An illustrated history of Spokane county, state of Washington, Part 54

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

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lowed that handicraft four years, then spent two years in the shingle business in Idaho, but at length returned to this county, locating in the vicinity of Rockford, where he is now en- gaged in farming. In 1899 he purchased a blacksmith shop and again went to work at the forge. He is one of the substantial and honored citizens of his community, esteemed by his neighbors generally. He is especially interested in the cause of education, and has; served for two terms as school director in district No. 12. Mr. Bacon is a very active. man in fraternal circles, being affiliated with Rockford Lodge, No. 45, A. F. & A. M., with Fairview Lodge, No. 40. I. O. O. F., and with the Order of the Eastern Star, of which he is first patron. He was married in Walla Walla on January 26, 1889. to Melinda E. Moore, who was born near Sheridan, Iowa, May 3. 1856. They have four children, Robert F., Del F., Ila Virg., and Eno Quinton.

ABRAHAM L. JOHNSON. blacksmith, a pioneer of 1882, is a native of Hart. Michi- gan, born September 22, 1862. When he was: nine years old his parents removed to Kansas,. where his father remained three years, subse- quently returning to Michigan. After a resi- dence of four years there he went to Arkansas, thence to southern Kansas, where for the en- suing five years he was engaged in farming. From that state he came to Thurston county, Washington, whence, a year later. he removed to Spokane county. He was engaged in farm- ing near Rockford continuously until his death, which occurred October 17, 1894. Abraham L. commenced to learn the trade of a black- smith at the age of sixteen, and soon became very proficient. When twenty-two he opened

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HISTORY OF SPOKANE COUNTY.

a shop of his own at Rockford, where he has been in business continuously since, with the exception of three years spent at his trade at Vancouver, Washington. Being very expert in his business he naturally receives a large patronage from both the town and the country around about. Mr. Johnson was married in Idaho, in December, 1886, to Miss Sarah E. Graham, a native of Missouri, and they have two children, Eva E. and Alice M. His mother ·died in Rockford. Mr. Johnson is a descendant of the old English family by that name. His :grandfather, Abraham Johnson, was born in Yorkshire, England, December 27, 1787, came 'to America in 1825, and died in 1875. He re- tained unusual good health and vigor up to the time of his demise, walking three miles every day for exercise. He was married in England in 1808 to Miss Anna Lloyd, who was also born in 1787, and they had nine children, all of whom, except one, survived their father.

NATHANIEL J. MAYER, merchant, a pioneer of 1883, was born in Carroll county, Illinois, January 20, 1855. He went to Ne- braska in 1877, following the mercantile busi- ness until 1879, when he returned to Illinois. In the spring of 1880 he went back to Ne- braska and again engaged in the mercantile business, remaining in it until March, 1881. He then returned to Illinois, where he resided till fall. He next moved to Kearney, Ne- braska, following his former business there until the fall of 1883, when he came to Spo- kane county and located fourteen miles north of this city. For the ensuing twelve years he was engaged in farming, then was appointed superintendent of the county poor farm, with which he was connected for two years. Upon

retiring from that position he again engaged in the mercantile business, purchasing an in- terest in Mr. E. W. Whitney's grocery and dry goods concern in Spangle. The firm is now known as E. W. Whitney & Company. They do an immense amount of business, draw- ing custom from all the surrounding country. They carry a full line of dry goods, groceries. and gents' furnishings, their stock being valued at about four thousand dollars and their annual business ranging from eighteen thousand dol- lars to twenty thousand dollars. Mr. Mayer is an enterprising, energetic business man, possesing shrewdness and foresight and an in- timate knowledge of his business. He takes an active interest in the local welfare and is ever ready to contribute his share towards every undertaking for the public good. He is a prominent fraternal man, being a member of both the 1. O. O. F. and the W. of W. On March 20, 1881, he was married to Ruth B. Robbins, of Nebraska, daughter of Judge A. C. Robbins, and they have two daughters, Ina Mae and Edith Lynn.

SAMUEL A. LOY, farmer and stock raiser, a pioneer of 1882, is a native of Penn- sylvania, born November 14, 1835. When ten years of age he removed with his parents to Illinois and lived with them in that state for the ensuing three years, then accompanied them to Indiana, where they farmed for another period of three years. They next followed farming in Minnesota for five years, removing thence to Kansas, where the father died at the age of eighty-seven. In 1882 Samuel .A. came to Washington, locating in Spokane county between Spangle and Fairfiekl. Har- ing purchased a tract of land he engaged in

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HISTORY OF SPOKANE COUNTY.

farming and stock raising, and he now has four hundred and eighty acres of fine land situated seven miles southeast of Spangle, well cultivated and improved with good build- ings and an elegant residence. In 1852 Mr. Loy made a trip to California, going by ocean, and he remained there for three years engaged in mining and farming. During that time he had numerous exciting skirmishes with the Indians, and many thrilling adventures. While in Kansas he held the rank of orderly sergeant in Company B, Kansas Militia, being elected to that rank by a unanimous vote of the com- pany. Mr. Loy is a good, substantial citizen, highly esteemed and respected wherever he has lived and had he cared to give attention to politics, would have been very successful in securing political preferment. He has, how- ever, invariably declined to accept any office, though frequently solicited to do so. He was married May 3, 1858, to Mary A. McCarty, daughter of Seth L. and Rebecca McCarty, and they are parents of three children, Charlie A., Melissa J. and Lillie E.

ANDREW JACKSON, son of Henry P. and Elizabeth Jackson, was born in Marion county, Oregon, May 7, 1860. He was reared and educated in that state, remaining with his father on the farm until eighteen years old, when he went to Klickitat county, Washington, and engaged in saw-milling. He resided there two years, then went to The Dalles to work for the O. R. & N. Company, by which he was em- ployed until the completion of the road to Walla Walla. In the spring of 1881 he entered, the employ of the Northern Pacific Railroad Com- pany, working for them continuously for seven years, at first on construction and afterward in

their track department. He next spent two years in Spokane, engaged in business pursuits, and in the fall of 1890 moved to Medical Lake, where he was also in business until 1898. Since that year he has been in a business of his own in Cheney. He was married in Cheney May 6, 1890, to Theresa Brown, a native of Mon- tana, born in October, 1873, and they are par- ents of five children : Elsie, Louie, Henry P., Murl and Andrew. Mr. Jackson is a member of Spokane Lodge, No. 228, B. P. O. E., and charter member of Rathbone Lodge, No. 47, K. of P., of Cheney.

JOHN D. ROBBINS, farmer, a pioneer of 1878, was born in Massachusetts, Septem- ber 6, 1813. He was raised and educated there and kept a livery stable until forty-two years old, then went to Minnesota and engaged in farming. After ten years he moved to Mis- souri, where the ensuing three years of his life were spent. He next returned to Minnesota, remaining till 1878, when he came to Wash- ington. He went first to the Sound country, but shortly afterwards came to Spokane county and took a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres at Deep Creek Falls. He resided on this two years, then sold out and went to Cheney, where he was one of the very earliest settlers, there being only three of four build- ings in town at that time, and his wife being the fourth lady. He now has a fine fruit farm on the edge of the town. He was married, first, in Boston, Massachusetts, in December, 1839, but two years later his wife died. In . 1843 he married Jane Bodwell, who was born in 1815, and they have three children living, Charles B., Lucy A., now Mrs. Switzer, of .Cheney, and Sarah V., now wife of W. Shan-

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no11. Mr. Robbins has always been an active and influential man, holding many important offices. He was a constable in Massachusetts, deputy sheriff and justice of the peace in Min- nesota, and road supervisor of Cheney in its early days. He also had charge of the con- struction of all the streets leading into Cheney. Since residing in this county he has been fre- quently solicited to accept office, but has in- variably declined. Though in his eighty- seventh year, Mr. Robbins is still hale and hearty, and a fine specimen of vigorous and well-preserved old age. Mrs. Robbins died at her home in Cheney November 19, 1894, and was buried in Spokane. She had been educated at Woburn Academy and in early life was a successful teacher. She was a promi- nent temperance woman and a stanch aboli- tionist. After coming to Cheney she contin- ued active in temperance and religious work, identifying herself with the Congregational church, the W. C. T. U. and the Band of Hope. Her memory will long be cherished by those who admire sincerity, benevolence, devo- tion to duty and a brave pioneer spirit.

WILLIAM J. MCKINNEY, fruit grower, a pioneer of 1882, was born in east Tennessee on April 6, 1845. The first thirty-one years of his life were spent in that state, he receiving only such education as the public schools af- forded. On April 6, 1876, however, he set out for Washington Territory, traveling overland. Upon arriving here he secured a tract of land and commenced farming and stock raising, continuing in that business until 1882, when he sold out. He then came to Spokane county and located a homestead about three miles southeast of Tyler, upon which he has ever

since resided. He is now engaged in farming and fruit growing, but is giving special atten- tion to the latter industry. He participated in many of the Indian wars of early days. In 1880 Mr. Mckinney was united in marriage with Miss Delia Blake, a native of Yam Hill county, Oregon, and they now have a family of three children, Lee, William and Ada.

JAMES BUTLER, a pioneer of the coast of 1847, was born in Kentucky September II, 1813. When he was five years old his father moved to Missouri and engaged in farming, and James was reared and educated in that state, remaining with his parents until 1847, when he went to Polk county, Oregon. He farmed there for four years, then removed to Lane county, where the ensuing eleven years of his life were passed, but, subsequently return- ing to Polk county, he resided there for ten years more. During all this time he was en- gaged in farming and stock raising, giving spe- cial attention to the rearing of fine draft horses. In 1876 he moved to Whitman county, Wash- ington, purchased a farm and resumed his for- mer occupations. The next year the Indians broke in upon him and stole fourteen head of horses from him. Despite all dangers, how- ever, he remained on his farm continuously un- til 1894, when he retired from active life and went to live with his daughter at Cheney. He was, unfortunately, stricken with blindness about five years ago, and has been in total dark- ness ever since, but otherwise his naturally hale and vigorous constitution seems to defy the ravages of time. Being a very old pioneer, Mr. Butler has seen much service in the wars against the Indians, participating in the conflicts of 1848 and in the numerous troubles with them

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during the early history of this section of the state of Washington. He was married, first, in Missouri, April 18, 1837, to Nancy S. Rob- inson, who died six years later, leaving two children, one of whom is still living, now Mrs. Melissa Richardson, of Cheney. On October 4. 1854, he was united in marriage to Isabelle L. Douglas, who passed away October 3, 1883, leaving four children, two of whom, George W. and John D., are still living.

RICHARD MILLMAN, farmer and stock- man, a pioneer of 1876, was born in Tavistock, Devonshire, England, December 8, 1856. He was reared and educated there, but in 1871 ac- companied Mr. Withycombe and sons to Amer- ica. These gentlemen at once engaged in the stock business in Oregon, taking Mr. Millman into their employ. He afterwards worked six years for Mrs. Lodd Reede as a horse train- er, but finally came to Washington, locating in the vicinity of Cheney. In 1881 he home- steaded a quarter-section of land sixteen miles south of Cheney, and commenced farming and stock raising. He is one of the most success- ful men in that industry in this section of the state, being the owner of some of the finest and most valuable animals in Washington. He makes a specialty of breeding and raising draught horses, giving the preference to the Clydesdale, but he is also greatly interested in short horn cattle and in fine trotting stock. He also gives some attention to mining. Shortly after his arrival in Washington, Mr. Millman was called upon to help repulse the Indians, and he had many exciting encounters with them, being present in the county during all the troubles. He also took part in the building of the fort about two miles west of

Cheney. Fraternally, he is affiliated with the Woodmen of the World. When he was about fourteen years old his father started for Amer- ica. intending to make a home here for his fam- ily, but the vessel on which he sailed was lost at sea, and all on board perished.

JAMES W. WATT, harness and saddle- maker, also a farmer, was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, May 31, 1843. In 1849 his family moved to California, where his mother died the following year, and in 1851 the father moved to Oregon and took up a section of land two and a half miles east of Lafayette. Yam Hill county. He immediately engaged in farming and stock raising on an extensive scale, continuing in that business until May II. 1859, when he died. Mr. Watt came to Wash- ington the next year and turned his attention to mining, traveling about the state for a short time on mining expeditions. Subsequently, however, he went into the packing business and was thus employed until 1871, when he returned to Oregon. He was in the harness business in that state for several years, but in 1883 came to Spokane county. Since his ar- rival here he has been devoting his attention to farming principally. He is one of the re- spected and esteemed citizens of this county, always active in promoting the general welfare and intelligently interested in political matters, local and general. He has held many minor offices in this county and elsewhere, discharg- ing the duties of each with honor to himself and in a manner satisfactory to his constituency. Like most old settlers, he has seen a great deal of Indian warfare and has taken an active part in all the troubles with the red men. Mr. Watt was married in Oregon in 1881 to Miss Lillie

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E. Philips, a native of Salem, Oregon, and to their union have been born two children, Ar- thur A. and Floyd W.

WILLIAM J. BENNETT, a pioneer of 1880, was born in Adams county, Illinois, Oc- tober 31, 1844. He resided there, acquiring his education in the public schools, until eight- een years of age, then enlisted in the Federal army and served three months. A year later he again enlisted, identifying himself with Company B, Fiftieth Illinois Infantry, which formed a part of General Sherman's army at Chattanooga. Mr. Bennett took part in the Atlanta campaign and in the famous march to the sea, participating in many noted engage- ments, among which were Altoona Pass, Sa- vannah and Bentonville. He served as orderly on the General's headquarter staff. After the war he took part in the grand review at Wash- ington, then was mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky. His military duties being fully per- formed, he returned to Illinois, remaining there until the spring of 1870, when he went to Texas on a business trip. He then resided in Kansas for four years, after which he came west to Denver, Colorado, but six months later he returned to Illinois and devoted himself to agricultural pursuits there for four years more. His next move was to Oregon, where he farmed two years, then to Tyler, Washing- ton. He now owns a fine farm of four hun- dred acres in that vicinity. Mr. Bennett is one of the most thrifty and enterprising farmers in Spokane county, being thoroughly progres- sive and up-to-date in all his methods. He is also an esteemed citizen of his community, active in politics and in promoting the best in- terests of the neighborhood. He was a dele-

gate to the first Republican convention ever held i1: Spokane county. He was married in Par- sons, Kansas, April 18, 1873, to Mary E. Mil- ler, a native of Illinois. They have a family of five children. namely: Nellie G., Homer H., Astoria A., Fred C. and Estella M.

HARRY H. BURBANK, a pioneer of the coast of 1847, was born in Ohio August 3, 1828. When seven years old he removed with his parents to Kane county, Illinois, where they lived until 1847. engaged in farming. They then moved to Oregon, following the same oc- cupation there until their death. The mother passed away in 1852 and the father two years later. In 1870 Mr. Burbank came to Washing- ton, locating in North Yakima, where for the ensuing ten years he was engaged in the stock business, raising both cattle and horses. He next moved to Whitman county, but after a residence of about six years there went to Col- ville, remaining in that town for a period of about five years. Subsequently he spent three years in British Columbia, afterward coming to Spokane City, where he has resided ever since. Mr. Burbank was, in his younger days, a very active, enterprising man, and one who had the energy and determination to carry to a success- ful issue everything he undertook, if that was not rendered impossible by circumstances which could not be foreseen. He was a very success- ful farmer and stock raiser, occupying for many years a leading place among those engaged in that business. Residing in Oregon and in this state since 1847. he had, as might be expected, many thrilling adventures with hostile Indians, participating in the wars with the Rogue river Indians in Oregon and also in the conflicts with the Nez Perces at Walla Walla. He was

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married in Polk county, Oregon, in January, 1854, to Minerva Haight, and to their union have been born ten children, namely : Walter, George, Charles D., Jennie, Elmer, Ida L., Minnie I. and Gracie, living, and Nancy and Thomas M., deceased.

WV. E. SEEHORN, transfer man, a pioneer of 1880, is a native of Illinois, born in Adams county, near Quincy, August 19, 1860. He was brought up on a farm and became ac- customed to hard work. In 1880 the family came to Spokane, where he was employed for several years in the Northern Pacific Hotel. In 1887 he engaged in the transfer business and has been quite successful in increasing his work and trade. He now employs six men and teams and does a prosperous business. He also owns a farm of one hundred and twelve acres at Plaza, which he operates successfully. He is a member in good standing of the Masonic. Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias fra- ternities. He was married in Spangle, Spo- kane county, August 10, 1887, to Nora, daugh- ter of C. T. and Annie Cowan, born in Daven- port, Iowa, May 1, 1866. They have two sons : Frank, born October 9, 1889, and Claude, May 31, 1892.

HENRY N. JONES, farmer and stock raiser at Pine City, Whitman county, son of Jacob and Catherine Jones, is a native of Boone county, Indiana, born December 27, 1835. When sixteen years old he located in Douglas county, Oregon, where he was en- gaged in farming until 1862. In that year he removed to Union county and engaged in min- ing for the ensuing five years. He then re-

turned to Douglas county, Oregon, remaining there until 1872, when he came to Washington. He took a homestead about twenty miles south of Cheney in that part of Stevens which is em- braced in the present Whitman county, and has ever since given his attention to farming and stock raising. He is also greatly interested in fruit culture. Mr. Jones is one of the lead- ing and representative citizens of his commu- nity, but is not at all ambitious for political pre- ferment. He has been three times elected justice of the peace of his precinct. and once was chosen for county commissioner, but has persistently refused to accept any office. He did, however, serve one term as justice and for a while as deputy sheriff while in Union county, Oregon.

JOHN H. BETZ, a prominent farmer re- siding north of Cheney, is a son of Jacob and Margaret Betz, born in Germany in October, 1832. In 1857 he emigrated to America, re- sided six months in New Orleans and a short time in St. Louis, when he located in Cass. county, Illinois, where he lived over twenty years. In 1861 he enlisted in Company A, Fourteenth Volunteer Infantry. under Col- onel Plummer. After three months' service he was discharged and returned to his home in Beardstown, Illinois. Being a loyal citizen and anxious to serve his country he imme- diately re-enlisted in Company K. Thirty-third Illinois Veteran Volunteer Infantry. For efficient service he was promoted to the rank of sergeant. He took part in thirteen heavy engagements beside numerous skirmishes, among others being McNullion Hill, Cham- pion Hill or Baker's creek, Black river and siege of Vicksburg. Mr. Betz had charge of the left wing of his company as skirmisher

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during the entire campaign. He took twelve prisoners at Champion Hill. He was mustered out at Greenville, Mississippi, in the fall of 1865. In October, 1881, he came to Cheney and now-has a farm of six hundred and forty acres. He is a member of General Wright Post, G. A. R., at Cheney, and the family be- longs to the German Methodist church. He was married in Beardstown, Cass county, Illi- nois, January 18, 1866, to Sibbali Huchen. They have seven children: George, William, Albert, Edward, Christian, Anna and Mary.

HARL J. COOK was born in Salem, Iowa, July II, 1857. At the age of nineteen years he began teaching school and with his earnings secured a higher education. In 1876 he went to Des Moines, where he was employed on the Daily Capital newspaper and afterward on the Leader and State Register. He went to Da- kota in 1882 and engaged on a newspaper there until the spring of 1885, when he came to Washington and established a connection with the Murray Record. The same year he served with the Spokane Chronicle as a reporter and was soon made manager. In company with H. T. Cowley and E. A. Rout he organized the Chronicle Publishing Company, but in 1887 sold out his interest and engaged in the real estate business and brokerage. The firm is now composed of himself and Charles W. Clarke, occupying rooms 3 and 4, Van Valkenberg block, where they do an excellent real estate. and insurance business. Mr. Cook is also em- ployed by the Holland Bank to look after rentals, real estate, mortgages and other in- vestments. The firm is among the notable pub- lic-spirited companies of Spokane, having as- sisted materially in building up the city. Mr.

Cook served as county assessor in 1895-6, run- ning over a thousand votes ahead of his ticket, and being one out of the four Republicans elected to county offices. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and a prominent man of the city.

HON. JAMES N. GLOVER, member of the city council from the second ward, was born in Lincoln county, Missouri, March 15, 1837. When he was twelve the family crossed the plains and located in Marion county, Oregon, where he learned the carpenter's trade. He later engaged in gold mining, fruit packing and shipping, and with a company operated a steam ferry on the Willamette river. May II, 1873. he came to Spokane and bought a half interest in a squatter's right, upon which he assisted in erecting a saw mill. This was the first circular saw in eastern Washington and was in opera- tion November 1. 1873. In 1878 he sold out the lumber business and engaged in handling real estate. In 1882 he, with others, organized the First National Bank, being the first in east- ern Washington. He served as director and vice-president in this bank and was president when it failed during the panic. July 26. 1893. He was also a stockholder and director in the Spokane Savings Bank. He was elected a member of the city council in 1897 and re- elected in 1899. and served as mayor of the city two terms, when the electric light works and street car lines were established. He is at pres- ent a director in the Spokane. Washington, Water Power Company. Mr. Glover has been a very successful business man, interested in many of the public enterprises of the city. and assisting in erecting some of the best buildings. among others the First National Bank. He has erected and owned the finest residences in

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An illustrated history of Spokane county, state of Washington, Part 54

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