An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 103

Author: Hines, Harvey K., 1828-1902
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 1056

USA > Washington > An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens > Part 103

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J OHIN RUTTER BLYTHI, who owns and occupies a fine ranch near Bothell, Wash- ington, is a native of Neweastle, England, born March 31, 1840, his parents being Joseph and Mary (Carr) Blyth.

In his youth the subject of our sketch learned the trade of ship carpentry, at which he worked a few years in England. In 1862, bidding fare- well to his native land and directing his eonrse toward America, in due time he landed at Vic- toria, British Columbia. He came to Washing- ton in the spring of 1864, and for six months worked for the the Port Madison Mill Company. After that he went back to British Columbia, where he remained fifteen months. Returning to Port Madison at the end of that time, lie again entered the employ of the same company, and continued with them two years. Pleased

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with the Sound country and its surroundings, he decided to locate here permanently, and ac- cordingly, on July 4, 1872, bought a ranch of 160 acres near Bothell. About five aeres of land were cleared at the time he purchased it. He now has nearly the entire tract cleared and under cultivation. Ilis present residence, which he erected in the summer of 1888, is one of the finest houses on Squak slongh.

Mr. Blyth was married March 11, 1885, to Christiana Berg, a native of Sweden.

A W. STEWART, a horticulturist of Pierce county, Washington, is a native of Bond county, Illinois, born December 10, 1828. Ilis parents were William M. and Anna (Langlilin) Stewart. William M. Stewart was a mechanic of considerable ability, and worked at his trade, in connection with farming, in the various localities in which he resided. He moved to Putnam county, Illinois, when his son, A. W. Stewart, was a child. In 1839 he moved to Jolison county, lowa, and located twenty-five miles west of Iowa City. There he lived for ten years, running a carpenter shop and a wagon-making establishment. In this shop A. W. worked as an apprentice until 1849. That year they moved to Linn county, Iowa, where for two years they carried on farming. About that time A. W., hearing rumors of the fortunes to be made in the far West, deter- mined to come and see the country for him- self; so, with a few other ambitious friends, April 15, 1851, he started across the plains, driving an ox team. They crossed the Mis- souri river, and, in his own words, " It seemed as if we had left civilization, for we saw not a soul, with the exception of a train of wagons now and then, until we reached Portland, Ore- gon, October 15, 1851."

Mr. Stewart remained in Portland about one year, working in a sash and door factory for $3 per day and board. From there he went to Olympia, Washington, and took a donation claim of 160 acres on Chambers' prairie, twelve miles from Olympia, where he lived for five years, except during the Indian war of 1856-'57, when he found it necessary to avail himself of the protection afforded by one of the forts. At the expiration of the time noted he moved to Olympia and started a wagon-making and

general repair shop, which he conducted about years and sold in February, 1864. After dis- posing of his shop he came to Pierce county and located five miles from where Tacoma has since been built. While here he was employed as carpenter in the Indian reservation for three and a half years. Then for four years he lived in old Tacoma, this being before any railroad line had reached the town. Finally Mr. Stew- art decided to settle down to farming, so lie went to Whatcom county, near where Blaine City now stands, and pre-empted 160 acres of land, upon which he lived for ten years, raising stock and general farm products. Becoming dissatis- fied, he rented the farm and came to Pierce county. Here he bought 240 acres of land in the bush and swamp four miles north of Sun- ner, there being no roads and not even a trail to his land. The transformation that has since taken place here has been marvelons. Hle now has twenty-five acres in small fruits and garden. Ile finds a ready market for his products and is doing a very successful business.

Mr. Stewart was married September 22, 1853, to Jerusha White, who was born in Sullivan county, Indiana, November 12, 1835, dangliter of Joseph A. and Elizabeth (McKee) White. They have nine children: Joseph A., George L., Charles A .; Robert A. and Mary Ellen are at home, and the others are married. Margaret D. lives in Seattle; James E. is a resident of Ana- cortes, Washington; Annie E. lives near Blaine, Washington, and William W. lives in Olympia, Washington.

J OIIN D. ATKINSON, member of the Seattle bar, was born at Connellsville, Pennsylvania, in July, 1861. His parents, George and Sarah (Detwiler) Atkinson, were natives of the same town, their ancestry being among the settlers of the colony, abont 1780, and there followed agricultural pursuits. John D. received his early education at the publie schools of his native city. At the age of fifteen years he began teaching in the city schools, thereby securing means to continue his educa- tion in the higher branches. Thus following a system of teaching and study he completed the junior year at the Indiana State University and graduated from Wanesburgh College in 1886, receiving the degree of A. B. He then gave

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instruction in the high school at Scottdale and also filled the office of Superintendent of the city schools.

In view of ultimately entering the legal pro- fession, Mr. Atkinson began the study of law at Uniontown, Pennsylvania, in 1885, complet- ing his studies at the Union Law School in Chicago, where he was examined by the Su- preme Court of the State and admitted to the bar. In January, 1889, he came to Seattle with a view of following his profession, but shortly after his arrival he was engaged as assistant principal of the high school, to fill a vacancy, and later accepted the position as principal of the South School, where he remained for three years, having in charge an average of eighteen teachers. At the elose of the school year, in June, 1892, Mr. Atkinson resigned his office and entered npon the practice of his profession in general law.

As evidence of his ability in the field of education, in March, 1891, he was appointed by the Governor as one of four who comprised the State Board of Education, by which body he was only elected Secretary. Mr. Atkinson has traded considerably in real estate about the Sound and is also one of a syndicate who own valuable mining interests in the Okanogan district, which are being developed and show rich deposits of free mining ores. The Alcazar, Northern Light and Sinnggler mines being among the most important developments.

R ICHARD SAMPSON .- Although not a pioneer of Washington, Richard Samp- son has a career that is worthy of men- tion in this work. Of him we make the following record:

Richard Sampson was born in London, Eng- land, December 3, 1829, a son of Thomas and Honor (Borden) Sampson, both born and reared in England. At the age of fifteen years, anx- ious to start life for himself, Richard ran away from home to join an English exploring party that was going to the West India islands in search of the Spanish treasure hidden there and also to prospect for gold. In the original com- pany were eighteen men, but later on this num- ber increased by twenty-two more. All the islands were in turn explored. no treasure was found, but they discovered gold in large quanti-

ties. While they were searching for gold all their boats were lost, their means of return to England thereby being ent off. Their only pos- sible hope of return was by means of a chance vessel. "Young Sampson re nained on the island nine years and four months: in the meantime all the company, with the exception of himself and two others had died. A supply vessel for the l'anama Railroad Company, passing by, rescued them in 1852, and took them to the Isthmus. There they secured work on the rail- road, but his companions soon died, and after their death Mr. Sampson embarked for San Francisco.

Upon his arrival in California he worked in Grass valley until 1860, when he came to Portland. He remained in Portland until 1865. That year he returned to England, via New York, and after traveling all over England and Europe came back to California. Soon after- ward he engaged in mining in Nevada, and finally, in 1891, he came to Washington. Hle bought a small farm near Midland, Pierce county, and is now engaged in raising fruit and garden produce.

Mrs. Eliza Sampson, the wife of our subject, was born in Lambeth, England, in 1830. Iler maiden name was Fuller. James Fuller, her father, was born near the month of the Thames river, in England, in 1798, and died in 1833. September 30, 1850, she was married in Lam- beth, to William Sales, and soon after their marriage they embarked for Esquimalt, British Columbia, arriving at their destination May 9, 1851. Subsequently they lived in Victoria. Mr. Sales was engaged oy the Hudson's Bay Company in London. In company with two others and an infant son three months old, she eamne from Vietoria to Steilacoom in arow-boat, arriving at daybreak, and went through the brush to the ouly house there, owned by Cap- tain Balch. From there, in 1856, with an in- fant girl, she went to the Nisqually sawmill and cooked for the workmen. Thence she moved to Thomas Dean's farm near Spanaway lake, and there spent the winter. In 1853 her husband took a claim on what is now the Puy- allup reservation, but in 1855 the Indian war foreed them to abandon the claim and go to the fort. After the war her husband kept a restaurant at Olympia for some time, but after- ward moved back to the reservation and was employed as a carpenter for two years. In 1861 they went to British Columbia and five years

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later went to Oregon and settled on a claim of 160 acres. There, in 1884, her husband died, and after his death she continued to manage the farm until her marriage to Mr. Richard Samp- son, which event occurred in 1887. She had seven children by her first husband, all of whom are living. Her eldest son, Richard S. Sales, the second white child born on Vancouver's island, at Esgnimalt, in July, 1851, now carries the mail over one of the most dangerous routes in the West, namely, in Tillamook connty, Oregon, he being the only person that would venture over the road again after making tlie first trip. Her second son, James E., was the first white child born where Tacoma now stands, in 1853. At that time Tacoma was only a logging camp.

Mrs. Sampson has purchased two acres of land in Croft's donation land claim, where she now makes her home.

M ELVIN G. WINSTOCK, lawyer .- The subject of this sketch was born in Richmond, Virginia, March 31, 1864. His father was of Spanish descent and his mother was born in the Old Dominion State. Mr. Winstock's early education was secured in the public schools of the city of Richmond, he graduated from the high school there at the age of thirteen, and spent several years in Abbeville, Sonth Carolina, engaged in mercantile pursuits. Early in life he became devoted to literature, and while yet a clerk began the study of law under Judge MeGowan, of the Supreme Court of South Carolina. In four years the young man had saved up, by strict economy, enough to enable him to take a collegiate course, and he matrienlated at the University of Virginia, spending several years at this famous seat of learning. In 1883, Mr. Winstock won the orators' gold medal at the University, taking as his subject, “Benjamin Disraeli." Thence Mr. Winstoek proceeded to Philadelphia, where he studied law and was ad- mitted to practice, but literature, which had ever allnred him, retained so strong a hold upon him that he branched out into journalism, and served most of the leading newspapers of that city. He then went abroad and did general literary work in London, England. He then returned to the United States and took up his residence

in Portland, Oregon, in 1888, where for quite a period of time he occupied an editorial position on the Oregonian. From the Oregonian he transferred his allegiance to the Post-Intelli- gencer of Seattle. During the fall of 1892, becoming interested in politics, he espoused the cause of the Honorable John F. Miller for Pros- eenting Attorney, and npon the election of that gentleman was appointed Deputy Proseenting Attorney of King county. Later Mr. Winstock associated himself with the Hon. W. T. Scott and the Hon. John W. Carson, and resigned his public office to devote his entire attention to his increasing private practice.

Mr. Winstock is a representative, earnest and thorough Jew. The Hebrews of the State, when, desiring some one to stand for them on public occasions, have invariably called Mr. Winstock to represent them, so that he has acquired quite a reputation as an orator. His public addresses have shown that he is capable and willing on all occasions to stand forward for his people. Ile is yet a young man, but he has shown that he possesses the intrinsic qualities that entitle him to an abundant success.

W ILLIAM H. PUMPHREY, resident of Seattle, was born in Belmont county, Ohio, August 30, 1846. His parents, Bazelleel J. and Anna (Baldwin) Pumphrey, were natives of Virginia, and located, about 1844, in Ohio, where Mr. Pumphrey engaged in agricultural pursuits. William II. was edu- cated in the public schools of Belmont county, and at the MeNeeley Normal School at Hope- dale, Ohio, spending his summers upon the farmı, and remaining with his parents until the spring of 1868. He then passed the summer in Lemonweir, Wisconsin, in railroad work, and in January, 1869, came to the Pacific coast, by steamer from New York, via the Panama ronte. Duly arriving in San Francisco he re- embarked for Portland, Oregon, and in May continued his journey to Seattle. Ile then se- cured a clerkship in the store of the Pnget Mill Company, at Port Gamble, and remained until November, 1870, then returned to Seattle and followed clerking up to April, 1871. He then purchased an interest in the pioneer stationery store of Seattle and formed the copartnership of Coombs & Pumphrey, which continned eighteen

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months, when Mr. Coombs retired and the firm became Pumphrey & Young. One year later our subject purchased the entire interest and operated alone up to 1882, when J. D. Lowman purchased an interest, and the enterprise was continued under the firm name of Pumphrey & Lowman. In 1883 Pumphrey withdrew and acted as agent of the Northern Pacific Express Company. In 1885 he re-engaged in the stationery business under the firm name of William H. Pumphrey & Co., and has since continned the business under the same title, carrying a fine line of stationery, books and such other articles as are usually handled in first- class establishments of the sort. He suffered heavily in the disastrous fire of June, 1889, but immediately resumed business and is recognized as one of the leading stationers of the city.

He was married in Seattle, in 1874, to Miss Lizzie M. Johns, of Zanesville, Ohio. They have one child, Harry E. Socially, Mr. Pum- phrey affiliates with the I. O. O. F. In politics he is an active Republican, a devont adherent to the principles of the party, but in no sense a seeker for political preferment.

H ON. GEORGE W. BYRD, who is living in Pierce county, Washington, was born in Jo Daviess county, Illinois, March 7, 1843.

A lam Byrd, his father, was born in Ohio, in 1796, and his mother, Mary (Houch) Byrd, was born of German parents, 1797, in North Caro- lina. The subject of our sketch removed with his parents from his native State to Richland county, Wisconsin, where his father operated a flouring mill until April, 1852. At that time the Byrd family started for the Pacific coast, and the following fall arrived at Vancouver. There they remained during the winter, and the following spring, within the month of Febru- ary, 1853, they came to Puget Sound with A. Slaughter, Lieutenant of Company C, Fourth Infantry United States Regulars. They first stopped at Chamber's mill near Steilacoom, and in June, 1853, moved to the mill of Andrew Byrd, brother of George. The father died soon after their arrival at that place, and George and his brothers supported the family. In the spring of 1867 they came to what is now known as Fern Hill, pre-empted 160 acres of land and engaged in farming and hop-raising.

In 1881 George W. Byrd was elected County Commissioner of Pierce county, and in 1985 he was elected Representative of the same county, and served two years.

Mrs. Byrd was formerly Miss Mary White of Thurston county, Washington. She is a dangh- ter of William and Margaret (Stewart) White. Her father was massacred during the Indian war, near Eaton's mill on Chambers' prairie. Mr. and Mrs. Byrd have eight children living, namely: Clara, Addie, Roy, Jessie, Walter, Frank, Elbert and Dora, -- all unmarried and at home except Addie.

F M. GUYE, a pioneer of 1853 to the Pacific coast, was born in Greene county, Indiana, January 7, 1833. His parents, Samuel and Susanna (Betwell) Gnye, were na- tives of Tennessee and Virginia respectively. Samuel Guye was reared upon a farm and agri- culture was the occupation of his life. This vocation he followed in Indiana, Missouri and Iowa.

Our subject remained with his parents until twenty years of age, receiving his education in the schools of Iowa, which were quite primitive, prior to 1853, at which time he crossed the plains to California. He worked his passage by assisting in the driving of a large herd of cattle. Seven months were consumed on the journey, which was very successfully performed. They arrived in Hangtown, now Placerville, in September, 1853. Young Guye then entered into partnership with Calvin Smith, purchased six mules with wagon and outfit, and engageil in teaming from Sacramento, which was profit- ably continued to 1856, when our subject sold his interest and removed to Grizzly Flats, El Dorado county, and there followed quartz-min- ing and teaming to 1858, when he " broke up."

`The Fraser river excitement then being at its height, he started for that country and spent one year along the river, with poor success. He then came to the Sound country, arriving at Seattle in June, 1859. Ilis first occupation was on the military road under construction to Bellingham bay; but after a few months he bought a logging toam and ontfit, and engaged in entting and selling logs to the sawmills, which he followed very successfully up to 1880. He then passed one summer in the employ of

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the Port Madison Lumber Company in locating timber lands, and since that time has not en- gaged in active business, but has been continu- ously occupied in prospecting and locating mineral claims throughout the Cascade mount- ains, giving particular attention to locating iron and coal prospects, in which he has been very successful. After satisfying himself, he has filed and secured patents on his lands, which now cover abont 1,000 acres.

Among his most valuable claims is the Industry mine, located on Guye's mountain, at the head of the South fork of the Snoqualmie river, near Snoqualmie pass, in the Cascade mountains. It covers an area of 240 aeres and contains bodies of magnetic iron ore from 50 to 100 feet thiek, which crops ont in many places. On the same property is a body of white and mottled marble, which in fineness and polish is unsurpassed.

The Bessemer mine, located between the Middle and North forks of the Snoqualnie river, about ten miles east of the large hop ranch, under a elaim of 200 acres, indicates red and micaceons hematite ores in vast ledges, with large deposits of magnetic ore.

The Bald Ilornet mine, located in the same neighborhood as the above, bas sixty acres, and develops vast richness in red and brown hema- tite.

The Washington coal mine, in the Sank mountains about eighteen miles southeast of Seattle, extends over an area of 560 acres, and indicates great deposits of semi-anthracite. cannel and bituminous coals.

In his development Mr. Guye has discovered seven veins, from three to nine feet in thickness, which extend to great depth, at an angle of forty degrees. In his investigations he feels satisfied that the iron and coal interests of Washington are inexhaustible in their supply, and will be of great richness when fully developed.

Mr. Guye was married in Seattle, in 1872, to Mrs. Eliza (Dunn) Plympton, a native of Maine.

While the mineral interest have occupied much of Mr. Guye's time during the past twelve years, he has also accumulated some valuable business property in the city of Seattle. Geology has become with him a favorite study, but his knowledge has been acquired by person- al effort and practical application, until he has become one of the mining authorities of the Pacific Northwest.

Ile shipped upward of 3,000 pounds of mineral exhibits for the Washington exhibit at the Chicago World's Fair, all of which he took out of the mountains on men, mules and wagons, all of which was done at his own ex- pense, comprising iron, marble, coal, fire-clay and moulding sand.

AMES PATTISON, a retired capitalist and respected citizen of Olympia, Washington, was born December 25, 1824, in Randolph county, Illinois. His parents, William and Mary (Munford) Pattison, were natives of Ire- land and South Carolina, respectively. They were married in Randolph county, Illinois, where they resided on a farm from 1822 to April 10, 1849, when, in company with their six sons, two of whom,-James, of this notice and Nathan,-were married, started across the plains. Nathan's wife died on the way and was buried by the sorrowing family on the plains, with only the winds to sing her requiemn.

The first settlement at which they arrived was in Oregon Territory, on the Columbia river, which they reached Christmas day, 1849. Here they spent the winter, and in the spring of 1850 went to Oregon City, passing through the place on which the proud city of Portland now stands but which was at that time a lonely forest. They remained in Oregon City until July, 1850, and then started for the Sound country, but, owing to scarcity of provisions and money, were obliged to stop near Monticello, Washington, where they raised a crop in the summer and worked at lumbering in the winter. In 1851, they settled near Cowlitz river, but in the carly spring of 1852, all started once more for the Sound, making their way through two feet of snow to New Market, at the mouth of Des Chutes river. From there they were obliged to have their cattle swim across the river and thetn- selves to cross in canoes, and finally to cut a trail to reach Olympia, which place was then platted as a town, but had few inhabitants, and only one store, kept by George A. Barnes.

From there they proceeded to Chambers' prairie, where James Pattison of this notice, and his wife, together took a claim of 640 acres, in 1832. His wife's maiden name was Jane Wyllie, and she was a native of Scotland, bav- ing been brought to America by her parents

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when she was a child, to Randolph county, Illi- nois, where she was married to Mr. Pattison, February 17, 1848. They continued to reside on their claim until 1855, at which time they sought refuge at Fort Eaton during the Indian war, Mr. Pattison enlisting as a volunteer and serving three months under Captain Isaac Ilays and Lieutenant Conner.

On the close of the war, the returned to their farm, where they continued to reside until 1859, in which year Mr. Pattison sold out and invested largely in Olympia property, he own- ing at that time nearly one- half of the city and at present has a large amount of the best prop- erty there. He has built a large and attractive residence, where he resides in retirement from active business pursuits, with his wife and two children: James R. and Annie. His brother Nathan, who makes his home with the subject of this sketch, is a well-to do eitizen, prominent with his fellow men and a member of Tacoma Good Templars, Lodge No. 4, also a conspicu- ous Odd Fellow of Olympia, Lodge No. 1.

The life of Mr. James Pattison may well serve as an incentive to all worthy young men, as showing what industry and perseverance may accomplish when intelligently directed and com- biued with high moral purpose.

A RTHUR PETERSON, deceased, wa born in Sweden, May 18, 1845, and left his native country as a sailor, at the age of nineteen years. He worked his way up until he became second mate of a large ship. At lengthi tiring of the sea he located at Port Lud- low and ran an edger in a large sawmill until April, 1874, when he engaged as second mate on a schooner running between that port and San Francisco. After making two trips he married Miss Caroline M. Nelson, July 13, 1874, in San Francisco. She is a native of Sweden. In September following, Mr. Finney, the owner of the Port Ludlow sawmill, went to San Francisco and re-engaged Mr. Peterson as an edger for the mill, and during the next month Mrs. Pattison came to the port. At this place the oldest child, William Robert, was born, May 13, 1875. In July, 1876, Mr. Peterson re- moved with his family to a point upon the Snohomish river, where their second child, Arthur, was born, August 6, 1876; George Al-

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An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 103

Author: Hines, Harvey K., 1828-1902 Publication date: 1893 Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis publishing company Number of Pages: 1056

Author: Hines, Harvey K., 1828-1902
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Chicago, The Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 1056