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 78

Author: Lewis Publishing Company
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: New York, Chicago, Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 968


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 78


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When the latter was appointed United States attorney for Washington he brought his family to the territory, establishing his home in Olympia, his time being occupied with the duties of the court. In the spring of 1862. however, he took his family east of the mountains, and in the fall located at Vancouver, where they resided unti! 1864. About that time Mr. McGilvra had become convinced that Seattle was to be the metropolis of the territory, and he removed to this city, which has since been his home. . After ably fill- ing the office of United States attorney for five years he declined reappoint- ment. in order to give his whole attention to the practice of law. He also became interested in politics, and a man of strong nature, marked intellec- tual force and keen discernment, Mr. McGilvra would have found it utterly


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impossible to keep from taking an active part in the public affairs which shaped the political history of the territory. In 1866 he was nominated and elected on the Republican ticket to the territorial legislature, and while a member of the house devoted considerable attention to procuring the pas- sage of a hill that secured an appropriation of twenty-five hundred dollars for the opening of a wagon road through the Snoqualine pass. Thus was secured the establishment of the first line of connection between the eastern and western parts of the territory except that afforded by the Columbia river. No other work which he could have performed would have been so beneficial to the territory in the development of Seattle and of this portion of the northwest, for it formed the only highway between eastern and western Washington north of the Columbia river prior to the time the Northern Pa- cific Railroad was built. The Northern Pacific Railroad Company seemed determined to suppress Seattle and blight its future by making Tacoma its terminus, after the people of this city had offered many inducements for the extension of the line to this point. . A public meeting was then held, in which Mr. McGilvra ably advocated the building of another road. This resulted in the organizing of the Seattle and Walla Walla Railroad Company. Mr. Mc- Gilvra drew the articles of incorporation and the by-laws, and for several years transacted all the legal business of the company. In connection with Arthur A. Denny, James M. Colman and others, he became a most potent fac- tor in raising money and in securing the construction of the new line. This virtually checkmated the efforts of the Northern Pacific and gave to Seattle a road of its own. In the effort the people of the city became very enthusi- astic, and some two miles of the road was graded by picnic parties composed of Seattle's population, men, women and children participating in the work. Toward this valuable enterprise Mr. McGilvra gave sixty acres of land and his services for three years, and to his mental and physical efforts the success of the road was largely due.


For two years Judge McGilvra was city attorney of Seattle, and spent the winter of 1876-77 in Washington, D. C., in prosecuting the claimns of the city of Seattle to three hundred and twenty acres of land within the city lin- its under the town site law, in which he was successful. While engaged in this prosecution his attention was called to the fact that the Northern Pacific Railroad Company was attempting to change its branch line from the Skagit to the Natchez Pass in the Cascade mountains, and for that purpose had filed an amended plan or plat of its branch line with the commissioner of the general land office. Judge McGilvra at once called the attention of Judge Orange Jacobs, then delegate from Washington to Congress, to this fact,


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and they both entered their protest against the same unless the withdrawn lauds on the Skagit line were restored to settlement. He was subsequently employed by the people of King and other counties to assist Judge Jacobs in securing the restoration of these lands. In this attempt they were successful after a lengthy struggle, and five million acres were thereby restored to the people for settlement, although the Northern Pacific Railroad made a tre- mendous opposing effort. Judge McGilvra, however, was given the priv- ilege of the floor of the house by the speaker, and through the courtesy of Senator Mitchell had practically the same privilege in the senate. He ap- peared before all of the committee, made oral arguments and submitted printed briefs, and notwithstanding the great efforts made by a powerful railroad corporation he met with success, and the lands were restored, result- ing greatly to the benefit of this portion of Puget Sound. It was a great tri- umpli and his victory was a deserving tribute to his able presentation of the cause of justice and equity. At first the Northern Pacific Railroad Company had discriminated against Seattle and seemed determined to crush out its future prospects, and it is now a gratification to the old settlers of the city that the company must ask favors of Seattle. Judge McGilvra is certainly entitled to much credit for the very able and active part which he took in be- half of this district in bringing the railroad company to terms. As a very talented attorney he won a high reputation and for many years was con- nected with nearly all of the important cases on the docket of his district. Through his active practice at the bar and through his investments in real estate he has become one of the wealthy men of Washington. He is pre-en- inently a self-made man and his prosperity is justly merited. He started out for himself in the twelfth year of his age, working first as a chore boy for four dollars per month and also working for his board and the privilege of attending school. Subsequently he engaged in teaching in order to secure the means neccessary to pursue his own education, and thus his unaided ef- forts enabled him to advance steadily until he is now occupying a most prom- inent and honored place in Washington as a statesman of ability and as a lawyer of distinction.


During the past fifteen years he has been practically retired from the practice of law, giving his attention to his private interests and to the enjoy- ment which travel brings. He has visited the many interesting points throughout the United States, and has looked upon many scenes, historical as well as modern, in Europe. He is thoroughly acquainted with the Pacific coast from Alaska to the city of Mexico, and has visited Switzerland, Bel- gium, Germany, Austria, France, England and Scotland, the land of his an-


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cestors. During the Civil war he was a member of the Union League and was a stanch adherent to the government in its efforts to preserve the Union. In 1863-64, while conducting law cases in the capital, he was introduced by Secretary Chase to Secretary Stanton, and was well received by them both. He did much valuable service in the removal of copperheads from office in Washington, Oregon and California. His efforts in behalf of Seattle have been of material benefit in the substantial improvement of the city. He has purchased several hundred acres of land on the city side of Lake Washing- tou, and from time to time has platted additions. He opened Madison street its whole length to the lake at his own expense in 1864-65, at a cost of fifteen hundred dollars. He subsidized the Madison street cable railway to the amount of fifty thousand dollars. He has erected a number of residences, still has large property holdings, and his own home, which is a palatial one. is situated on the lake.


On the 8th of February, 1855, Judge McGilvra was married to Miss Elizabeth M. Hills, a native of Oneida county, New York, and a daughter of H. O. Hills of that county, who was descended from one of the prominent old Connecticut families. Five children have blessed this union, three of whom are living, namely : Carrie E., now the wife of Judge Thomas Burke, one of the most prominent lawyers of Seattle; Oliver C., a member of the law firm of Burke, Shepard & McGilvra; and Lillian L., at home with her parents. Judge McGilvra was formerly president of the Pioneer Society of the state of Washington, and enjoys the highest respect of all who know him throughout the northwest. At the annual reunion in June, 1902, Judge McGilvra presented to the Pioneer Association a magnificent lot on the shore of Lake Washington, at the foot of Madison street and convenient of access, for a home, which was duly appreciated. While in practice he was regarded as the peer of the ablest members of the bar. and his ability won him distinction in legal and political circles at the capital. To-day he is resting from his labors at the close of a most useful career. It is said of an eminent man of old that he had done things worthy to be written, that he had written thing's worthy to be read, and by his life had contributed to the welfare of the republic and the happiness of mankind. This eulogy is one that can well be pronounced on Judge John J. McGilvra.


JULIU'S HORTON.


From an early period Julius Horton has been prominently identified with the history of this section of Washington, and now in his declining years he is living retired from the active duties of life, crowned with the


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veneration and respect which should ever be accorded to one traveling the downward path of life. He laid out and established the village of George- town, in which he has long made his home, laboring for its promotion and welfare. He was born in Chemung county, New York, March 15. 1834, and is a brother of Dexter Horton, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this volume. When but a boy Julius Horton accompanied his parents on their removal to Illinois, and in the Prairie state he received his early edu- cational training, and on putting aside his text books he turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. While a resident of that state he also spent about seven years in the mercantile business, but owing to ill health and a desire to join his brother in this state he came to Washington in 1869, the journey being made by railroad to San Francisco, this being shortly after the estab- lishment of the railroad to that point, and from there on the old ship Marmion. After spending about two years with his brother in Seattle, Mr. Horton purchased and located on land in the valley, a part of which tract is now owned by the present treasurer of King county and another portion forms the old race track. At the time of the purchase the place was known as the L. M. Collins donation claim, it being both prairie and timber land, but in time Mr. Horton succeeded in clearing it of its native growth of timber and placed the whole under a fine state of cultivation. In June, 1890, he and his wife laid out the town of Georgetown, which they named in honor of their son, Dr. George MI. Horton, and they at once began the erection of a number of buildings and also their own fine residence, which is one of the best homes in the town. The place had a steady growth from the start, and this beautiful little village now stands as a monument to their enterprising spirit. They still own a number of lots here, which they are selling at a reasonable price in order to induce people to build in this locality. Mrs. Horton has proved a valuable assistant to her husband in all his business ventures, and with him shares in the high esteem of the residents of this portion of King county.


Mrs. Horton bore the maiden name of Annie E. Bigelow, and her mar- riage to Mr. Horton was solemnized in Illinois. She is a sister of General Harry Bigelow, a sketch of whose life will also be found in this work. . Four children have been born to this unior. as follows: George M., who is repre- sented elsewhere in this volume: Dora E., the wife of William A. Carle: Maud M., who became the wife of Frank G. Edmund, who served as master at arms on the United States steamship Oregon, and was at the battle of Manila, and she died on the 23d of December. 1808: and Howard Dexter, who is engaged in the study of medicine. The two eldest children were born


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in Illinois. Mr. Horton has been identified with the principles of Repub- licanism since the organization of that party, and on its ticket he has been elected to many positions of honor and trust. For four years he was the efficient deputy assessor, serving under both Chilberg and Hughes, and was afterward elected to the office of assessor, in which he was serving at the time of the disastrous fire in Seattle. For many years he also served as a school director. Fraternally he is a Mason, having joined that old and time-honored order forty years ago. He has given his aid in many generous ways to the perpetuation of those forces which conserve the best interests of the community, and the course that he has followed in political, business. social and home circles commends him to the high esteem of all.


FRANK V. HYMAN.


Incumbent of the responsible and exacting office of chief deputy grain inspector in the service of the state of Washington and maintaining his residence in the city of Seattle, Mr. Hyman is known as one of the pro- gressive and able young business men of the metropolis of the state, where he has lived for the past twelve years, and he is well entitled to definite con- sideration in this compilation.


Frank V. Hyman is a native of the city of Logansport, Indiana, where he was born in .August. 1862, the second in order of birth of the six chil- dren of Daniel and Martha (Reagan) Hyman. His father was born in Germany, whence he came to America when a youth, taking up a tract of land in Cass county, Indiana. at a point ten miles south of Logansport, the locality being known as Deer Creek. There he improved an excellent farm, being one of the honored and substantial citizens of the community, and there he passed the remainder of his life, his death occurring when he was about fifty-five years of age, while his wife passed away at the age of forty- five. Daniel Hyman was a stalwart supporter of the principles and policies of the Democratic party, in whose cause he was an active worker, having served as a member of the state central committee, but never having sought official preferment for himself.


Frank V. Hyman was reared to the sturdy discipline of the farm, and his educational advantages were such as were afforded by the public schools of his native state. He continued to assist in the work of the homestead farm until he had attained his legal majority, when he removed to Iowa, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits for some time, and then went to North Platte, Nebraska, and was there identified with railroading for a


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period of three years. At the expiration of this time, in August. 1889, he came to Seattle and here secured a position as traveling salesman for a cigar factory, covering in his field of labor the greater portion of the northwest, and he was thus engaged for five years. He then engaged in the cigar busi- ness on his own responsibility, doing a general brokerage business and hav- ing his headquarters in Seattle. He successfully continued this enterprise until May, 1901, when he was appointed to his present position as chief deputy grain inspector, in which connection he is assisted by three sub- ordinates, and under his direction all incoming grain is carefully inspected on the cars, as well as that held in the elevators, while, if requested, grain for foreign shipment is also inspected. The duties involved are onerous, since an average of from fourteen hundred to fifteen hundred cars per month are inspected in the shipping season, the greater portion being in sacks, so that the amount of detail work required is very large. Mr. Hyman has proved a most capable and discriminating executive and his services are of great benefit to both the buyer and the seller.


In his political allegiance Mr. Hyman is prominently identified with the Democratic party, in whose cause he has taken an active interest, having been a delegate to both city and county conventions since taking up his residence in Seattle, while he was also prominent in the local party ranks while residing in Iowa and Nebraska. At the age of twenty-one years he identified himself with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, but he has not maintained his active affiliation with the fraternity in recent years. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, in which he has passed all the official chairs, also representing his lodge in the grand lodge of the state, and he also holds membership in the local lodge of the Woodmen of the World. He has taken a lively interest in all that concerns the advancement and well- being of his home city, and has here erected three residences. At Waterloo, Iowa, in 1886, Mr. Hyman was united in marriage to Miss Josie Garvie, and they have one daughter, Effie May.


HERBERT S. UPPER.


"A man of affairs" is a very apt and suggestive phrase, and, moreover, very complimentary to the individual so designated, for it is the men of affairs in America who hold the first places of distinction and not only re- ceive the material rewards in the way of wealth and prosperity, but are looked up to and respected by all their fellow citizens. It is no exaggeration to say that Mr. Upper deserves this peculiar American title, for in his life of little


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more than thirty years he has been engaged since he was in his 'teens in the mioil of business, where only the stalwart and persevering are able to stem the tide and be accounted victorious.


He is the son of Canadian parents, and his father was a banker in St. Thomas, Ontario. He was born in Villia Nova, Ontario, November 5, 1869. He was reared in the city of St. Thomas, and after finishing his course in the public schools took a college course. He early formed the in- tention of going to the country of opportunities, the great west, and, so, when he was still a boy in years, he went to the Pacific coast. Seattle was at that time, about 1889, a city of seventeen thousand population, and he de- cided that it was the place for him to locate and make the scene of his life work. Thus early he had formed a considerable knowledge of the value of timber lands, gained among the forests of the north, and his first investments were in this line. He kept steadily buying and has, perhaps, owned more of this kind of property than any man of his age in the state, if not without this limitation of age. The keynote of his success in these ventures seems to have been his infallible judgment as to timber values, and his foresight as to the increase of the lumber industry in the state of Washington has been rewarded, for these values at the present time have exceeded even his esti- mates. He has always invested with a safe margin and was one of the fortunate few who weathered the storms of the financial stress of the early nineties, when those most solid financially were none too secure. And he exhibited his great confidence in the ultimate outcome of this period and the general stability of the country when he was the only one who would take mortgages on timber lands and other real estate. Mr. Upper has also dealt extensively in city property. both residences and business houses. He has laid out three additions to Seattle and has built a number of residences. That his business has steadily increased and is now carried on on a large scale may be inferred from the fact that he employs four persons in his office and two on the outside, who are all needed to manage the volume of business.


But Mr. Upper has been occupied in other affairs as well as real estate. He delights in the life of the farm. and has an especial liking for stock. On his ranch east of Lake Washington there is some very choice stoek, and he is a good judge of horseflesh. riding and driving some of his blooded horses constituting his chief diversion. He was one of the organizers and is the president of the Seattle Riding Club. All matters that have had the public good in view have found in Mr. Upper a willing helper, and he is interested in several companies for the development of the resources of the state. He is a member of the Seattle Chamber of Commerce, a stockholder in the


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Rainier Club, is connected with the management of the King County Fair Association, and belongs to the Seattle Athletic Club. In church affairs he holds membership with the First Baptist church and is the treasurer. Mr. Upper has had his suite of offices in the Schermerhorn block for the past thirteen years: and in 1902 he built for himself a nice residence on East Jefferson street, near Eighteenth.


ELWOOD HORTON.


One of the busiest, most energetic and most enterprising men of Seattle is this well known contractor and builder, who is in every way a splendid type of our best American citizenship. His present residence, office and shop are at 717 Pike street, while his telephone number is Red 1716. A native of Indiana, Mr. Horton was born in Marion county, that state, December 14, 1855. his parents being William and Elizabeth ( Mendanhall) Horton, both natives of Ohio, the former born in IS15, the latter in 1819. His paternal grandfather, James Horton, was a pioneer of Marion county, Indiana, where he located in 1830. He cleared a farm from a heavily timbered traet of land in that locality and endured all the privations incident to early backwoods life and the development of a new country. There he spent the remainder of his life engaged in agricultural pursuits. His wife bore the maiden name of Hayworth. Our subject's great-grandfather was captured by the li- dians and is supposed to have been killed by them.


William Horton was one of a family of ten children, seven sons and three daughters, all of whom are now deceased. He was a lad of fifteen years on accompanying his parents ou their removal to Indiana and in early life learned the carpenter's trade, which he continued to follow during his entire business career at West Newton, Indiana. He and his family were members of the Society of Friends, and in politics he was a stanch abolition- ist and Republican. He was well known in business circles in that portion of the Hoosier state in which he lived, and erected there a great many public buildings, churches, schoolhouses, etc. After a useful and well spent life he died in 1889, and his estimable wife passed away in 1893.


In the family of this worthy couple were eight children, namely : John, who remained in Marion county, Indiana, where he served as deputy sheriff for fifteen years, was a soldier of the Civil war, being a member of the Twenty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and died in 1881 at the age of forty years. Alfred, who was also a soldier of the Civil war, is now en- gaged in the sawmill and lumber business in Morgan county, Indiana. Eme-


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line is the wife of Rev. Jobn Stribling, a minister of the Friends church at Earlham, Iowa. Joseph is an undertaker of West Newton, Indiana. Saralı A. is the wife of David Millar of Indianapolis, Indiana. James is connected with Alfred in business in Morgan county, Indiana. Elwood, our subject, is the next of the family. Jennie is the wife of Milton Osborne of Jewell county, Kansas.


Elwood Horton was born in West Newton, Indiana, and in that village grew to manhood, being indebted to its common schools for his educational privileges. At the age of sixteen years he began learning the carpenter's trade with his father, and after attaining his eighteenth year was associated with him in business. As his father grew old he assumed more and more the responsibility of the firm until he had entire control. In 1886 he removed to the city of Indianapolis, where he engaged in contracting and building until the fall of that year, when he went to Pasadena, California. There he was also engaged in contract work, largely on churches, public buildings, etc .. remaining there until the spring of 1889, when he came to Seattle, where he has since engaged in the same line of business. He has erected many fine residences here and is regarded as one of the most reliable contractors and builders of the city, his work always giving the utmost satisfaction.


Before leaving his native state Mr. Horton was married in Marion county, Indiana, September 13, 1883, to Miss Anna Coppuck, a daughter of Isaac and Judith ( Russell) Coppuck, all natives of that county. Mrs. Hor- ton is one of a family of four children, the others being Calvin Wesley and James, both residents of Indianapolis, Indiana: and William, deceased. To our subject and his wife have been born three children, namely: Floyd E., Ralph W. and Edith F. Mr. and Mrs. Horton are both earnest and consist- ent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he is also connected with the Woodmen of the World. In his political affiliations he is a stalwart Republican and takes a commendable interest in public affairs.




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