An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 107

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 107

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In 1885 Mr. Clode came to Pierce county, Washington, and took a claim to 160 acres of land on the shore of Lake Tapps, six miles from Sumner. In order to get to this elaim he had to cut away the timber and build a road a considerable portion of the six miles. Ile now has sixteen acres of this land in fruit and vege- tables, and forty acres of good pasture. The

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.

place is well improved with good buildings and fences, and is a comfortable and desirable home. Ile resided here until February, 1893, when he was appointed to his present position at the poor farin. This farm comprises seventy-eight acres of land, fifty acres of which are under cultivation, and all the products necessary for the maintenance of the inmates arc raised here. The buildings are valued at abont $6,000. At present there are abont thirty inmates, men, women and children, in the institution, and under the able management of Mr. Clode they are well taken care of, and the farm is in a prosperous condition. Mr. Clode was recently appointed a member of the Advisory Council of the Congress Auxiliary of the World's Con- gress of Agriculture.

Ile was married in Australia in 1871, to Marian P. Martyn, who was born on the coast of Africa, her parents being English. They have one child, a daughter.

Mr. Clode's father was born in England in 1814, where he obtained a classical education. HIis mother was born at the same place, in 1812, and died at the age of seventy-six years, honored and respected by all.

D R. G. WILLIS PRICE, dental practi- tioner in the city of Seattle, was born in Pittsburg, Carroll county, Indiana, in December, 1849, being the son of James and Eliza J. (Sinith) Price. Losing his father in early childhood, he crossed the plains in 1853 with his mother and her parents, all locating in Albany, Oregon, in the beautiful valley of the Willamette. At this place Dr. Price spent his boyhood days, and it may be interesting to relate that it is still the home of his mother, who is twice a widow, and of his grandfather, who at the rige old age of ninety-three is in the enjoyment of excellent health. The married life of the grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. John Smith, covered a period of sixty-five years. The grandmother having died in the year 1890, aged eighty-nine years.

In the trip across the plains only the ordin- ary difficulties were encountered, neither sick- ness nor serions accident having occurred during the entire eight months occupied in making the journey. The train, which was quite a long one, was composed of wagons drawn by horse

or ox-teams, there being an ample supply of provisions besides guns and ammunition. The year previous having recorded very serious Indian troubles, every care was taken to guard against possible disaster, and while no collision occurred the redmen of the plains, like vultures, were hovering near, as was proved by the rapid- ity with which they swooped down on an aban- doned wagon-even before the train was out of sight-and tore the spokes out of the wheels that they might convert them into war-clubs.

In the Grande Ronde valley, in eastern Ore- gon, Indians in large numbers were first met. They were the Nez Perces,-the typical Indians of the story books, many of them magnificent specimens of noble manhood, well dressed in fringed and beaded buckskins, and wealthy in herds of horses and cattle. They were intelligent, and friendly to the whites, as, for the most part, they always have been.

Not being troubled with the responsibilities of so serious an undertaking as a trip across the plains in the early days, " little George," as he was familiarly called by the train-men, saw much every day to make life worth living. In company with his grandmother, who drove the team of horses, he occupied a family carriage one of the first ever brought into Oregon-it being loaded with feather-beds, etc., and being a most comfortable vehicle to occupy either by day or by night. These pioneer experiences, while not startling in their character, are never- theless vivid in the memory because of their novelty.

At that time the Willamette valley swarmed with Indians, villages containing hundreds or thousands of them being often seen, and while quite friendly with the whites they were more degraded and shiftless than those previously met. Mock war dances were often held, and the entire white population were cordially in- vited to witness the performance. The weird music still rings in the ears of our subject. He has not forgotten the old gray-headed chief, who, having taken a quite a fancy to him, kept him supplied with bows and arrows; nor the young "bucks" as they engaged in the Indian game of "shinie," which in some respects resembles the game of "LaCrosse," being played with a ball and bent clubs.

G. Willis Price received his literary education at the Albany Collegiate Institute. At the age of twenty-one he entered the office of Dr. J. R. Cardwell, of Portland, as a student of dentistry.

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HISTROY OF WASHINGTON.

After eighteen months of hard study and prac- tice, his health having failed, he was advised to seek a change of climate. Acting on this sug- gestion, he procured a full set of dental instru- ments, and started for the rough mining dis- tricts of Oregon and Idaho. Here he remained for more than four years, practicing his profes- sion as opportunity offered, and engaging in mining ventures as well. By so doing he suc- ceeded in the usual way of putting a good deal of money into the ground, in fact all that he made in his practice; but having fully recover- ed his health, which to him was worth more than gold, besides having gained much in the way of practical experience, his ambitious desire to qualify himself for a higher place in his profes- sion led him to return to the realms of civiliza- tion.

After a short sojourn in Oregon and Cali- fornia Dr. Price went to New York city, where he could obtain superior advantages in study and practice. Having opened an office soon after his arrival, he was enabled to successfully conduct his practice and also attend two full courses of lectures at the New York College of Dentistry, at which institution he graduated in the spring of 1880.

Having established a good practice he was loth to give it up, but found it necessary to return west for a time; so, leaving his office in charge of an assistant, he came again to this eoast, expecting to resume charge of his Eastern practice after a few months' sojourn in Oregon. Being induced, however, to visit Seattle, he was so favorably impressed with the beauties of scenery, mildness of climate and the opportun- ity for the establishment of a lucrative practice, that he decided to make this city his future home. His wife, to whom he was married in Boise city, Idaho, in 1875, accompanied him and he began practice here in the fall of 1882, taking a leading place among the members of the dental profession of this city, which place he continues to hold, commanding the respect of both practitioners and patrons alike.

Dr. Price is a very busy man, having to em- ploy two or three assistants at times, but he still finds time to devote to the advancement of the profession, being one of the organizers of the Washington State Dental Society, and for the past three or four years a member of the State Dental Examination Board, either in the capacity of secretary or president, to which State office he was appointed by the Governor.

Ile did mueh to aid in the preparation and pas- sage of the new State dental law, whiel was enacted at the last meeting of the legislature. This law is considered to be one of the best in existence at the present time touching required qualifications for the practice of dentistry.

At the time of the Chinese riot some years ago, Dr. Price was a sworn deputy, under Sheriff -- now Governor-McGraw, and in company with other well-known business and profession- al men, did good service in quelling the dis- turbance, after which, on the organization of the National Guard, he enlisted regularly, continu- ing an active member of Company E, First Regiment, until quite recently.

Dr. Price is a great lover of music, birds and flowers, and, while wide awake in matters of public interest, still finds relaxation and enjoy- ment in his home life. He has always taken a great deal of interest in the work of the church and the Sabbath-school, having been for many years a member and a teacher. As an Elder of the First Presbyterian Church of this city, he was one of the Commissioners from Wash- ington to the Centennial General Assembly held in Philadelphia in 1888.

D R. DAVID J. TURNER, a prominent physician and the present Mayor of Cheney, Washington, is a native of Ogle county, Illinois, and dates his birth in the year 1853. His parents, James and Rebecca (George) Turner, were both born in England. Ilis father came to America when seventeen years of age, settled in Illinois, and in the early days hauled his produce to Chicago, the nearest market. The Doctor's mother was about ten years old when she came with her mother to this country. She and Mr. Turner were married in Ogle county, Illinois, in 1845, and enjoyed a long and happy married life, his death occur- ring in 1882, and hers in 1886. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They had a family of ten children, the subject of our sketch being the fourth born, and all are still living except the youngest, who died at the age of twenty-two years. The Doctor's early lite was similar to that of most farmer boys. He received his education at Mt. Morris, Illi- nois, where he graduated in 1872, after which he began the study of medicine at Chana, Illi-

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nois, under the instruction of Dr. M. C. Roe, with whom he remained two years. He then entered Bennett Medical College, Chicago, and graduated in March, 1879. He began practice at Mission Creek, Pawnee county, Nebraska, in September of that year, and continued there two years. The following two years he practiced at Steele City, Jefferson county, from there went to Liberty, Gage county, and in 1888 came to the far West, locating in Cheney, Washington, in June. Here he bought property and made per- manent settlement, and has since had the mis fortune to be burned out twice. The Doctor has the interests of this little city at heart, and is doing all in his power, both professionally and otherwise, to promote its welfare. He was elected to his present position, that of Mayor of Cheney, June 6, 1892.

lIe was married in April, 1880, to Miss Anna Redmond, a native of Illinois. They have two sons, Harry B. and Roe. Mrs. Turner is a member of the Congregational Church.

The Doctor is identified with the following organizations: The State Medical Association, the United States Eclectic Association, and the State Pharmaceutical Association. He is also a member of Temple Lodge, No. 42, A. F. & A. M.

I OHN T. REDMAN, of the wholesale gro- cery firm of Reese, Crandall & Redman, has been and is still one of the most active factors in the building up of Tacoma. A brief personal reference to him and his son is essen- tial to the completeness of this volume.

John T. Redman was born in Linn county, Oregon, January 3, 1856, son of Benjamin W. and Amanda E. (Craven) Redman. He began his education at his native place, and in 1875 completed the course of the public shools of Linn county. In 1877 he entered Whitman College, Walla Walla, where he pursued his studies for one year. In 1878 Mr. Redman was employed as bookkeeper for Saling & Reese, of Weston, Oregon, and in 1883 was promoted to head salesman and manager for that firm. Next, as a member of the firm of Reese & Red- man, he embarked in the general merchandise business at Adams, which town was then taking its start. This firm carried on a vast trade. They also handled grain, from 750,000 to 1,000,- 000 bushels of wheat per annum, and in 1886

disposed of 450.000 wheat bags as one item of their business, the greatest record ever made by a firm in the interior. In 1888 the business there was disposed of, and the extensive house of Reese, Redman & Company was started in Tacoma, and, in 1889, the firm name was changed to Reese, Crandall & Redman, the present title.

Mr. Redman assisted in the organization of the Commercial Club in 1891, being one of its seventy-five charter members. Upon the organi- zation of the club, he was electedl its president, and at once took the lead in making the organi- zation what it has since become, the most active agent in looking after the interests of Tacoma. Of his work in connection with the Commercial Club too much cannot be said, as his activity and earnestness were potent factors in the work which brought to the support of this body every man who cared to assist in the city's ad- vancement, and which commanded in its behalf the admiration of visitors and citizens of other municipalities. He was re-elected to the presi- dency of the club in 1892, and during his in- cumbency in the executive office the member- ship increased to about 700, including all the representative business and professional men of the city. Tacoma indeed owes much to Mr. Redman. He has also freely given his service to the cause of the Republican party, and is prominent in its councils.

Mr. Redman was married at Weston, Oregon, to Miss Fannie M., eldest daughter of I. T. Reese. They have two children, Grace and Herbert.

G EORGE R. WILSON, who is located on ranch a mile east of Bothell, King county, Washington, is one of the representative men of his vicinity, and is entitled to some personal mention in this work. He was born January 9, 1841, in Trowbridge, Wiltshire county, England, son of James and Lucy (Ridley) Wilson. He shipped as a seaman at the age of sixteen, and for several years was on the deep, being on board a man of war for three years and nine months, and for two years and five months on merchant vessels. Among the ports at which he landed we mention the follow- ing: Portsmouth, Portland, Weymouth, Plym- outh, Rio Janeiro, Montevideo, Buenos Ayres,

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Falkland islands, Valparaiso, Callao, Panama and Victoria. July 7, 1863, he left the mer- chant vessel Orion at Seabeck, Washington, and has since been a resident of this State. He spent a few days in Port Madison, two months at Port Blakely, and the following winter worked in a sawmill at Seattle. Then for a year or two he was engaged in various occupations, and finally he decided to learn the trade of brick mason, which he did under the instructions of J. T. Jordan. He continued working at this trade for six years or more, whenever there was any work to be had. In 1870 he took claim to a tract of land half a mile east of Bothell, to which he secured title under the pre-emption law. He bought ont E. Guthrie's claim of 160 acres, after Guthrie had received patent for his land. He also took a timber claim of forty acres. Although he located his present place in 1870 and made some improvements thereon, he did not permanently settle here until May, 1873.

Mr. Wilson was never married.

G EORGE B. THOMPSON, M. D., of Kent, King county, Washington, was born in Upper Canada, July 12, 1856, his parents being George and Catherine (Metcalf) Thompson, both natives of Ireland. He was reared to farm life. and received a high- school education. In 1875 he began the study of medicine, and completed his preparation for practice at the University of Toronto, where he received his degree in medicine.

In 1880 Dr. Thompson located in Sumner, Iowa, where he practiced two years, and from whence he removed to North Dakota. He con- ducted a successful practice for four years in North Dakota, after which he practiced four years in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He then came to Waslington and took up his abode in Kent, where he immediately took rank with the lead- ing practitioners of that portion of King county.

Dr. Thompson has for a number of years been actively identified with the political affairs of the various towns in which he has been located, being a Democrat in his proclivities. In 1882, in Dakota, he was the candidate of his party for County Coroner, and in 1883 he was elected County Commissioner. While at La Crosse, he organized the Jefferson Club, of which he served

as President. Ile is a member of Verity Lodge, No. 59, F. & A. M., and has passed the Mas- ter's chair. He is also a member of the I. O. O. F.

Dr. Thompson was married in 1882, to Miss Pearl E. Tower, a native of Wisconsin. They have two children, Pearl E. and Mona May.

EVI HARVEY BEEKS is known throughout Klickitat county as a progress- ive agriculturist and a man of sterling worth. He is a native of Indiana, born near Lynn, Randolph county, March 27, 1853. His parents, William Ellis and Christiana (Clenny) Beeks, were born in the Buckeye State, in Greene and Preble counties respectively. They were married in Randolph county, Indiana, aud removed thence to Nodaway county, Missouri, and settled thirteen miles east of Marysville, the county seaf. Six months later they went to Mills county, Iowa. In 1874 they removed to Washington county, Oregon, and afterward came to this State. The father homesteaded 160 acres in Pleasant valley, Klickitat county, twelve and a half miles from Goldendale. Here both father and mother passed the remainder of their days. The mother was the first to yield up a life that had been spent in useful activity, her death occurring August 18, 1880. On June 23, 1888, the father was called to his long rest. Their son, Levi Harvey Beeks, spent his boy- hood days in Indiana and Missouri, being reared to the occupation of a farmer. At the adminis- trator's sale of his father's estate, in October, 1889, he purchased the old homestead on which he now resides. He conducts a general farming business, and annually sows a large acreage to grain. He also owns a quarter section of rail- road land, which he acquired by purchase in the fall of 1889. He has adopted the system of summer-fallowing, which is found to be ex- ceedingly profitable, and neglects no opportu- nity to enhance the value of his land. He has given especial attention to the growing of fruit, and has a thrifty young orchard of prunes and pears, this sort of product flourishing best in this climate. Mr. Beeks has done much to ele- vate the standard and improve the breed of horses in this section, and has raised some fine specimens on his own place.

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Politically he supports the principles of the Republican party; he is a member of the Pleasant Valley Grange, of which he is Over- seer, and is Doorkeeper of Pleasant Alliance, No. 315. Upright and honorable in all his dealings, he has won an enviable position in the com- munity.

M OSES WARD, of Lake View, Washing- ton, was born in Fountain county, In- diana, February 18, 1829, son of John and Tamer (Masterson) Ward, both na- tives of Kentucky.

John Ward moved in 1826, from Kentucky to Indiana, where he remained, engaged in farming, until the time of his death in 1853. Moses remained on his father's farm until 1851, when he crossed the plains to Oregon City, Oregon, then only a small village. Soon after- ward he went to Milwaukee, Oregon, and thence, within the same year to Portland, where he re- mained during the winter, getting out shingle bolts. In the spring of 1852 he went to the Rogue river mines, where he stayed until he nearly starved and then returned to Portland. There he was employed in getting out vessel timbers.

Mr. Ward dates his arrival in Steilacoom, Washington, in April, 1854. There he was em- ployed in a sawmill owned by Dr. Weber, L. F. Thompson and Lafayette Balch. After that he took a claim on Wallace's island, now known as Anderson island. In 1855, vacating the claim, he enlisted in Company D, Washington Vohin- teers, under Captain W. II. Wallace and Lieu- tenant Moore, and was in active service three months, after which he was in the Quarter- master's employ at $90 per month. He remained in the Quartermaster's employ until the close of the war. After the war he made three trips to the mines of British Columbia. On his first trip, in 1858, he visited the mines of Forts Langly, Hope and Yale, and on his last trip, in 1863, he was at the Cariboo mines.

Retiring from the mines, Mr. Ward turned his attention to the dairy business, in partner. ship with L. J. Keach, but their enterprise proved a failure and the partnership was dis- solved. He then took claim to a tract of land where Lake View is now located, and there he lived for twenty-five years. A part of that time he served as Postmaster of the town. Ele

subsequently sold the farm and bought another one a few miles from Lake View, upon which he is now residing.

Mr. Ward was married May 29, 1889, to Ilannah S. Squire, daughter of William and Martha (Bastard) Squire. She was born in Ohio, and came to this country with her par- ents, arriving at Portland, Oregon, May 23, 1882. Soon afterward they came to Pierce county, Washington, where she took a claim, improved the same in accordance with law, and proved up on it. She has since sold this claim for $20,000.

J OEL MYERS, deceased, one of the pio- neers of Washington, and for many a resi- dent of Steilacoom city, was born in what is now West Virginia, October 1, 1819. Jacob and Mary (Trump) Myers, his parents, were na- tives of Pennsylvania, and were honest tillers of the soil. They moved with their family to the western part of Virginia at an early day, bought a farm, and there spent the residue of their lives.

Joel Myers, at the age of twenty, imbued with the spirit of emigration, came west as far as Iowa and settled near Iowa city. IIe was also for a time at Bloomington (now known as Muscatine). Fle was engaged in farming at both those places and also in Van Buren and Wapello counties. Hearing rumors of the great wealth to be found in the West, he started April 9, 1850, for the Pacific coast in search of gold. Cholera broke out in the train with which he traveled and but few escaped the dread disease, he being among the fortunate ones. Ile arrived in Oregon City, October 10, 1850, and there spent the winter. The following spring he went to Shasta county, California, and com- menced prospecting for gold. He continued mining until 1852, at which time he returned to Oregon City and went to work on a farm. The fall of that year found him in Olympia, Washington Territory, whence, a short time afterward, he came to Steilacoom, and in 1853 took a donation claim of 640 acres (now owned by Dan Mounts) near Nisqually ferry, known during war times as Fort Ragland. He sub- sequently sold that farm and bought of William N. Savage 320 acres, which is still a portion of lıis estate.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.

Mr. Myers was married February 1, 1872, to Mrs. Mary Lowell, a pioneer of Washington, who was born in Barren county, Kentucky, Decem- ber 2, 1824. Her parents, D. P. Morris, a paper manufacturer of Delaware, and Elizabeth Hamilton, of Bethel, Virginia, were married in Kentucky. They emigrated to Huntsville, Schuyler connty, Illinois, in 1837, their daugh- ter Mary being at that time fourteen years of age. January 7, 1841, she married A. C. Lowell, a butcher of Quincy. Mr. Lowell crossed the plains in 1852 and Mrs. Lowell came in 1857 via New York and by water to Aspinwall, thence to Panama by train and from there to San Francisco by water, arriving at that city June 15, 1857. From there they came by boat up the Columbia river to Oregon, and thence to Steilacoom on horseback. A. C. Lowell died here in 1866, leaving a widow and three sons, one of the sons, Oscar, dying at the age of twenty-eight years. The other two are residents of Pierce connty. In 1872, as above stated, Mrs. Lowell became the wife of Joel Myers and since her marriage has resided in Steilacoom city. Joel Myers died Angust 16, 1893, his life having been one filled with kindly deeds and noble ambition.

A LBERT FRANK HOSKA, of Tacoma, manufacturer of saddles and harness, is one of the representative men in his line of business of the State of Wash- ington. A few items in regard to his life and business enreer are therefore of interest in this volume, devoted to the history of the State and its interests.

Albert F. Hoska was born in the city of Chicago, February 28, 1851, his parents being Lucas and Catherine Iloska. When he was bnt nine years of age he was left an orphan, by the death of both of his parents, and he was placed in the Catholic Orphan Asylum at Rose Hill. After a year and a half at that institution, he was apprenticed to the harness-maker's trade at Oconto, Wisconsin, and spent four years at that place, acquiring his first knowledge of the busi- ness, which he has followed through life. He then went back to Chicago and perfected him- self at his trade in the large establishment of C. A. Kerfoot. After that he engaged himself to a harness-manufacturing firm in Denver,

Colorado, and, going to that city, remained two years, after which he again returned to Chicago and entered the employ of Mr. Kerfoot. There he remained until 1876, when he went to Mari- etta, Wisconsin, and engaged in business on his own account. He remained there nntil 1883, when, attracted by the opportunities afforded by the development of the I'nget Sound region in Washington, he came to Tacoma, with which city he has been identified since, practically, its pioneer days. He bought a small shop, which occupied the site of the Fife hotel, and from his small beginning sprang up a trade which assumed immense proportions. His establish- ment on Pacific avenne is a model of neatness of arrangement.

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An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 107

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