An illustrated history of Spokane county, state of Washington, Part 52

Author: Edwards, Jonathan, 1847-1929. cn
Publication date: 1900
Publisher: [San Francisco?] W.H. Lever
Number of Pages: 888

USA > Washington > Spokane County > An illustrated history of Spokane county, state of Washington > Part 52

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He is the only one in his particular line in Fair- field at present, and by strict attention to the wants of his customers and excellent workman- ship is building up an extensive and lucrative business. He is an active, industrious young man, richly deserving of success and sure to at- tain it. He was married in Spokane October 8. 1898, to Miss Ida Weyrauch, a native of Switzerland.

JOHN L. SPATH. merchant at Fairfield, is a native of Springfield, Illinois, born Novem- ber 7. 1855. When twenty-two years old he went to Leadville. Colorado, where he followed min- ing until 1881. He then returned home to Illi- nois, but in March, 1882, came to Spokane. The next August he went to Seattle. remaining there until March, 1883, then returned to Spokane and with three companions went up into the Osooyoes lake country on a mining expedition. On their return they went to the Cœur d' Alenes, where Mr. Spath discovered a good placer claim. Shortly afterward he sold this. returned to Spokane and became salesman for the Great Eastern Company. He remained with them until 1884. then entered the employ of the Lowenburg Brothers, for whom he worked continuously until 1891. From that time until 1894 he was engaged in mining in British Columbia and he is now the owner of some very valuable copper claims there. Re- turning from the mines, he went to Fairfiekl, purchased the store of Messrs. Gimble & Son and established his present business, of which he is sole owner. He carries a full line of gen- eral merchandise and gents' furnishing goods. valued at fifteen thousand dollars, and he does ar. annual business of from forty thousand dol- lars to fifty thousand dollars. Mr. Spathi is a very active, industrious and progressive man,

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HISTORY OF SPOKANE COUNTY.

possessed of a degree of energy and determina- tion which enables him to succeed in business where others would fail. Of late years he has devoted his attention almost exclusively to his large and exacting business, but formerly he used to be quite active in politics and was once elected city assessor of Springfield, Illinois. Fraternally he is a member of the K. of P. He was married in Spokane October 1, 1895, to Lela Jones and they have one daughter, Regina, aged three years.

ALBERT J. LAUGHON, attorney-at-law, son of John E. and Fanny A. Laughon, was born in Gainesville, Texas, December 10, 1873. When two years old he was taken by his parents to Missouri and in 1880 he accompanied them on their long journey by team to Washington. They located on a farm four miles northeast of Waverly, but the father is now a resident of Marshall and the mother died in February, 1895. Mr. Laughon received his education in Spokane, attending the public schools, and later graduating from the Spokane Business College. He taught school in Liberty district, near Spangle, for nine months, then was instructor in bookkeeping in the Spokane Business College six months, but finally entered the office of Tur- ner & Graves and began the study of law. He was admitted to the bar by the supreme court in 1897, and for two years thereafter practiced in Spokane. In June, 1899, he removed to Fairfield and until recently maintained an office there and at Waverly. He was furthermore editor of the Waverly Optimist. In January, 1900, he sold out his interest to his partner, O. H. Loe, and since that time has been as- sociated in the practice of law with the firm of Graves & Graves in Spokane. He is a member

of Imperial Lodge, No. 134, I. O. O. F. Mr. Laughon is a very enterprising, ambitious young man and one who seems destined to ad- vance rapidly to the front rank in his pro- fession.

CHARLIE A. LOY, hardware and imple- ment dealer at Fairfield, son of Samuel A. and Mary A. Loy, was born in Emporia, Kansas, November 28, 1860. He was raised in his native state. attended the State Normal School there, taking a special course also in Pirkey's Business College, from which institution he re- ceived a diploma. In 1882 he came to Washı- ington, but moved that fall to Salem, Oregon, where he remained for the winter season. The following spring he returned to this state and located about five miles west of Fairfield on a farm. He moved into the town in 1892 and en- gaged in the real estate business and in harness- making, and two years later he became inter- ested also in an implement and grain business. In 1897, in company with Thomas D. Hench, he purchased the business. They ran it con- jointly until June 1, 1899, when they incor- porated, the firm now comprising Messrs. C. A. Loy, Thomas D. Hench, J. C. Lodge and J. T. Cobb. They also opened a branch house in Waverly. The Fairfield store was incor- porated with a capital stock of fifteen thousand dollars and carries a complete line of hardware. stoves, furnishings and farming implements, doing an annual business of about twenty-five thousand dollars. Mr. Loy is one of the most successful business men in Fairfield and he owes his success to his own energy, perseverance and native commercial ability, having started in life with no capital and nothing to depend upon ex- cept his education and his push. He was mar- ried in Spokane county on June 7, 1886, to

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HISTORY OF SPOKANE COUNTY.

Rosa N. Prigmore, a native of Missouri, and they have three children: Mabel A., Samuel H. and John R.

ALEXANDER GLASGOW, manager of the Fairfield branch of the Centennial Mill Company, was born in Indiana December 27, 1863. He received his education in that state, but at the age of twenty years came to Spo- kane, Washington, and began work for the C. C. Flour Milling Company. He remained in their mill until 1887, then was engaged in purchasing wheat for them until 1890, when he accepted a position from the Northern Pacific Elevator Company. After remaining with that firm two years he moved to Fairfield and re- ceived from the Centennial Mill Company the responsible position he still retains. He has charge of one of the largest warehouses in that part of the Palouse country and does an annual business of about seventy-five thousand dollars. A progressive, farseeing and successful busi- ness man, he is also one of the leading citizens of the town, ever ready to do all in his power to promote the best interests of Fairfield and the common good. He is a prominent member of the I. O. O. F. fraternity, affiliated at present with Spangle Lodge, No. 50. His brother, Edwin Glasgow, who was born in Indiana in July, 1865, came to Washington at the same time in which Alexander did and is now lo- cated at Latah, serving as head miller for the Spokane Grain & Milling Company.

WILLIAM H. KOONTZ, a pioneer of 1886, was born in Iowa, March 23. 1847. When he was eight years old his parents re-

moved to Harrison county, Missouri, where they remained, engaged in farming, until 1893, when they came to. Spokane. About seven years before that, however, William H. and his brother, accompanied by three other fami- lies, had come out to this county, and Mr. Koontz had purchased one hundred and sixty acres of school land and engaged in farming forthwith. He now has a fine farm about six and a half miles east of Fairfield, and is en- gaged in wheat raising and general farming. He is one of the prominent citizens of his com- munity and takes an active and intelligent part il: affairs of local interest. He has served as school director of district No. 82 for a num- ber of years, and is now deputy assessor for Fairfield township. He was married in Har- rison county, Missouri, January 5. 1871, to Fhebe Jones, a native of Illinois, born Novem- ber 19, 1852. They have a family of five chil- dren, George H., Edna M., Frank L .. Jacob M. and Hazel G. Mrs. Koontz's parents. L. G. and Mary Jones, were among the early pio- neers of Missouri.

HENRY H. BROCKMAN, a pioneer of 1881, was born in Monroe county, Missouri. January 10. 1841. He early adopted farming as his occupation. In 1861 he enlisted in the Fourth Missouri Cavalry. Company F. and throughout the whole four years of the war he defended the flag with loyalty and courage, participating in many hard fought engage- ments, among which are Springfieldl. Lexington, Independence. Big Blue Mountain and Mine Creek. Ile was mustered out with the rank of corporal . April 9. 1865. After the war he re- turned home aud resumed his accustomed oc- cupation, remaining there continuously until

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HISTORY OF SPOKANE COUNTY.

1881, when he came to Washington. Arrived here he located in the vicinity of Rockford and again engaged in farming. He has a fine quar- ter-section of land, fertile, well cultivated and highly improved. He is one of the substantial citizens of his community and enjoys in the fullest measure the confidence and esteem of his neighbors. Fraternally he is affiliated with Fairview Lodge, No. 40, I. O. O. F., at Rock- ford, Washington, also with the G. A. R. He was married in Missouri December 24, 1865, to Caroline Ruhl, a native of Ohio, and they are parents of six children : Levi R., Emma J., wife of \V. A. Stark, Richard A., Phanuel, Ira D. and John. Their oldest son, Levi R., born in Missouri December 9, 1866, is now at Rock- ford in the furniture business. He is also a tonsorial artist, the only one in town. As a citizen he ranks among the leading men of Rockford, being energetic and public spirited, and his genial, obliging manner makes him a universal favorite. He was married in Rock- ford February 19, 1891, to Ruby C. Hegna and they have three children : Leva F., Bernice and Frances.

ALFRED J. IANSON, blacksmith, a pioneer of 1887, was born in Ontario, Canada, December 25. 1866. He was raised and edu- cated in his native land and also learned his trade there. In 1887, he removed to Michi- gan, and from that state he came the same year to Spokane county, finally locating in Waverly, Washington. He at once set up a shop in the town and began to build up the splendid trade which has stayed with him so constantly dur- ing all the years which have elapsed since. He is the pioneer blacksmith of Waverly, and still does the largest business. He owns a fine residence in the town, tastefully and com-

fortably furnished. As a citizen, he is public spirited, enterprising and substantial, though not ambitious for leadership or for office, and no man is more highly esteemed and respected than he. He was married in Spokane. Octo- ber 1. 1887, to Miss Annie Hall, and they have had three children, Maude E., born June 14, 1893. living, also Charles W. and an infant, deceased.

HERMAN H. ADAMS, farmer, a pioneer of 1881, was born in Prussia July 12, 1839. When eleven years old he came to America and lived in Tennessee three years, then went to Iowa, where for five or six years he was en- gaged in farming. He then spent two years in Missouri, afterward returning to Iowa. In October, 1861, Mr. Adams enlisted in the Fif- teenth Iowa Infantry. He was in the army two years, participating in the battles of Shiloh and Corinth and in many important skirmishes. In 1863 he was honorably discharged on ac-' count of disability. He then returned to Iowa and was engaged in a livery business for two years, but subsequently turned his attention to farming again. After following that occupa- tion for seven years he removed to the Willa- mette valley, where for eight years he was en- gaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1881 he came to Fairfield, Washington, locating on a ranch about a mile and a half from town. He' now has a fine home and a farm of about six hundred acres, upon which he raises wheat and stock principally. He is one of the thrifty, . enterprising, well-to-do farmers of his com- munity, also a leading and representative citi- zen, taking an active interest in the affairs of general concern in his neighborhood. He is a great friend of education and has served as school director for several terms. He was mar-

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HISTORY OF SPOKANE COUNTY.

ried in Ottumwa, Iowa, February 13, 1866. to Annie L. Moore, of that state. They have a family of six children : William J., Minnie, Lemuel E., John W., Roy J. and Otto U .; also an adopted daughter, Dollie. Mrs. Adams is the only daughter of the Hon. James H. Moore, ex-judge of the superior court of Fulton coun- ty, Indiana. Her mother, Lucretia Butler, was a daughter of one of the famous Morgan family of Virginia.

JOHN B. KELSO, wheelwright and wag- onmaker, a pioneer of 1877, was born in In- diana, October 30, 1829. When he was ten years old his parents removed to Clinton county, Indiana, where the mother died in 1845. Here Mr. Kelso grew to manhood, re- ceiving most of his education and partly learn- ing his trade, both of which were completed in Boone county. In 1853 he returned to his old home in Clinton county and in September of the same year he went to Buchanan county, Iowa. Here he was engaged as a carpenter for more than a year, subsequently removing to Marshall county, Iowa, where he resided until 1857. He next tried farming in Kansas for a couple of years, then went to Golden City, Colorado, and remained till 1861, thence going to Omaha, Nebraska, and from that city to Fort Lyon, Kansas, drawing a freight team over the entire distance. On the 16th of Jan- uary he returned to Leavenworth, remaining till April I, then went to St. Joe, Missouri, thence to Omaha. He joined Captain Craw- ford's escort there and crossed the plains to Baker City, Oregon. He then lived for brief periods in the Gaines Creek (Idaho) mining district, Walla Walla, Grande Ronde Valley, Oregon, and Bannock, now called Idaho City, Idaho, finally locating at Umatilla, Oregon,

where for the ensuing ten years he followed his trade. He next returned to Baker City and worked at wagonmaking for two years, then went to Walla Walla, following the same occupation there until 1877. In that year he located on Hangman creek, near Waverly, where he has resided ever since, except for a couple of years, during which he was engaged at his trade in Spokane. He now combines the pursuit of his handicraft with farming and is doing nicely, he being the only mechanic of that kind in the neighborhood. Mr. Kelso is one of the oldest settlers of Spokane county. He is a typical pioneer, possessing the courage, endurance and stamina essential to the success- ful frontiersman, and he has seen a great deal of life in the forefront of civilization in this and neighboring states.

HON. JOSEPH M. COVINGTON was born in Kentucky. May 25, 1825. He grew to manhood and received his education in that state, but as soon as he attained his majority he went to Illinois and was engaged in the mercantile business and school teaching for six or seven years. He then started on the over- land trail for California, going by ox-team and consuming a little over four months on the journey. He located in the northern part of the state and remained there nine years en- gaged in mining. but subsequently went to Yolo county, where for three years he taught school. He then followed teaching in Sonoma county five years, then teaching and farming in Mendocino county for ten. His next move was to Walla Walla, Washington. from which city he moved. in 1879. to Spokane county. locating on a farm about two miles west of where Fairfield now is. He homesteaded one

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hundred and sixty acres of excellent land and engaged in general farming and stock raising. Mr. Covington was always quite a leader among his fellowmen, taking an active interest in political matters, and himself holding many important offices. He was chief of police in Oroville, California, and served as justice of the peace there for two terms, and as superin- tendent of schools for one. He was also a member of the state legislature for one term. He was married in Kentucky in 1850, but his wife died two years later. In 1866 he was again married, the lady being Mrs. Amanda Gentry, a native of Missouri. They have six children, Leebeaure, Robert Monroe, Patrick Henry, Ada, now wife of Henry Keuhne, John C. and Elmer. Mr. Covington died February 19, 1900. Mrs. Covington has three children by her former husband, Rhodes, J. W. and Samuel R.

JAMES HAYS, a pioneer of 1879. son of McBrill and Mary Hays, was born in Saline county, Missouri, August 27, 1847. He was raised and educated there and spent the first thirty-one years of his life in that state, en- gaged, after reaching years of maturity, mostly in farming and stock raising. In 1864. how- ever, he joined the Confederate army, and he served under General Price until the close of the war, being mustered out in Louisiana in 1865. In 1879 he came to that part of Stevens county which now constitutes Spokane county, locating finally on Hangman creek, midway between Fairfield and Waverly, where he now has a farm of about eight hundred acres, all of which is in an excellent state of cultivation. He raises wheat principally, but is also inter- ested in stock raising. Mr. Hays is one of the most thrifty, progressive and successful

farmers in his part of the county, but he al- ways finds time to take an active interest in the political affairs of county and state. He was one of the commissioners of this county in 1891 and 1892, and has held the office of school director in district No. 10 for the past fifteen years. He was married in Bates coun- ty. Missouri. April 3. 1879. to Alice, daughter of William and Nancy Johnson, and they have had five children, namely: Mary Edna, born March 3. 1881. deceased April 4. 1900: Cora Mamie, born August 16. 1882: Claude Mc- Bride, born January 1. 1885: Jesse Warner, born October 31. 1886, and Roy W .. born February 22, 1890.

JOHN FRODSHAM, watchmaker and jeweler, was born in St. Louis, Missouri, Sep- tember 6, 1848. In 1850 his parents removed to San Francisco, traveling by ox-teams. When seventeen years old he went to London, Eng- land, and began an apprenticeship under his uncle, Charles Frodsham, a prominent watch- maker of that great city. At the end of his seven years' apprenticeship he returned to Cali- fornia, entered into business with his father, and remained thus engaged until 1878. He then lived in Arizona two years, but subsequently returning to California located in Marys- vale, where he followed his calling until Feb- ruary, 1881. He next came to Spokane, Wash- ington and went to work for L. W. Rima, a watchmaker, by whom he was employed until 1884, when he removed to Chicago and engaged in business for himself. Two years later he came to Waverly, Washington, and thence a year afterward he returned to San Francisco. He was there one year, then went to Alameda county, where the ensuing eight or nine years

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HISTORY OF SPOKANE COUNTY.

of his life were spent. During his residence there he took quite an active interest in local af- fairs, serving as deputy sheriff for a while, also two terms as constable. He returned at length to Waverly, where his residence and place of business now are. Mr. Frodsham spent a long apprenticeship at his trade and has since de- voted himself assiduously to the mastery of every detail of his business, so that he is naturally one of the finest mechanics in the state. Fra- ternally he is affiliated with the F. & A. M. and the Red Men. He was married in Waverly May 16, 1885, to Charlotte Brittendall, a native of Minnesota, and they have one child living, Kenneth.

WILLIAM H. LAMBERT, farmer, son of James W. and Mary J. Lambert, was born in the Willamette valley, Oregon, July 25, 1866. He was reared in that state, receiving his education in the public school, but, on at- taining his majority, came to Spokane county. and at once engaged in farming and stock rais- ing. He has a fine farm of two hundred and forty acres, purchased in 1891, the agreement being that he should pay wheat instead of cash for the land. He has since delivered over eighteen thousand bushels of wheat in pay- ment of the purchase price of his farm. His farm is situated one and a half miles northeast of the town of Fairfield. Mr. Lambert is one of the most thrifty, industrious and progres- sive farmers in his section of the country and is achieving an excellent success where others less resolute would have failed. He was mar- ried in Waverly, Washington, January 1, 1889. to Miss Belle Tyree, a native of Missouri, born May 28, 1868, and to their union have been born four children, namely : Lillie M., Albert

C., Aren E. and Alta G. Mrs. Lambert's parents are natives of Missouri, but have dwelt in this county since 1887.

JOHN H. VANWART, manager of the Fairfield Farmers' Alliance Warehouse & Elevator Company, was born in New Bruns- wick, Canada, October 7. 1862. He grew to manhood in the province of his nativity, but. on attaining his majority, left for Montana, where he passed the summer of 1883. He thence proceeded to Alberta, Canada, and lived there continuously until 1890, engaged in stock raising and various other occupations. From there he went to Centralia. Washington, whence, after a residence of nine months, he removed to Nelson, British Columbia, and from that town, in 1891, he came to Spokane. His next move was to Fairfield, Washington, to accept a position with the Pacific Coast Elevator Company, by whom he was employed for two years. Subsequently he went to Latah and secured a situation with Mr.D.T. Ham, but in the spring of 1894 he returned to Alberta. In 1896, however, he came back to Fairfield. He worked for the Fairfield Farmers' Alliance Warehouse & Elevator Company a year, and when the plant was leased to Mr. Ham, of Latah, he continued to work in its interests for another year. At the expiration of the lease he was given the position of manager, and he has been employed in that capacity ever since. Mr. Vanwart is a perfectly capable and trust- worthy man, and is giving excellent satisfac- tion in every way, both to the company and the patrons of his warehouse. He also takes an interest in the general welfare of the com- munity, contributing his share toward every enterprise which promises to promote the best

A. D. THAYER Waverly

JAMES HAYS Waverly

WILLIAM CONNOLLY Waverly

J. T. HOLLIS Waverly

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HISTORY OF SPOKANE COUNTY.

interests of the community. He is now clerk of . the district school and has been for a year past. He was married in Spokane September 19. 1893, to Bertha Kuehne, a native of Illi- nois.

GEORGE DESGRANGES, farmer and stock raiser, a pioneer of 1880, was born in New York state January 13, 1861. While he was a child his parents removed to Iowa, and he was reared on a farm there and edu- cated in the public schools of that state. In 1880 he came to Spokane county, located at Rockford and engaged in farming and stock raising, a business which he has followed con- tinuously since. He is one of the substantial citizens of that section of the county and one of the most successful and prgressive farmers in his community. He was married in Rock- ford, July 2, 1882, to Mary E., a daughter of William R. and Susannah Smotherman, and a native of Missouri. They have six children, Elsie L., Harvey H., Georgie A., Oliver L., Walter W. and Hughie A.

MORDECAI O. McCOY, farmer, a pio- meer of 1877, was born in Jackson county, Michigan, October 16, 1844 In his infancy he was taken by his parents to Ohio, and grew to manhood and was educated in that state. Upon his father's death, he was occupied about four years in settling up the estate. In 1872 he removed to Kansas and began teaching, but soon went to California and thence, in June, 1873, to Tacoma, Washington, from which city he later removed to the Willamette val- ley. He taught there two years, also spent considerable time on the coast in various oc-

cupations. In October, 1877, he came to the vicinity of Rockford, homesteaded one hun- dred and sixty acres of land and commenced farming. This place he afterwards sold, but he now has a splendid little farm of eighty acres about three miles east of Rockford, which he is improving and cultivating. Mr. McCoy has not. however, given his entire time to farming since coming to the county, but has been engaged as bookkeeper and in the lumber business for a number of years. He is one of the influential and representative men of his community, taking a lively interest in po- litical matters and in everything pertaining to the general well-being. He at one time filled the office of county assessor, discharging his duties faithfully and in a manner eminently satisfactory to the general public. Being a very early pioneer, he has had many exciting experiences with the red men, and has fre- quently been present at their minor councils. During the Civil war Mr. McCoy served for more than three years, participating in many important engagements. He belonged suc- cessively to the Third, Eighty-sixth and the One Hundred and Fifteenth Ohio Volunteer In- fantry. His father, Colonel Lewis McCoy, entered the army as captain of the One Hun- dred and Fifteenth Ohio, and was promoted to the colonelcy of the Fifth United States.

CHARLES E. HILL, proprietor of the Bellevue Hotel at Fairfield. was born in Win- throp, Buchanan county, Missouri, August 9, 1868. About a year after his birth his parents moved to Kansas, where they remained for six years. They then went to Guthrie county, Iowa, but soon returned to Kansas, where the mother died. About two years later the father,

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An illustrated history of Spokane county, state of Washington, Part 52

Author: Edwards, Jonathan, 1847-1929. cn Publication date: 1900 Publisher: [San Francisco?] W.H. Lever Number of Pages: 888

Author: Edwards, Jonathan, 1847-1929. cn
Publication date: 1900
Publisher: [San Francisco?] W.H. Lever
Number of Pages: 888