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 67
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Charles H. Rochister, the father of our subject, was born in Kentucky on the 3Ist of January. 1817. He married Miss Mary L. Caldwell, a native of his own state. She was of Huguenot French and of Scotch-Irish ancestry and her people were equally early settlers of Kentucky, whence they removed from Virginia. Her father was the first settler and a founder of Adair coun- ty, Kentucky, and served as clerk of the county and of the circuit courts. He and his son James occupied that position for sixty consecutive years. Charles Rochister was for a number of years a farmer, who was also very prominent in public affairs and during a long period held the office of railroad commis- sioner of Kentucky. He departed this life in the seventy-seventh year of his age, but his good wife still survives him in the seventy-seventh year of her life, and resides in Independence, Missouri. They had seven children, of whom six are yet living. The father had also had seven children by a previous mar- riage, and his second wife continually cared for them as well as for her own children, and deserved great credit før moulding the characters of all so that they became honored residents of their respective localities. One of the sons is now in Seattle, G. A. C. Rochister being a prominent member of the bar herc.
Junius Rochister acquired his education in the University of Virginia and studied law in the office of his uncle in Louisville, Kentucky, being ad- mitted to the bar in that state on the 27th of April, 1879. For two years he engaged in practice in the east, and in 1884 came to Seattle, where he at once opened a law office. The following year he entered into partnership with the llon. J. B. Metcalfe, then the attorney general of the territory, this relation
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being maintained until November, 1886, when Mr. Rochister was elected probate judge of the county. During this time he had also been a factor in the improvement of the city, having built the Yesler Way and the Jackson Cable Railroad, assisted by Mayor Metcalfe and others. At the close of his judicial term Judge Rochister entered into partnership with Colonel James H. Lewis, later a member of Congress, and with L. C. Gilman. under the firm name of Rochister, Lewis & Gilman. They soon gained a very large and remunerative practice, having, it is believed, the most extensive clientage in the city.
Mr. Rochister was also much interested in the development of the mate- rial welfare of Seattle and to that work gave not a little of his attention. He was the founder of the suburban town of Columbia, and built the street railway to Renton. A recognized leader in political circles, he served as chair- man at the city, county and state central Democratic committees, and was a member of the first commission that formed the city charter of Seattle. He was the father of the Seattle city library, and regarded this as the most im- portant work that he accomplished. Certainly his memory deserves the grat- itude of the public for his efforts in this direction, as it affords the means of education to those who care to inform their minds concerning science. his- tory. biography, traveling and fiction. In 1894 Judge Rochister's health failed and for several years he was an invalid, but he recovered to some ex- tent and became again an active factor in the many and varied interests of Seattle. He was tendered his present position as one of the law professors in the University of Washington, which he held till his death.
In 1891 Mr. Rochister was happily married to Miss Carrie A. Rice, a native of Middleport. Meigs county, Ohio, and a descendant of good old Revolutionary stock. One of her great-great-uncles was private secretary to General Washington. She is a daughter of Captain James Rice, who won his title as commander of an Ohio river steamboat. Mr. and Mrs. Rochister werc highly valued members of the Baptist church, in which he took a most active part, being one of the lay ministers. As a promoter and builder of Seattle he was very active, had erected numerous residences and brick blocks and also given his support to measures which have contributed in a large de- gree not only to the business life but to the intellectual and moral develop- men of the city. He had traveled extensively over the United States and had a number of times crossed the continent, gaining that culture and experi- ence which only travel can bring. He was a man of scholarly attainments. of broad general information and moreover an honorable, upright gentleman who deserved the unqualified respect and confidence which he received from his fellow men.
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WILLIAM HOYLE COLLIER.
There is probably no man in Seattle who has had a more varied career or has traveled more extensively than Wiliam Boyle Collier, the present popular secretary of the Marine Engineers Beneficial Association No. 38, of this city. He first visited here in 1859, and has made this port his home since 1876. He was born near Savannah, Georgia, in March, 1848, and is the only child of Henry DeWard and Caroline ( DeWitt ) Collier. On the paternal side his ancestors came to this country in the Mayflower and repre- sentatives of the family participated in the Revolutionary war. The De- Witts were among the early settlers of Florida. Our subject's father was a native of Connecticut and was a seafaring man, being master of a ship in the foreign service, which made the ports of England, China and other coun- tries. His entire life from the time he was fourteen years of age was spent on the water, and he was drowned in Shanghai bay at the age of forty-nine years.
During his boyhood William II. Collier attended the public schools of Hartford, Connecticut, and a private school in New York city, and he also studied under the direction of his father. His mother having died when he was only four years old, his early life was spent upon the sea with his father except when attending school. For a time he was a student in English schools at Hong Kong. China, and Calcutta, India. When the Civil war broke out, he returned to the United States and for a time was in the recruit- ing service for the Confederate army up till August, 1864, when he went to Australia and was engaged in newspaper work in that country until his health failed, being connected with the Sidney Morning Herald and the Melbourne Argus. In 1868 he resumed a seafaring life in the capacity of engineer and traveled all over the world, visiting nearly every important port. He was mostly in the merchant marine, but for a time was connected with the United States coast survey, which work he did not particularly like. Mr. Collier first came to Seattle in 1859, and subsequently dropped anchor in the Sound several times before locating here. Being attracted by the future prospects of the city he finally decided to make this place his permanent home and in 1876 took up his residence here. For many years he was engineer on boats running to San Francisco and Alaskan points, but two years ago retired from the water and accepted his present responsible position as secretary of the Marine Engineers Beneficial Association and also as business manager. The employment of all engineers is made through him, and he looks after the interests of the association in every way. Hle not only attends to the
N.H.B ollier
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business and financial affairs of the organization, but also looks after the families of absent members, which makes the position one of exceptional responsibility, but most ably and satisfactorily does he discharge its arduous duties. On the rolls of the association there are about four hundred names and its members are scattered all over the world. Mr. Collier is also em- ployed as inspector of steam boilers and elevators.
In 1875. in Victoria, British Columbia, was celebrated his marriage to Miss Annie Winstrom, a daughter of Robert Winstrom of London, England, and to them have been born six children, as follows: Henry DeWard. now assistant engineer in the employ of the Pacific Coast Steamship Company; Caroline, wife of A. Smith of Seattle: Annie, wife of James Lane, cashier in the Scandinavian Bank of Seattle; William Libby. paying teller in the same establishment : Florence and Hazel, both at home. The family attend St. Mark's Episcopal church, and some of the children are members of its choir. Fraternally Mr. Collier is connected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. In politics he is independent, casting his ballot for the men he believes best qualified for office regardless of party affiliations. He is widely and favoralby known, and it is safe to say that there is no other man in Seattle who has more friends than William H. Collier.
JOHN F. SCHERTZER.
The city of Seattle is peculiarly favored in having so ready access to Lake Washington, whose attractions as a summer resort cannot be excelled. and among those identified with maintaining excellent facilities for the ac- commodation of those who here seek rest and solace is the subject of this re- view. who has a pleasant home at Rainier Beach and has well equipped boat houses and the best of row and sail boats, which are in constant demand by a large number of appreciative patrons. Mr. Schertzer is one of the honored veterans of the war of the Rebellion and his life has been one of marked use- fulness and honor in all its relations, characterized by the same loyalty which prompted him in his youth to go forth in defense of the Union when its in- tegrity was menaced by armed rebellion. He has been a resident of the state of Washington since the IIth of September. 1889. and has here been suc- cessful in his efforts and is one of the popular and highly honored citizens of King county.
John F. Schertzer is a native of the old Buckeye state, having been born in the city of Columbus, Ohio, on the 24th of June, 1842, a son of John B. and Elizabeth (Emerick) Schertzer, both of whom were born in Germany,
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where their marriage was solemnized. Shortly after thus uniting their life destinies they emigrated to the United States and settled in the capital city of Ohio, where the father was for a number of years engaged in the work of his trade, that of tailor. Later he purchased a farm in that state and became one of the successful agriculturists of his section. He died in the year 1888, at the age of sixty-eight years, but his wife lived to the age of seventy-seven. They were people of the most sterling character, honored by all who knew them, and were devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Of their six children four are yet living, the subject of this sketch being the only representative of the family in Washington.
Mr. Schertzer received excellent educational advantages in his carly years, having attended the public schools of his native city, and he was but nineteen years and fifteen days of age when he showed his intrinsic loyalty and patriotism by volunteering for service in the defense of his country, en- listing as a private in Company A. Sixth Michigan Volunteer Cavalry, with which he served under General Sheridan in the Army of the Potomac, par- ticipating in eight of the notable battles of the great civil conflict and being known as a faithful and valiant soldier, ever at the post of duty, and after the close of the war he took part in the grand review of the victorious armies in the city of Washington, receiving his honorable discharge on the 10th of October. 1865. In the battle of South Mountain a bullet penetrated a small testament which he had placed in his breast pocket, thus saving him from a serious if not fatal wound, and in the battle of Gettysburg a ball lodged in his saddle, having barely missed his thigh. The heavy discharge of artillery and the general din of battle slightly impaired the hearing of Mr. Schertzer, and he has never entirely recovered.
After his discharge from the service Mr. Schertzer returned to his home and turned his attention to learning the carpenter trade, becoming a skilled mechanic. He removed to the state of Minnesota and was there promin- ently engaged in contracting and building in Minneapolis and other parts of the state for a number of years. He took up a tract of one hundred and sixty acres of land in Rock county, erected a good residence on the place and made good improvements otherwise. A prairie fire finally destroyed his home and literally devastated his farm, everything being lost except his carpenter tools. He provided another dwelling and left his family on the place, while he re- sumed work at his trade in order to retrieve his fortunes. Later he disposed of his farm and returned to the city of Minneapolis, where he gave his atten- tion to contracting and building until the death of his father, when the estate was divided and he returned to Marion county, Ohio, and took possession of
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the property allotted to him. Upon his portion of the homestead farm he erected a residence and remained there until the fall of 1888, when he came to Washington for the purpose of personally investigating the attractions and prospects of this section of the Union. He was employed for a short time in Seattle and then returned to Ohio and disposed of his property, after which he came through to Washington in company with his family. Upon coming to Seattle he purchased property and erected a comfortable residence, and here found ready demand for his services as a carpenter and builder. Finally he turned his attention to the building of pleasure boats for use on Lake Washington, having inaugurated this enterprise at Lester Park, where he remained two years, meeting with excellent success. In 1892 Mr. Schert- zer came to his present location, at Rainier Beach, in which delightful local- ity he purchased several lots, erecting a good residence and several boat- houses and constructing a large number of fine boats which he rents to pa- trons of this favorite resort. He makes a very handsome model row-boat and also sailing boats, and as the lake is some fifteen miles in length and one of the most beautiful in this section he receives a large patronage, giving his entire attention to the improvement and keeping up his handsome property and providing for the wants of those who come to the lake for periods of rest and recreation.
In politics Mr. Schertzer has ever been a stanch advocate of the princi- ples and policies of the Republican party, and fraternally he is identified with the Grand Army of the Republic, being an honored comrade of Stephens Post in Seattle. He was for three years incumbent of the office of town clerk and for a number of years justice of the peace in his home town in Minnesota. In the year 1869 Mr. Schertzer was united in marriage to Miss Lydia Blas- dell, who was born in Canada, and they have four children, namely : Frank E .. who is engaged in mining in Alaska: Jennie B., who remains at the par- ental home; and George .A. and William J., who are engaged in boat-building at Madrone Park.
JOHN R. COMPTON.
John R. Compton is the foreman of the Westerman Iron Works, thus occupying an important and responsible position as a representative of the industrial interests of Seattle. He was born in Lebanon, Oregon, May 12, 1876, and is a son of Oliver and Harriet (Ray) Compton, both of whom were natives of Missouri. They came to Seattle when the subject of this re- view was fourteen years of age. and John R. Compton completed the high
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school course in this city, beginning his business career in the Westerman Iron Works in 1892. in the capacity of a helper. He served his apprentice- ship in the forging department and with the exception of one year, from July, 1807. until August, 1898, he has since remained with the company as one of its most trusted and faithful representatives. In August. 1898, Mr. Comp- ton returned to the Westerman Iron Works as manager of the forge depart- ment and in 1900 was advanced to the position of superintendent of the works, having entire charge of all the forging. This company makes a specialty of heavy forging and executes large orders for car works and other extensive concerns. One order for car wheel and iron work for four hundred cars by the White Pass and Yukon Railroad Company was satisfactorily com- pleted under the direction of Mr. Compton, who gives his entire attention to the business. He understands the work in all its departments, and his prac- tical knowledge enables him to carefully direct the labors of those who serve under him, while he is always just and fair in his treatment of employes, and has their entire confidence and respect. He has due regard for his duties to the company which he represents, and his labors have been profitable to the lionse as well as a source of good income to himself.
On the 20th of September. 1899, occurred the marriage of Mr. Comp- ton and Miss Sadie B. Seckels. a daughter of D. K. and Alice Seckels. In politics he is a stanch Republican and fraternally is connected with the Be- nevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Woodmen of the World. A young business man, unassuming and unpretentious, he has, nevertheless, won the respect and confidence of those with whom he has been associated in business relations and has gained the warm friendship of many with whom he has come in contact.
RUFUS WILLARD, M. D.
Among the most successful physicians and surgeons of the city of Seat- the is numbered Rufus Willard, who has made his home here since Decem- ber, 1880, and has been a resident of the state for fifty years. He stands high in the estimation of his professional brethren, and his opinions have great weight in thir councils. The first of the Willard family to establish a home in America was Simon Willard, who came to this country from Eng- land just sixteen years after the landing of the Mayflower and was one of the founders of Concord, Massachusetts. He purchased land of the Indians, and was major in the colonial troops of Massachusetts. He became the father of sixteen children, fourteen sons and two daughters. The paternal
Rufus Willard Im 9
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great-grandfather of our subject, Rufus Willard, was a soldier in the Revo- lutionary war, and was a farmer by occupation, while the grandfather of our subject, also named Rufus, was a soklier in the war of 1812. Dr. G. K. Willard. the father of him whose name introduces this review, removed from New York to Illinois, and in the latter commonwealth was engaged in the practice of medicine until 1852, in which year he crossed the plains to Washington, taking up his abode in Olympia, where he followed his chosen calling until his death in 1866. He received his education principally in the Empire state, and was also a graduate of the Transylvania University of Lexington, Kentucky. For his wife he chose Miss Eleanor D. Smith, and they became the parents of seven children.
Rufus Willard was born in Coles county, Illinois April 27. 1836, and there attended the public schools until he accompanied the family on their journey across the plains, being at that time seventeen years of age. The trip was made with ox teams, and during the journey they were fired upon by the Indians several times, and frequently their stock was stampeded. but their destination was finally reached without any serious trouble. During their first winter here the family made their home in Vancouver, on the Columbia river, and in the following spring they came to the Sound country. Soon after his arrival here Mr. Willard became interested in the drug busi- ness at Olympia, where he remained for several years. He then returned to the Empire state, via the Isthmus route, and after his arrival there he entered the University of New York, in which institution he was graduated in 1861, being the first to complete the course there from the territory of Washington. Returning to Olympia, Washington, he there made his home for the follow- ing thirteen years, after which he again went to New York, and in March, 1874, was graduated from the Bellevue Hospital Medical College. . After two years spent in his western home he for the third time returned to the east and this time continued the journey to Europe, where he passed the ex- amination of the Royal College of Surgeons, of Edinburg, graduating there- in as a licentiate in 1876. He was also elected to and received the fellowship degree of the Royal College of Surgeons, being the first non-resident of Eng- land to ever receive that honor. He has taken several post-graduate courses in both Chicago and New York, and has ever kept abreast of the times in his profession. In the spring of 1877 he was elected to take charge of the State Insane Asylum, as medical superintendent, at Steilacoom, which position he continued to fill for four years. The year 1880 witnessed his arrival in Seattle. since which time he has been numbered among its leading medical practitioners, and from the time of his arrival for fourteen years he was
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medical superintendent of the Providence Hospital. He now gives his en- tire time to his private practice and has built up a large and lucrative pat- ronage.
At Olympia, in 1858, the Doctor was united in marriage to Sarah J. Fletcher, who came to this state in 1850. Six children have been born of this marriage, but one died when young, and four still survive: Francis Mott, of Seattle; Julia Eleanor Ross; Mrs. Annie Hines, also of this city; and Mrs. Carrie M. Goode of Idaho. Dr. Willard gives his political support to the Republican party, and religiously he is an active member of the Metho- (list Episcopal church, in which he served as a lay delegate to the general conference at Baltimore in 1876, and again at Cleveland in 1896. He has held many of the offices in his home church, and is also an active Sunday- school worker. In his social relations he is a worthy member of the Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained to the thirty-second degree in the Scot- tish Rite. He is also a member of the county and state medical societies. He is not only thoroughly versed in his profession but is also well informed along other lines, and from the faithful performance of each day's duty he gains inspiration and encouragement for the labors of the next. Pleasant and agreeable in manner, his cheery disposition as well as his medical treat- ment of patients is a potent element in his success and makes him a favorite with all with whom he comes in contact.
JAMES H. NEWELL.
James H. Newell, one of the representative business men of Seattle and an honored veteran of the Civil war, residing at 4828 Twenty-third avenue, west, was born in Waynesburg. Greene county, Pennsylvania, November 22 1845, his parents being John Newell and a Miss Dailey, also natives of the old Keystone state. His paternal grandfather, James H. Newell, was born in the north of Ireland, and on coming to the new world settled in Pennsyl- vania. where he married Miss Sarah Britt. He was reared in the Protestant faith and became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. The father of our subject was a marine engineer by occupation. At a very early day, about 1836. he removed to Illinois, becoming one of the pioneers of Bureau county, but afterward returned to Pennsylvania, where he was living at the outbreak of the war of the Rebellion. He entered the service at the first call for troops and was killed at Clear Creek, Mississippi, on the 10th of June, 1863. He left four children, of whom our subject was the eklest, the others being Sarah, now the wife of Frank X. Phillips, of Kansas; Louisa, who died
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unmarried : and William, a resident of Tampico, Whiteside county, Illinois.
James HI. Newell was only eighteen years of age when he became the head of the family because of his father's death, and he then took charge of affairs, but feeling that his country needed his services he enlisted, January 25, 1864, as a member of Company I, Sixty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infan- try, though but little over eighteen years of age. He participated in the At- lanta campaign and siege, being under fire almost continuously for ninety- seven days, and as a sharpshooter was under General Sherman from Atlanta to the sea. For six weeks during his service he was confined in the Mount Pleasant hospital and at the close of the war was honorably discharged, June 29. 1865. with the rank of first corporal.
Returning to his home in Bureau county, Illinois. Mr. Newell engaged in farming there for one year, and in 1866 went to Kansas, and purchased land in Johnson county. While residing there he engaged in various occupations, devoting a part of his time to carpenter work. In the fall of 1868 he re turned to Illinois and resumed farming. On the 29th of October. that year. he was united in marriage to Miss Rosella Warren, a daughter of John and Mary ( McNitt) Warren, and to them have been born three sons, all of whom now occupy responsible positions. Frank H. being keeper of Kinnear Park; Harry E. is with the California Commission Company : and Fred L., for some time in the employ of the Great Northern Railroad Company, is now engaged in the theatrical line with the Willson Juvenile Minstrel Com- pany as property man.
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