal profession for three years. Since 1883 he has been a resident of the state of Washington, spending the first year in Whatcom, and since 1884 he has made his home in Seattle. After his arrival in this city he turned his attention principally to land law and assisted in forming the abstracts for King county, which his company now owns. His name is a familiar one in political and professional circles throughout this section of the state, and by reason of his marked intellectual activity and superior ability he is well fitted to aid in molding the policy of the state, to control general interests and from public opinion. Mr. Whitt-
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lesey has been a life-long Democrat, and for two terms, of two years each, he served his county as its treasurer. He was appointed by Governor George Semple as regent of the University of Washington, and was serving in that capacity when the territory was admitted into the Union.
On the 23d of July, 1886, in Seattle, Mr. Whittlesey was happily mar- ried to Miss Susana DeWolf, a native of Charlotte, North Carolina, and a (laughter of Captain Frederick S. DeWolf, who served as a captain of Con- federate forces during the Civil war, and is now a resident of Seattle. The union of our subject and wife has been blessed with two daughters, Charlotte DeWolf and Lanra DeWolf. The family reside in a pleasant home in Seat- tle, where they dispense a gracious hospitality to their many friends. Mrs. Whittlesey is a member of the Second Presbyterian church of this city.
GEORGE N. GILSON.
George N. Gilson, chairman of the board of county commissioners of King county and a representative business man of the city of Seattle, en- gaged in the sale of engineers' supplies, is a native of Port Jefferson, Long Island, being born on the Ist of April, 1862. He is of English descent. and his ancestors came to this country before the Revolutionary war. His father, George F. Gilson, was born in Buffalo, New York, and was there married to Miss Sarah Pedwick, of Long Island, and five children were born to them in the Empire state. In 1875 he came to Seattle, Washington, being accompanied on the journey by his wife and three children, George N. : . An- nic now the wife of William Good; and Theresa. the wife of Henry C. Wood. The remaining two children joined them on the Pacific coast in 1879. Re- ligiously the father was an Episcopalian and the mother a Methodist, and both have passed away, the latter dying on the 25th of February, 1890, and the former on the 28th of April. 1895. They were people of the highest in- tegrity and worth, and enjoyed the respect and esteem of all who had the pleasure of their acquaintance.
George N. Gilson was but seventeen years of age when he accompanied his parents on their removel to Washington, and after his arrival in this state he resumed his studies in the Washington State University. After putting aside his text books he went to sea, serving first in the engineer's de- partment. but afterward became a master, and for seventeen years was on the sea, during which period he sailed around the world. For a number of years after returning to this state he was engaged in the iron business, and also invested largely in city property. In Jantriry. 1900. he incorporated the
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Engineers' Supply Company, of which he is now the president and manager. He is progressive in his methods, industrious and persevering, and has man- aged his interests so as to win for himself a name among the substantial busi- ness men of the northwest. During his residence in Seattle he has erected many homes, and has been thoroughly interested in the development of this region, doing all in his power for its progress and advancement.
Mr. Gilson was happily married in 1890, when Miss Florence E. Hick- man became his wife. She is a native daughter of the Golden state. To this union have been born two daughters, Florence Edna and Ruth Serena. Both Mr. and Mrs. Gilson are members of the Methodist church, in which he has served as a trustee for many years. Socially he is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of the Woodmen of the World and of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. A life-long Republican, he has been the choice of his party for many positions of honor and trust. For four years he served as a member of the city council of Seattle, and during that time was active in promoting the work of grading Front street. In 1898 he was elected a member of the board of county commissioners of King county, and was later made its president. He is a genial, kind-hearted and affable gentleman, and takes just pride in handing down to his posterity the fact that he was captain of the first passenger steamer that sailed from this port. This vessel was named the Hornet, and made the voyage to Port Orchard and other ports on the Sound.
ELLIS MORRISON.
To the energetic natures and strong mentality of such men as the Hon. Ellis Morrison are due the success and ever increasing prosperity of the Re- publican party in Washington, and in the hands of this class of citizens there is ever assurance that the best interests and welfare of the party will be con- served, resulting in a successful culmination of the highest ambitions and expectations entertained by its adherents. Given to the prosecution of active measures in political affairs and possessing the carnest purpose of placing their party beyond the pale of possible dimunition of power, the Republican leaders in this state are ever advancing. Certainly one of the most distin- guished leaders of the party in the state is Ellis Morrison, who throughout his life has been a loyal citizen, imbued with patriotism and fearless in de- fense of his honest convictions. He has served as speaker of the house of representatives in Washington, but is not alone prominent in political circles. being also regarded as one of the leading business men of Seattle, where, as a dealer in stocks, bonds and mortgages he is widely known.
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Ellis Morrison was born in Butler county, Pennsylvania, on the 20th of May, 1850, and is of Scotch lineage, the family having been established in Massachusetts four generations ago. He pursued his advanced studies. after completing the work of the public schools, in the Pennsylvania Military College, in which he was graduated with the class of 1871 as a civil engineer. Later his alma mater conferred upon him the degree of master of civil en- gineering, and for ten years he was the city engineer of Newcastle, Pennsyl- vania, where he built the city water works. He also had charge of the con- struction and inauguration of water works in various other cities, including works at Greencastle and Wabash, Indiana, Sharon and Corry, Pennsyl- vania. Warren and Defiance, Ohio. Mr. Morrison studied law in Newcastle. Pennsylvania, during the years 1873-74-75. and was admitted to the Law- rence county bar on May 3. 1875: he is now a member of the King county bar in Washington, but has never engaged in the practice of his profession.
On the 18th of February, 1900. Mr. Morrison arrived in Seattle and has since been engaged in the brokerage business and in dealing in bonds ard mortgages. He has met with very gratifying success. Seattle's im- portance as a business center is constantly increasing and is drawing to the city men of marked business and executive force from all sections of the country. Among this number Mr. Morrison is prominent. He has also engaged in dealing in real estate, and has platted several additions to the city in West Seattle, covering hundreds of acres. Thus he has contributed to the improvement and upbuilding of the city, and at the same time has pro- moted his individual prosperity.
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