An illustrated history of Skagit and Snohomish Counties; their people, their commerce and their resources, with an outline of the early history of the state of Washington, Part 169

Author: Inter-state Publishing Company (Chicago, Ill.)
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: [Chicago] Interstate Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1172

USA > Washington > Skagit County > An illustrated history of Skagit and Snohomish Counties; their people, their commerce and their resources, with an outline of the early history of the state of Washington > Part 169
USA > Washington > Snohomish County > An illustrated history of Skagit and Snohomish Counties; their people, their commerce and their resources, with an outline of the early history of the state of Washington > Part 169

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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BIOGRAPHICAL

or until 1892, when he returned to Pennsylvania and took a graduate course at Philadelphia. Thus, more thoroughly equipped than ever to follow his chosen profession, Doctor Howard came west again in 1898 and made his permanent location in Everett, believing in the future of the little city and the sur- rounding country. Nor has he been disappointed, as Snohomish county has taken truly wonderful strides in growth during the past seven years. By his skill and careful attention to business Doctor Howard has built up an extensive practice covering all portions of the county and has obtained an hon- orable place in his profession. His offices are in the Colby block on Ilewitt avenue. Fraternally. Doctor Howard is connected with the Knights of Pythias and the Odd Fellows. Politically, he has always been a Republican.

The marriage of Doctor Howard and Miss Grace Ross, of Prince Edward's Island, was sol- emnized in 1892. Her father, Malcolm Ross, a Scotchman, came to Canada with his parents when a child. upon reaching manhood, he entered the Baptist ministry and was following that profession on the island when his death occurred in 1895 at the ripe old age of eighty-four. Mrs. Ross was a native of Nova Scotia: she passed away in 1887. Mrs. Howard was born on Prince Edward's Island and there reared to womanhood. Of the two chil- dren born to the marriage of Doctor and Mrs. How- ard, only one, Doris, born in 1902. is living.

CHARLES J. KIRN, the successful young fruit merchant and confectioner of Everett, during the four years he has been engaged in business in the "City of Smokestacks" has won recognition be- cause of his keen capabilities and strength of char- acter. Starting with a small stand, he has in this period so increased his business that to-day the Kirn establishment occupies two large stores on Hewitt avenue in the very heart of the city, at 1614 and 1223 Hewitt avenne, respectively. The founder of this enterprise was born June 10, 1873. in Brooklyn, New York, within sight and sound of the nation's greatest commercial center. His father, William F. Kirn, was born in Wittenberg, Ger- many, in 1839, coming to America when a young man. From New York he went to Minnesota, at the same time changing his business, that of con- ducting an oyster parlor, for market gardening, in which he was quite successful. He came west to Washington in 1905, locating in Puyallup, in which district he is at present engaged in fruit raising. The mother of Charles J. Kirn is also a German, born in Wittenberg in 1811, and bore the maiden name of Minnie Gaisberg. At the age of seven she was brought to the United States by her parents, who first took up their abode in Brooklyn. The Gaisbergs are well known in Washington, D. C.,

where a brother of Mrs. Kirn was employed in the national capitol for twenty-seven years previous to his death. Charles J. Kirn, of this biography, re- ceived his education in the public schools of Red Wing, Minnesota. While attending school, with characteristic energy, he utilized all his spare time after school and on Saturdays helping his father, thus acquiring a substantial foundation of practical knowledge. At the age of twenty-one he entered a clothing house, where he remained five years, or until failing health compelled him to retire alto- gether from active labor. In 1902 with his sister he came to Everett and opened a small fruit stand. By courteous treatment of the trade and strict at- tention to business the little firm prospered and out of it has grown the largest establishment of its kind in the city. Kirn's "Palace of Sweets" is noted for the quality and style of its goods, the artistic appearance of the store and the excellence of its service.

Mr. Kirn enlisted in Company G, Thirteenth Minnesota Volunteers, at the outbreak of the Span- ish-American War. This regiment was sent to Manila and participated in the Philippine cam- paigns of 1898 and 1899. Fraternally he is affili- ated with the Woodmen of the World : he is also a member of the Everett Chamber of Commerce. Politically, he is an adherent of the Republican party. For a young man who has had to depend almost solely upon his own efforts, he has won a commendable success thus far in life and deserves to be known. as he is, as one of the city's rising young business men. straightforward, capable and aggressive in all he undertakes.

HERBERT DOUGLAS WESTBROOK (de- ceased ) .- Upon the death of him whose name forms the caption of this biographical review, as the result of sudden heart failure while rowing in rough water off Whidbey Island, July 9, 1905, the Everett Morning Tribune said editorially: "Ev- erett will miss Herbert D. Westbrook. Unselfish, clean, frank, truthful and unostentatious, filled with the love of nature and his fellow man, he was above the ordinary mortal." This is a fitting prelude to this necessarily brief sketch of one of Everett's pioneer business men.

Herbert Douglas Westbrook was a native of Jackson county, lowa, born September 30, 1852, the son of Robert and Louisa (Baldwin) West- brook. Both parents have passed away, the mother when Herbert D. was eighteen years of age, the father in recent years. Herbert D. received his early education in the schools of his district, later attending school at Sabula and graduating at Saginaw. Michigan. Not being very strong. he was obliged to leave school at an earlier age than he desired. Shortly afterward he took up the

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painter's and decorator's trade, which he followed during the remainder of his life with marked suc- cess. He commenced contracting on his own re- sponsibility at the age of eighteen while residing in lowa. Later he went to Nebraska, Michigan, Colorado and other central states, ever achieving success. He was employed by the B. & M. R. R. Co., lettering their cars, thus scattering the evi- dences of his skill all over the United States. In 18:9, he went to Bay City, Michigan, where he was employed in the offices and yards of Seth MeLean & Son, a large lumber and salt establishment. After two years with this concern, he returned to his former occupation, locating at Nebraska City. From that time until 1889 he remained in Nebraska, i then came to the Pacific Northwest, settling in Seattle. From there he went to Anacortes during the famous boom at that place, investing to some extent, but not liking the prospect, returned to Seat- tle. When the first rumors of the founding of a city on Port Gardner Bay reached the ears of Mr. Westbrook he hurried to the spot, and among the earliest pitched his tent and before long had more to do than he could well attend to. For months he was unable to build, so hard was he pressed for time. In the fall of 1891 there were hundreds of people on the site without houses or substantial buildings, and in the spring following there were thousands in hardly better condition. Little shacks were erected as boarding houses, which now serve as woodsheds. Mr. Westbrook was unusually suc- cessful in his chosen occupation, establishing a reputation as a skilled workman which marked him as a thorough man in whatever he undertook. His untimely death was mourned as a personal loss by all who knew him, for his unselfishness, his broad sympathies and his sincere integrity were the most prominent qualities of the man. He was a devoted, true sportsman and it was while engaged in this diversion that his life was cut short. Mr. West- brook was affiliated with but one fraternal order, the Woodmen of the World, was a liberal in his po- litical views and embraced no particular religious creed.

Miss Carrie Brush, the daughter of John and Lucy M. (Parker) Brush, became the bride of Mr. Westbrook May 20, 1879, while both were residents of Iowa, the ceremony being performed at Lyons. John Brush, born at Cambridge, Vermont, in Feb- ruary, 1832, of colonial ancestry, is a farmer by occupation and is still a resident of that state. Mrs. Brush, born July 6, 1833, in the Green Mountain state also, is also living, the Brush home being in sight of the old family homestead. She was a tail- oress in the days before machines came into use, and won high commendation for her skill. Mrs. Westbrook was born in Cambridge, Vermont, March 25, 1858. She came to Everett with her husband in the early days of its history, sharing

with him the hardships and rough life of those days. She opened what is thought to have been the first dressmaking establishment here, and made the gown worn by Everett's first high-school graduate. She still maintains this dressmaking establishment, it now being connected with the Grand Leader Dry Goods Company's large store. Her fine womanly qualities and courageous assumption of responsi- bilities have won for her the golden opinions of a host of friends and acquaintances and to them her present prosperity is most pleasant. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Westbrook two children were born: Seth C., born in Nebraska City, November 19, 1881 ; and Lucy Louisa, born July 6, 1891, who died in infancy. Seth C., having completed his edu- cation in the Everett schools, has taken up his father's work with a skill and an energy that be- token a promising future for him in this line of endeavor if he pursues it. Mrs. Westbrook is af- filiated with the Fraternal Union of America. The Westbrooks own a comfortable home at 3222 Rockefeller avenue, whose atmosphere of hospital- ity is widely known to all acquainted with the fam- ily.

PETER ANDERSEN, of the firm of Ander- sen Brothers, shingle manufacturers, is one of the men who succeed because of their energy and their ability to make the most of the possibilities lying before them. Within a very few years Mr. An- dersen has established himself as one of the leading shingle manufacturers of the county of Snohomish and one of its most progressive business men. Mr. Andersen was born in Denmark in the summer of 1869, one of the four children of Ludwig and Mary ( Hartvigsen ) Andersen, also natives of Denmark. The elder Andersen came to the United States with his family in 1839 and settled in Eureka, Green- wood county, Kansas, where he became a farmer and brick manufacturer. Peter Andersen received his education in the common and high schools of Kansas and carly indicated a liking and aptitude for mechanical work and study. In 1898 he was at- tracted to the Pacific slope as a field for his me- chanical skill and knowledge. He had been in Cali- fornia only a short time when the war with Spain broke out, and he enlisted in the Eighth California infantry, expecting to see service in the Philippines, but his command was assigned to garrison duty at Fort Vancouver, so it was in Washington that his term of service was passed. He received his hon- orable discharge in March of 1899 and at once re- turned to California, in which state he remained but a short time, however. Before the close of 1899 he was chief engineer in the mill of the Bucuda Lumber Company in Thurston county, Washington. The following year he came to Everett and ac- cepted the master mechanicship in the Everett smelter, a position which he continued to fill ac-

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ceptably for four years. In the fall of 1904 in com- courage a less resolute and fearless homeseeker. The following year he cut a road, and soon other settlers were attracted to this fertile region. The pany with his brothers, Louis and Andrew, Mr. Andersen erected the shingle mill located on the Snohomish river a mile and a half east of Lowell. | trip to Snohomish and return occupied an entire The mill is of modern construction and is equipped with the best and most up-to-date machinery ob- tainable. It has a capacity of 50,000 shingles a day and gives employment to from ten to fifteen men.

November 28, 1904, Mr. Andersen married Miss Anna Simm, a native of Norway, in which country her parents are still living. the father being en- gaged in farming. In politics Mr. Andersen is a Republican. In fraternal circles he is well known, being a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of the Ancient Order of United Work- men and of the Order of Ben Hur. When Alr. Andersen came to Washington he had no capital ex- cept his head and his hands, yet he has won a worthy success and he believes that the same oppor- tunities are still open to any young man of alertness and stamina. Hle is a progressive and liberal man, favorably known to all whom he has social or bnsi- ness dealings, and a real contributor to the upbuild- ing of Snohomish county.

JOSEPH DAVISON, to whom belongs the distinction of having been the pioneer settler on the banks of Lake Stevens, was born April 2, 1815, at Oxbury, Ontario, which was also the birthplace of his parents, Edward and Margaret ( Longkey) Davison. The father in addition to farming spent much time on the Long Sault river, and was drowned in its waters when but thirty years old. Ile took great pride in recalling that his father had actively participated in the famous battle of Water- loo in 1815, and that he lived to the remarkable age of 110 years.

Of a family of six children Joseph Davison is the second. His father died soon after he had passed his fourth birthday, and he was bat seven- teen at the time he began supporting himself by working in the woods of his native country. In 1811 he went to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, remaining there several years, during two of which he was employed by the Price Lumber Company. Ilis residence in Washington dates from 1880, at which time he came to Snohomish, then a tiny settlement composed of a few honses, a postoffice and store. He filed on the 160-acre homestead on which he lived until recently in 1885, and made that his home while working in the woods. To reach his home- stead he paddled up the Pilchuck river in a canoe, packed his goods over a trail to Lake Stevens, and made the rest of the journey up the lake in a ding- out. It was small wonder that he was the first white man to make a home in this wilderness, for the difficulties of reaching it were sufficient to dis-

day. Five years after coming here he was instru- mental in establishing the first school, and was one of its first directors. He still retains his interest in education, realizing how fundamental it is to the growth and progress of any community.

Mr. Davison was married in 1866 to Margaret Foubair, who died seven years later. In 1884 he was again married, Annie Dubuque, of Minnesota, then becoming his wife. Her parents were pioneer settlers on the Pilchuck river. She has three brothers living in Snohomish. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Davison: Mrs. Ida Russell, of Maple Falls, Washington; Joseph W., Lela. Dora and Russell. all at home. In politics Mr. Davison is independent, preferring to vote for the man instead of the party. He and his family are identified with the Catholic church. In 1898 he made a trip to Dawson, Alaska, and he remained nearly two years, during which time the only money he made was from the sale of moose, a cow and calf, that netted him $200. Mr. Davison brought 120 acres of his farm into excellent condition, and before he sold out was devoting the greater share of his time to dairying, making a specialty of Red Poll cattle. A beautiful home, built on an eleva- tion fronting the lake, testifies to his thoughtful consideration for the pleasure and happiness of his family, and gave substantial token of the success that had crowned his efforts, but on September ?, 1905, he sold this property and moved to Everett, where he left his family, going himself to the Sask- atchewan district. There he bought two sections of land and will begin farming in the spring of 1906.

HAROLD W. ILLMAN, one of the well known stockmen of Snohomish county, resides on his fine ranch, situated eight miles northeast of Everett. on Lake Stevens. He was born in Onon- daga county, New York, May 15, 1813. llis father, William Illman, a native of England, immi- grated to New York, and established the first cop- per and steel engraving house in the United States. The original firm was Illman & Son, Oxford Street. London, S. V. D., England. lle is now liv- ing at Sultan. Washington, at the advanced age of ninety. He also opened a branch house in Phila- delphia. The Philadelphia house, which still exists, was under his personal supervision until 1881. Martha ( Adams) Illman, the maternal ancestor, was a native of Massachusetts. Her death, at the age of forty-two, occurred in 1868. Harold W. Ill- man attended the schools of Pennsylvania in his boyhood, but completed his education in the Georgetown University, of Washington, D. C. He

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then mastered the art of bank note engraving, and spent nearly seven years, with his father, at this employment. He subsequently was employed as engraver for the Canadian and United States gov- ernments, and made his home in various cities. In 1883 he left Washington, D. C., coming to Seattle via San Francisco and Victoria, in the old steam- ship George W. Elder. Seattle was then boasting of her 4,000 inhabitants. He remained there but a few days, coming thence to Snohomish and on to Sultan. At the latter point he took up a homestead of 160 acres, which could be reached only by a thirty-five mile trip up the river in a canoe. Sno- homish was the nearest town where mail could be received and supplies purchased. For four years the river was the only means of transportation. In 1890, after selling his claim, Mr. Illman came to Lake Stevens and built the first saw mill on the lake. He was getting substantially started in this enterprise when the financial depression of 1893 paralyzed business throughout the country, and caused the loss of this property together with a large amount of lumber that he had taken from a several hundred tract of land of which he had be- come the owner some years previous to this time. The farm was all he saved from the wreck of his fortune, and he moved on it without sufficient means to purchase even a sack of flour. Un- daunted, however, by his heavy losses, lie set him- self resolutely to the task of farming for profit. Three years later he branched out into fancy stock raising, and is now the possessor of some unusually fine thoroughbred Jersey cattle, among which is to be found Pet's Melia Ann't King. a registered bull. He is also a poultry fancier, breeding barred and white Plymouth Rocks. At the Yakima state fair in 1904 his birds won the first and second prizes. Being naturally very fond of dogs, his kennel of thoroughbred Collies is his special pride and de- light. He has recently purchased a dog bred from the winner of the first prize at the Saint Louis Fair of 1905.

Mr. Illman and Catharine A. Gage were united in marriage August 18, 1864. Mrs. Illman is a na- tive of Ogdensburg. N. Y., the daughter of Ste- phen and Margaret (Briggs) Gage. Her father. a commission merchant, was born in New Hampshire May 8, 1806, and died in 1890. The mother, a na- tive of New York, was born November 6, 1810: her death occurred in 1886. Mrs. Hliman was one of the first white women to find a home at Sultan, and she is therefore very familiar with the trials and deprivations incident to pioneer life. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Illman. as follows: Mrs. Mabel Missimer and Mrs. Mar- garet Eldridge, both of Everett; Grace, born Au- gust 10, 1868, died July 10, 1878; Olive, born July 24, 1882, drowned in Lake Stevens, July 11, 1894. Mr. Ilman is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

having joined while residing in Ottawa, Canada. He is a loyal Republican, and always takes an ac- tive part in political matters, serving as county commissioner in 1886. For the convenience of his community Mr. Illman holds a notary public's com- mission. The Congregational church claims him and his wife as adherents to her doctrines. He and his estimable wife are among the most popular members of the community, and their home is one of charming hospitality. During the years of his residence here Mr. Illman has come to be recog- nized as one of the county's influential citizens, one whose character is above reproach. Broadly in- telligent, refined and courteous, he holds as friends all who are in any way associated with him.

GILBERT H. MALKSON, a prosperous far- mer residing six miles east and two north of Ev- erett, on Lake Stevens, was born in Topsfield, Washington county, Maine, September 19, 1853. He is the son of William V. Malkson, a native of New Brunswick, born in 1819. His parents, well known pioneers of Maine, cut the first road leading from the Saint John river to that state. Marjorie (Regan) Malkson, the mother, was born in New Brunswick in 1824, and died in 1896. Her hus- band's death occurred two years later. By dili- gently improving the opportunities afforded by the common schools of his native state, Gilbert H. Malkson acquired a good education before he was fourteen years old. He then worked with his father on the farm, becoming thoroughly familiar with the various departments of the work. After pass- ing his twenty-second birthday he went to Massa- chusetts and remained two years, then in 1877 he located in the Black Hills of Dakota, where he mined and prospected for four years. Going thence to Perry creek in east Kootenay, he, with seven others, formed the Perry Creek Mining Company, to locate and develop placer ground, but the under- taking proved a failure, causing the loss of all Mr. Malkson had been able to accumulate in the previ- ous years. He went thence to Sand Point, Idaho. in 1882, and there he took the contract for supply- ing a portion of the piles used in constructing the Northern Pacific railroad bridge over Lake Pend d'Oreille. He also furnished ties for the same company, being engaged in contracting for two years. His fortunes having been thus retrieved in a measure, he then returned to the Black Hills, where he was engaged in the cattle business from 1884 to 1890. That region about 1890 was visited by a terrible drought. Times were very hard and business of all kinds suffered, hence Mr. Malkson decided to remove to Los Angeles, California. After an extended visit there, he brought his wife, in the spring of 1891. to Snohomish, and at once embarked in the restaurant business, to which he

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BIOGRAPHICAL

devoted his energies for the ensuing six years. ! During this time he purchased the farm he now owns, employing men to work on it while he was living in town. Six years ago he moved onto it. and with the exception of a nineteen-month's resi- dence in town, he has made it his home continut- ously since that time. He has five acres in fruit, and is making a specialty of horticulture. He has twenty acres cleared and in cultivation,' and thirty in timber.

Mr. Malkson was married in Los Angeles, California, January 5, 1891, to Annie Champion, a native of Brenbrook, Ontario, who spent the first six years of her life there, then came to the United States, making her home in turn in Indiana, Dakota and California. prior to her marriage. She is the daughter of William and Annie Champion. The father, a native of England, is now residing near Edmonton, Alberta ; the mother died in Los Ange- Jes, California. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Malkson : Earl G., Bennie, H., Maud. Bertha and Rufus. Mr. Malkson is independent in political affairs. The cause of education appeals strongly to him, and he is one of the most progres- sive members of the local school board. He is also road supervisor, an enterprising and industrious farmer, and a loyal, upright citizen, he holds the esteem and respect of his fellow men.

highway. For several years they averaged two weeks a season in this work of making and im- proving the roads. In 1891 he assisted in organiz- ing the first school held here. During the first few years of his residence Mr. Robinet worked in the woods in the summer, and spent the winter season in improving his land. He now owns a neat, taste- ful home, and intends to devote his entire time to fruit raising.

Mr. Robinet and Miss Anna N. Tinker were united in marriage in March, 1901. Mrs. Robinet, a native of Angola, Steuben county, Indiana, is a daughter of distinguished parents. Her father, Asa M. Tinker, was born in Ashtabula county, Ohio, in 1821, moved to Indiana in the early days, and be- came an horoned pioneer of that state. In later life he made his home in Michigan, and he died in Harrison in 1900. As he held the office of post- master at the time of the Civil War he was exempt from the service he would so gladly have rendered his country. He is remembered by his acquaint- ances as a lawyer of unusual ability, who at one time was prosecuting attorney for five counties. He retired from active practice in the legal profession with a record of which any man might well be proud. Orcina W. (Parish) Tinker, the mother, who now lives with her daughter, Mrs. Robinet, is also a native of the Buckeye state, born in Lorraine county in 1832. Her father was one of the first trustees of Oberlin College. Possessed of remark- able mental endowments, she began teaching when but fourteen years of age, this special privilege having been granted to her owing to her father's dlecease the previous year. Bringing to her work not only a trained intellect, but also a peculiar apti- tude for imparting knowledge to others, she rapidly won success in her chosen profession. She has a sister aged sixty-five, who for the past twenty years has taught in the same room in the Angola high school in Indiana. Mrs. Robinet was herself a teacher for several years, and is a lady of ability, fitted to grace any position in life. She and her husband are both identified with the Yeoman fra- ternity, while in religious faith they are Episco- palians. Mr. Robinet is a loyal member of the Re- publican party. He is known as a thrifty, industri- ous man, of upright character, and is respected by the entire community.

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An illustrated history of Skagit and Snohomish Counties; their people, their commerce and their resources, with an outline of the early history of the state of Washington, Part 169

Author: Inter-state Publishing Company (Chicago, Ill.) Publication date: 1906 Publisher: [Chicago] Interstate Publishing Company Number of Pages: 1172

Author: Inter-state Publishing Company (Chicago, Ill.)
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: [Chicago] Interstate Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1172