USA > Washington > Spokane County > An illustrated history of Spokane county, state of Washington > Part 53
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HISTORY OF SPOKANE COUNTY.
who had been probate judge of Rush county, Kansas, moved again to Iowa and remarried. Charles E. remained in Iowa until about seven- teen years of age, then went to Mitchell, South Dakota, but after a residence of a year and a half he moved to Seattle, Washington. He was there only a short time, however, for in 1888 he came to Spokane, and made a trip over some of the surrounding country. Re- turning to this city, he resided here about a year, then moved to Ogden, Utah, where he went into business for a year. He subse- quently returned to Spokane, engaged in the cigar and tobacco business, and was thus em- ployed until 1895. In that year, however, he removed to British Columbia and turned his attention towards the hotel business and min- ing in Rossland, Trail and. Kelso. He re- mained in the British Columbia mining re- gion about three years, then came to Fairfield and purchased the hotel of which he is now proprietor and manager. He is also inter- ested in a business at Waverly. Mr. Hill is a good, substantial, enterprising citizen, and stands well in the community in which he re- sides. He was married in Spokane, March 31, 1898, to Eta M. Anderson, who was born about four miles from Fairfield, in this county, June 9, 1882.
HON. DEWITT C. FARNSWORTH, druggist, a pioneer of 1878, was born in New York state. February 16, 1853. While still an infant he was taken by his parents to Wiscon- sin, thence, three years later, to Illinois, and from that state, in 1858, to Ohio, where they remained about seven years. They then moved to Iowa and here the father died. They next resided in Illinois for four years and in Kansas for seven, but in 1874 Mr.
Farnsworth came to Chico, California, whence after a residence of four years, he moved to Washington, finally locating at Rockford. He had studied pharmacy considerably while in Kansas, and in 1892 opened a first-class drug business in the town, with a full and complete line of drugs and druggists' sundries. In March, 1898, he opened a hardware store. also, with a stock worth about four thousand dollars,consisting of hardware and farming im- plements, etc., and he is doing an annual busi- ness of about ten thousand dollars in that line. In earlier years Mr. Farnsworth was quite extensively interested in the lumber and mill- ing business. He built the first flour mill in Rockford. hauling the machinery by wagon from Walla Walla. He has always mani- fested a deep interest in the town and has been one of the most prominent men in placing Rockford in its present prosperous condition. In the municipal government. also, he has taken an active part. serving at one time as mayor of the city. He has, moreover, served as justice of the peace for two years, and as postmaster for five. Fraternally, Mr. Farns- worth is a prominent Mason. He was mar- ried in Farmington, Washington, July II, 1880, to Mollie E. Lane, a native of Kansas, and they have three children. Bessie R., Ina G. and George A.
Mr. Farnsworth and his entire family affiliate with the Methodist Episcopal church.
JOSEPH M. GALLAHER. farmer, was born in Putnam county, Illinois. August 19. 1833. He was early taken by his parents to Iowa, and there he lived until 1845. then re- moved with them to the Willamette valley. Oregon, where he received his education.
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HISTORY OF SPOKANE COUNTY.
Subsequently he engaged in farming, and fol- lowed that occupation there for nineteen years, then in Douglas county, Oregon, for three years. He resided in Umatilla county for the ensuing fourteen years, during four of which he held the office of justice of the peace. He then spent about nine years as a farmer in Walla Walla county, subsequently coming to Whitman county, where he tried the hotel business for a year. His next move was to the vicinity of Rockford, and he has lived there continuously since, engaged for some years past in stock raising. In addition to his other work, Mr. Gallaher has performed his duties as a minister of the Gospel for more than half century. He began preaching for the a Methodists in southern Oregon, and continued his ministry in that denomination until his ar- rival in Spokane county. He was the first Methodist pastor north of The Dalles, Oregon, preaching the first Methodist sermon ever heard in that part of the country. Since com- ing to Rockford he has preached for the United Brethren. In 1849 and the few years follow- ing he had many exciting skirmishes with the Indians and not a few adventures of a pre- carious character. He was married in Linn county, Oregon, August 9, 1857, to Mary A. Kees, a native of Missouri, who crossed the plains with her parents at an early date. They have a family of six children living, namely : Joseph E., Oscar S., Amy Z., Lucy J., Nellie A. and Irvin A.
CYRUS BANKSON, farmer, a pioneer of 1884, is a native of Moultrie county, Illi- nois, born October 9, 1854. He was reared and educated in the state of his birth, and fol- lowed farming and school teaching there until
thirty years old. He then came to Spokane county and engaged in stock raising. Subse- quently he homesteaded a fine claim in the Mount Hope neighborhood, where he resided until recently, when he moved into Spokane City to educate his children. Mr. Bankson has always taken an active interest in every under- taking for the advancement of the general wel- fare, ever manifesting a willingness to lend a helping hand in promoting the intellectual and social advancement of his neighborhood. He served as deputy county assessor under A. W. Strong. He is a very enthusiastic and active man in the I. O. O. F., which he joined at Mt. Zion, Illinois. He was married in Moul- trie county, Illinois, November 19. 1879, to Mary A. Hill, a native of that state, and they are parents of four children : Nellie, born Au- gust 18, 1882: Edgar F., born January 2, 1885; Estella G., born September 2, 1889. and Ada, born October 10, 1892.
JESSE B. GILBERT, real estate, insur- ance and loan agent. a pioneer of 1880, is a native of Benton county, Oregon, born May 1, 1852. He was educated in the public schools and at Willamette University. located in Salem, Oregon. When twenty-seven years old he removed to Spokane county, Washing- ton, where he homesteaded land, and where for eight years he was engaged in farming. He then moved to Rockford and for a long time gave his attention to music teaching, also serving as leader of the town band. He gradually became interested in other pursuits and in the fall of 1890 engaged in his present business, making a specialty of handling farm property. Mr. Gilbert is one of the leading and representative citizens of Rockford, act-
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HISTORY OF SPOKANE COUNTY.
ively interested in every enterprise for the up- building of the town and for its material or social melioration. He has served as justice of the peace for five consecutive years, and is well posted in all legal points, having many cases to conduct in the lower courts. During the many years of his residence in Rockford, he has held numerous municipal offices, dis- charging the duties of each with faithfulness, skill and ability, and in a manner reflecting credit upon himself and giving perfect satis- faction to the community. Mr. Gilbert is greatly interested in mining, holding stock in several good claims and being one of the pioneer prospectors and developers of Camp Gilbert. He was married in Linn county, Oregon, February 26, 1873, to Miss Irena D., a daughter of Russel and Diantha Watts, and a native of that state. They have five children, namely : Laura A., Clyde W., Claude D., Elva J. and Georgia H.
JOHN B. SMITH, retired farmer, a pioneer of 1888, is a native of Illinois, born March 20, 1839. On July 5, 1861, he be- came a member of Company B, Forty-first Illi- nois Volunteer Infantry. He served his country faithfully for a year and a half, but was then honorably discharged on ac- count of disability. He saw much hard fighting, and participated in the engage- ments at Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, and Pittsburg Landing, also in numerous skir- mishes, receiving a bullet wound at Fort Don- elson. After leaving the army he returned to Illinois and followed farming there until the fall of 1867, when he removed to Wilson county. Kansas. Here he resumed his former occupation until 1888. In that year, however,
wishing to find a more salubrious climate, he came west, and at length decided to make his home in Spokane county. Accordingly he lo- cated on a farm five miles west of Rockford and immediately engaged in farming and stock raising. He has one hundred and sixty acres of fine, rich land, well improved and in a high state of cultivation. Mr. Smith was one of the most enterprising and successful farmers of his community until, in 1893, he removed to Rockford, where, the next year, he built a very cozy little home in which he and his wife expect to pass the remainder of their lives. As a citizen he ranks among the leaders of his neighborhood. For two years he served as postmaster at Mount Hope, under appointment by President Harrison. Ir religious matters, also, Mr. Smith is quite active, having been an elder in the Presbyterian church ever since coming to this state. Fra- ternally, he affiliates with the G. A. R. He was married in Moultrie county, Illinois, May 10, 1860, to Rachel A. Howell, a native of that county, and are the parents of four children, namely : James W. and Emma Mul- holland, living, and Jane and William, de- ceased.
ROBERT T. WALLS, a pioneer of 1888, was born in New Brunswick, May 24. 1863. He was reared and educated in his native province, but, when twenty-one years old. re- moved to New Hampshire, where he was en- gaged in the lumber business for about three years. He then went to Minnesota and farmed with his uncle for a year. but after- ward came to Rockford, Washington, and fol- lowed the grocery business there about two years. He subsequently moved to Wallace. Idaho, and resided in that town two years,
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HISTORY OF SPOKANE COUNTY.
then came to Spokane and engaged in the . grocery business with Mr. T. L. Mooers. A little later he moved to Rockford and pur- chased from Mr. Bugbee an interest in his meat market. On March 4. 1898, he bought Mr. Bugbee out, so that he is now in the busi- ness alone. He has the only meat market in the town. Mr. Walls is also proprietor of the Rockford opera house and confectionery, which, under his efficient management. has proved a very sucessful enterprise. He is an energetic, enterprising citizen, commanding the respect of all who know him. He has been marshal of Rockford, and is now one of the board of directors, also a member of the town council. He is an enthusiastic fraternal man, being an active member of Fairview Lodge. No. 40, also Pansy Rebecca Lodge, No. 95. I. O. O. F .. and having twice been chosen representative to the Grand Lodge of Wash- ington. He is, moreover, a past counsel in Camp No. 422, W. of W.
Mr. Watts was married March 8, 1900. to Miss Estella Archer, a native of Rockford.
ABRAM WALTMAN, deceased, a pio- neer of 1882, was born in Huntington township. Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, in 1827. When twenty-two years old he opened a general merchandise store in the newly set- tled township of Auburn, Susquehanna county. Pennsylvania. After a few years he became very prosperous in the mercantile business and quite prominent in the municipal government, serving as justice of the peace for several years and holding other offices of a local character. About the year 1862 he branched out quite ex- tensively in the lumber business, operating several large mills very successfully for a
number of years. He, however, confided too implicitly in the partners associated with him and through their mismanagement the busi- ness was reduced to such a tottering condition that it was unable to stand the stress of the financial panic of 1872 and 1873. Mr. Walt- man managed, however, to save enough out of the wreck of his fortunes so that he could re- tire from business. He came west and settled on a farm in Kansas, but, after three years of quiet life, his ambitious and ardent spirit be- gan to long for the war again. Accordingly. in 1882, he came to the Pacific coast. with a view to re-engaging in active business, and. after looking over California and Washing- ton Territory for six months, decided to lo- cate in the territory. He at length settled in Rockford, this county, and associated himself. with his two sons, Oscar and Wilbur W., under the firm name of Waltman Brothers & Com- pany. engaged in the lumbering and flouring mill business. They purchased a half-section of the original townsite of Rockford. together with an established saw and planing mill and a flouring mill. Having refitted and increased the capacity of these mills, they started them running day and night. With this expendi- ture of money and activity they revived the town and tributary country, creating quite a boom. Mr. Waltman, with true business sa- gacity, encouraged the growth of Rockford in every way in his power, donating lots and lum- ber to parties locating. and offering every in- ducement whereby new enterprises might be secured. Through his efforts, also. the O. R. & N. R. R. was built to the town and later to Spokane. All this time Mr. Waltman was active in politics, though he could not be per- suaded to accept any office other than munici- pal. He was, however, Rockford's first mayor. He also took a leading part in promoting the
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interests of the Democratic party, and was es- pecially zealous in that campaign in which the Northern Pacific Railroad land forfeiture pro- posal was the issue. To him belonged the honor of nominating the Hon. Charles S. Voorhees for the office of delegate to congress, and to his able efforts much credit is due for the fact that the Democrats were victorious in that election. About 1890 Mr. Waltman withdrew from active business, and gave his attention exclusively to looking after his farm and townsite interests. In 1894 he was un- fortunately stricken with paralysis and soon afterwards passed away, leaving a wife. Han- nah W .. and four sons, O. L .. W. W .. E. A. and V. E., all of whom are still living.
OLIVER E. DAY. M. D., physician and surgeon, son of Dexter B. and Hannah Day. was born in New York state October 26. 1830. He received his preliminary education in New York and his medical education in Kansas. also graduated from the Botanical School of Williamsport, Pennsylvania. In the fall of 1862 he entered the Federal army. being mustered in at Mound City, Linn county, Kansas. He was one of the famous 100 A men who served under General Lane. and participated in the battle at Dry Wood and many minor engagements. He was honorably discharged in 1863. after a military career highly commendable in every respect. Dr. Day practiced his profession for three years in Kansas City. in partnership with Dr. C. Newman. Dr. Day attending to the country practice. which extended a distance of over sixty miles. They built up a large and profit- able business. Dr. Day is now located at Blackrock, Idaho, where he has an extensive
and very desirable patronage. The Doctor has devoted the assiduous efforts of many years to the study and practice of his profession. with the natural result that he has a knowledge and experience in the healing art such as few men possess. He was married in Wisconsin. Sep- tember 10. 1851. to Miss Elmira Comstock. and they have had seven children, namely : Alice J .. Alisse R., Alta D .. Joseph T. and Ann E., living; also Dexter B. and John F .. de- ceased.
ALBERT H. BUGBEE. merchant, son of William M. and Rosanna Bugbee. was born in Maine April 15. 1860. He was raised and educated in Maine, but at the age of twenty- one years went to Wisconsin and from that state to Minnesota, where for three years he was engaged in the lumber business. He then went to North Dakota and followed farming for about five years. afterwards coming west. He spent two years in Oregon and California. and two in Idaho, where he was in the lumber- ing and sawmilling business. He next moved to Spokane county, Washington. located in Rockford and opened a meat market. On March 4. 1898. however. he engaged in the grocery, dry goods and gents' furnishing goods business, and he now has a large trade. With a stock on hand of about five thousand dollars, he does an annual business of from eighteen to twenty thousand dollars. MIr. Bugbee is one of the most enterprising and successful business men of the county. pos- sessing in a high degree the foresight and soundness of judgment necessary to success in commercial pursuits. Though very de- voted to his business, he nevertheless finds time to contribute his share towards the gen- eral well-being. and to take an active part in
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HISTORY OF SPOKANE COUNTY.
the municipal government. He has served for several terms as a member of the city council. and still belongs to that body. In fraternal circles, also, he is very prominent, being a past master in the Masonic order and a past grand in the I. O. O. F. He is treasurer of both Rockford Lodge, No. 45. A. F. & A. M .. and of Fairview Lodge, No. 40, I. O. O. F. His father died in Maine about six years ago, and his mother when he was eleven years old.
ROBERT WILLIAMS, farmer, a pioneer of 1888, was born in Clarion, Pennsylvania. August 17, 1840. He was reared and edu- cated in his native state and in May, 1861, became a member of the Eleventh Pennsyl- vania Reserves. He was mustered in at Pitts- burg to General Mead's brigade of McCall's division, and participated in many of the most prominent battles of the Civil war. He and Governor Scofield, of Wisconsin, belonged to the same company and were constant com- panions throughout the entire four years of civil strife. His war record is in every re- spect commendable and is one of which he and his family have just cause to be proud. After being mustered out he returned home and en- gaged in business. In 1881, however, he re- moved to Wisconsin, where he followed farm- ing until coming to Spokane county in 1888. Upon arriving here he located in Rockford. where he was engaged in saw milling for a period of two years, then purchased a ranch and began farming. He is now serving under a contract executed July 1, 1898, by which he became obligated to carry the United States mail for four years between Mount Hope and Belle Grove. Idaho, via Rockford. Mr. Williams is one of the solid and substan-
tial citizens of his community, highly esteemed and respected by his neighbors. He has never been particularly ambitious for leadership among his fellowmen or for political prefer- ment. but he has held several local offices. both here and in Wisconsin. He was married in Pennsylvania May 29, 1871. to Annie E. Simpson, a native of that state, and to their union have been born two children, namely : Charles A. and Edward B.
Mrs. Williams is a first cousin of General U. S. Grant. her father being a brother of the general's mother.
C. Y. GRAHAM, farmer and stock raiser, a pioneer of ISSI. was born in Missouri, May 30, 1843. He was reared and educated there and joined the Federal army from that state, being mustered in at Springfield, Missouri, as a member of Company E. Sixth Missouri Cav- alry. in 1862. He served until July 28, 1865. participating in the battles of Vicksburg, Pea Ridge, Prairie Grove. Pleasant Hill and many others. also in numerous important and ex- citing skirmishes. His military experience ex- tends over the three years of severest fighting. and his record is untarnished by a single act of dishonor or cowardice. At the time of his mustering out he held the rank of sergeant. He returned to Missouri at the close of the war and resumed his former occupation, con-
tinuing in agricultural pursuits there until ISSI, when he crossed the plains to Cheney. Washington. He leased a ranch there and remained on it until 1884. then removed to the vicinity of Rockford, where he purchased and afterwards homesteaded a claim, five and a half miles northeast of the town, near the Idaho line. He immediately started to im-
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prove his home and now has about eighty acres in an excellent state of cultivation. While Mr. Graham takes a lively and intelligent in- terest in everything which tends to promote the general well-being of the community, he is especially zealous in the cause of education. It was mainly through his instrumentality that school district No. 69 was formed, and he has acted as school director a number of times since. He was married in Webster county, Missouri, December 28, 1865, to Harriet Mul- lenix, a native of that state, and they are parents of five children, Sadie E., Serepta, John C., Cora and Ruth.
WALTER A. STARK, farmer and school teacher, was born in Ionia county, Michigan, January 7, 1871. His father was a native of Canada, but had been brought to Michigan when six months old, and his mother was born there, so that both his parents were reared in that state. His father followed farming and school teaching there, serving as principal of the Saranac school for two years. In 1892 the entire family came to Spokane county, pur- chased a half-section of land about three miles southeast of Rockford and turned their at- tention to farming. They have hitherto been engaged in wheat raising mainly, but contem- plate going into the stock business also in the near future. Mr. Walter Stark has served as principal of the Waverly school for two years. is now serving his second term as principal of the Rockford school and has been retained for the third year. He has a very enviable reputation as an educator, taking rank among the ablest and most successful teachers of the county. Mr. Stark's father and brother are very much interested in mining, being owners
of a splendid claim in Montana. Mr. Stark was married at Rockford, Washington, Janu- ary 25, 1894. to Miss Emma J. Brockman, daughter of Henry H. and Caroline R. Brock- man. They have had one child. Roy H., who only lived to be three months old. Mrs. Stark is also a school teacher of ability, and is now engaged as her husband's assistant in the Rockford school.
Mr. Stark has recently become a member of Fairview Lodge. No. 40, I. O. O. F.
GEORGE W. FARNSWORTH. a pioneer of 1877, son of Winfield Scott and Ruth Farns- worth, was born in Kansas, June 11. 1872. When quite young he came with his parents to Spokane county, and he received his edu- cation here. He began the study of engin- eering when sixteen years old, continuing at it assiduously until he gained great proficiency. He worked in the Valley Roller Flour Mills of Rockford for about two years, and has also served as engineer in several sawmills. He is greatly interested in mining, being owner of large shares in four different properties in this state. In 1888 the family and he engaged in the restaurant business in Spokane and shortly afterwards branched out into the general mer- chandise business. The following spring they removed to Wardner, Idaho, where they op- crated a bakery and general merchandise es- tablishment for two years. They then sold out and came to Rockford, whence a little later they moved to California. After a residence of two years there, they returned to Spokane county, where they have ever since lived. Mr. Farnsworth has devoted considerable time to working in the Rossland mines, also helped' put in two compressor plants in Greenwood
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British Columbia. His father, a millwright, emigrated to Butte county, California, in 1874, and built there the Springer and the Old Dump Mills. He came to Washington in 1877, lo- cated in Palouse City and erected a saw and planing mill there, which he operated for about a year. He then sold out, came to Rockford and put in the first planing, grist and saw mill ever erected in that town. He was one of the oldest, most influential and most highly re- spected citizens of Spokane county, and when he died, April 3, 1879, his loss was mourned by hosts of friends. He was married March 6, 1866, to Ruth Ravenscroft, a native of Illi- nois, who still survives. They were parents of three children, George W. and. Sadie W .. living, and Elmer W., deceased.
WILLIAM T. BACON, farmer, a pioneer of 1879, was born in Catfield, England, Jan- uary 4, 1856. At the age of twelve he came to America with his mother. to join his father, who had previously located in Ontario county, New York. He received his education in that state, residing there until nineteen years old, then embarked aboard the steamship Tus- carora, which was engaged in making a sur- vey between America and Australia. He also spent three years aboard a merchantman, ply- ing in the waters of both the Pacific and At- lantic ocean. Subsequently he returned home on a visit and later came to Washington, lo- cating at Walla Walla in 1877. He engaged in farming for about two years, but in the spring of 1879 removed to Spokane county, where he has made his home most of the time since. In 1888 he started to learn the black- smith's trade, and, being a good natural me- chanic, soon became very proficient. He fol- 23
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