An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 108

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 108

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Mr. Hoska was married in Marietta, Wiscon- sin, to Miss Mary McClne, a native of Canada and a daughter of John McClne.

He is prominent in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, having taken all the degrees, and was Grand High Priest of the Grand En- campment in 1892. He is now Lieutenant of the Canton, Patriarchs Militant. He is well- known throughout the State in the capacity of Guide in the order, having administered more degrees in the State of Washington than any other man. He affiliates locally with Rainier Lodge, of which he is Past Grand. He is also Past Grand of Eureka (Rebekah degree) Lodge, No. 1. He is Past Chancellor of Commence- ment Lodge, No. 7, K. of P., and is Repre- sentative for 1893 to the Grand Lodge of the order; is also a member of Division No. 4, Uniform Rank. He is Sachem of Susqualamie Lodge, No. 5, I. O. of R. M., and Chieftain of Tacoma League, No. 2.

Politically, Mr. Hoska is a stanch Republican, and has frequently represented his party in its county and State conventions.

N ICHOLAS ENNIS, one of the prominent and progressive agriculturists of Clarke county, has been identified with the de- velopment of the natural resources of the section since 1879, when he took up a resi- dence in the favored commonwealth. Occupy- ing the position he does, it is fitting that a brief outline of his life be here inserted. A native of Nova Scotia, he was born December 30, 1835, a son of Nicholas and Mary (Cullen) Ennis.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.

The father was born in Ireland, and the mother in Nova Scotia; the former died in 1846, but the mother survived until 1863. They had a family of ten children, Nicholas, Jr., being the sixth-born. He was reared and educated in the land of his nativity, and in early life learned the wheelwright's trade. IIe came to the United States in 1860, and for four years lived in New Ilampshire and Massachusetts, then re- turning to the scenes of his childhood, where he remained until 1869. The spirit of enter- prise, perhaps not unmixed with that of adven- ture, was still strong within him, and he deter- mined to see what the land of the Pacific slope was like. He made the trip by way of Panama on the steamers Alaska and Montana. Arriving in San Francisco he took up his residence there, and for ten years made it his home. In 1879, as before stated, he came to Clarke county, Washington.

Mr. Ennis has a farm of 160 acres four miles east of La Center. Thirty acres are under good cultivation, and nine are set to a young orchard, in which the prune predominates. He has taken an active interest in the agricultural and other resources of this country, and having been im- bned with the spirit of progress has never abated it, and has won the highest respect of the entire community. He was naturalized in San Fran- eisco in 1872, and sinee becoming a citizen of the United States has been an ardent supporter of the principles of the Democratie party. He has been a member of the School Board for eleven years, and during that time has done much to promote the effective work of the system of public schools.

He was married in San Francisco, October 9, 1870, to Miss Catherine Cuningham, a danghter of the Emerald Isle. Six children were born to them, two daughters having died in infancy. The surviving children are, Joseph T., Mary, Catherine and Sarah A.

J AMES H. ALEXANDER, a worthy rep- resentative of husbandry in Clarke eounty, Washington, is entitled to consideration in this volume. He is a native of the Blue- grass State, born in Bourbon county, March 19, 1822. His parents, John S. and Mary (Simp- son) Alexander, were also Kentuckians by birth and were descended from some of the earliest

and most influential settlers of the State. They had a family of ten children, James HI. being the second-born. When he was six years old he was taken by his parents to Sangamon county, Illinois, where he was reared and educated. Be lieving that the future of the West promised much, he removed to Kansas as early as 1855, and after residing there four years he erossed the plains to the coast, taking the old emigrant trail to Oregon. The long and tedions journey was undertaken the first day of May and was not completed until the ninth of the following September, when he reached Vancouver.

Mr. Alexander now resides on a farm eight miles east of Vancouver, the tract he owns em- bracing 218 acres. He has forty acres in an advaneed state of cultivation, and takes a deep interest in the agricultural developments of the country. He is a member of Flat Wood Grange, No. 96, Patrons of Husbandry.

Politically he has always been allied with the progressive wing of the Democratic party, and his popularity throughout the district has been such that he has been repeatedly elected County Commissioner. He has served in this position for more than ten years, and at every possible opportunity has furthered the interests of his constituency.

In the year 1844, in the State of Illinois, Mr. Alexander was united in marriage to Miss Anna E. Crawford, a native of the State of Kentucky. Of this union eight children have been born: John S .; Mary J., wife of Charles Goddard; Arminta, wife of Newton Cain; Asa B .; Will- iam; James K .; Harvey T .; and Charles E., who is County Superintendent of Schools.

D R. EDWARD LOOMIS SMITHI, medi- cal practitioner in the city of Seattle, Washington, was born in Pittsford, Mon- roe county, New York, April 1, 1840. His parents, Seth Sprague and Cordelia F. (Loomis) Smith, were natives of Vermont and Connecti- cut respectively, descended from English ances- tors who were numbered among the pioneers of New England. The paternal braneh of his family was concerned in agricultural pursuits, while his maternal ancestors were among the prominent woolen manufacturers of Connecti- ent. The parents of our subject moved from Pittsford to St. Johns, Michigan, in 1866,

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.

where his father died in 1878, in his sixty- fourth year. His venerable mother is still liv- ing, aged seventy-three years.

Edward Loomis Smith was educated in the public schools at Macedon Academy, and at the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary at Lima, New York. His education was gained personal effort, the funds being secured by farm work and teaching school. He was married at South Lima, Livingston county, New York, in 1863, to Miss Elizabeth N. Hamilton, and then re- moved to the oil regions of Pennsylvania, where he engaged in the oil business.

In 1866 he returned to the vicinity of St. Johns, Michigan, and while engaged in farming took up the study of medicine, which he subse- quently continued at Buffalo, New York, and later, at the Medical College of the Pacific, now know as Cooper Medical College, San Francisco, where he graduated. He commenced practice at Quincy, Plumas county, California, and dur- ing 1873 and 1874 served as physician and sur- geon at Angel island, California, with the Twelfth United States Infantry. He then re- turned to Oniney and followed a general prac- tice until 1877, when he came to Seattle. Here he at once opened an office, and in 1879 entered into partnership with Dr. Rufus Willard, with whom he continued to practice until the great fire of 1889. He then went to New York and took a conrse in the Post-Graduate Medieal School. Returning to Seattle, he resumed his practice, operating alone till the spring of 1892, when his daughter, Dr. Belle H. Smith, became associated with him professionally. She gra- duated in the medical department of the Uni- versity of Michigan in 1888, and afterward took a course in the Post-Graduate School of New York city. She was then placed in charge of the Sherborn Prison Hospital, which is con- nected with the Reformatory Prison for Women, and after filling that position two years return- ed to Seattle.

Dr. E. L. Smith is a member of the California State Medical Society, American Medical As- sociation, Medical Society of the State of Washı- ington, King County Medical Society, and is president of the Seattle Medical Society and Library Association. He was the last president of the Territorial Medical Society, and the first president of the State Medical Society. He is a surgeon of the Providence Hospital of Seattle. Ile served as Surgeon-General on the staff of Governor Ferry, and Brigade-Surgeon on the

staff of General A. B. Curry. Socially he is a Knight Templar Mason, a member of the I. O. O. F., the Commandery, K. of P., and the A. O. U. W.

As a physician Dr. Smith stands in the front rank of his profession in Seattle, and sinee first coming to the city has had a successful and lucrative practice. He has been greatly pros- pered in his real-estate speculations, but still adlieres to his profession, for which he has a genuine love.

M ONTGOMERY PAYNE, one of the early pioneers and respected citizens of ('larke county, Washington, was born in Tennessee, February 10, 1823, a son of John and Julianna (Sper) Payne, natives of Virginia. The parents removed to Vigo county, Indiana, when our subject was quite young. The latter was reared and educated in that State, and was early innred to the hardships of farm life. After spending five years in Illinois, he crossed the plains to Clarke county, Wash- ington, the journey consuming about six months. He arrived in this State in 1852, but in 1854 removed to Eugene, Oregon, and eleven years afterward again took up his residence in this State. Mr. Payne owns 160 acres of land in Grass valley, seventy acres of which is under a fine state of cultivation, and seventeen acres is devoted to an orchard. His fruit gives good returns, and finds a ready sale in the Portland markets. Our subject also owns residence property in the village of La Camas, where he and his wife are quietly spending their evening of live.

Mr. Payne was married in Indiana, February 29, 1851, to Miss Louisa Barmore, a native of that State. They have had five children: John L., deceased June 16, 1883; Harriet, wife of Wm. Pangburn; Sarah J., now Mrs. William Brackett, and a resident of Spokane Falls; Frank and William.

M. HESS .- One of the leading industrial establishinents of Goldendale is that of the Klickitat Roller Mills, owned and operated in the beginning by Miller, Smith & Marble. In December, 1888, J. M. Hess pur-

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chased the plant, and in April, 1893, became associated with A. W. Cooper. In June, 1893, these gentlemen had the gratification of witness- ing the completion of their most admirable undertaking. They now have in operation one of the finest roller mills in the State; it is furnished with the latest and most improved machinery, and the work done is most creditable to the proprietors. The capacity is fifty barrels in twenty-four hours, the product being con- sumed by local trade, and some exchange work being also done for the accommodation of pa- trons. This plant was originally known as the Klickitat Mills, the name being changed after the roller process was supplied.

J. M. Hess, to whom inch credit is due for the successful prosecution of this valuable en- terprise, is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Mar- tin) Hess, and the date of his birth was October 5, 1848. His father was a native of Ohio, of German extraction, and his mother was born in the State of Illinois, of Scotch ancestry. The family removed to Bremer county, Iowa, and located at Waverly, in 1850. There the father engaged in farming, and during the winter sea- son followed the cooper's trade. The attractive stories that floated eastward from the Pacifie coast were alluring, and in 1867 the family sailed for the Pacific coast via the Isthmus of Panama. They left New York city on the steamer Henry Chauncey, and from the Isth- mus sailed on the Golden Age to San Francisco, from which port they traveled on the Oriflamme to Portland, Oregon. On the day after they landed, they took a trip up the Clackamas river, going fourteen miles, and soon decided to pur- chase a place in Milwaukee. This they did, and made their home there for two years. At. the end of this period they removed to the coast, and located in ('latsop county, where they resided fourteen years. In 1882, the father and mother eame to Klickitat county. Washington, and settled at Goldendale, where the father died in 1890. The mother survives, and still resides in the old home.

Our subject remained with his family until he had attained his twenty-fifth year, and while residing on the coast he was engaged in agri- cultural pursuits, and also had some interests in steamboating. In 1884, he came to Golden- dale, and engaged in the drug business with Dr. Beebe, and at the end of the year he bought the stock, and conducted the business alone for nearly four years. December 18, 1888, he

completed the purchase of the Klickitat Mills, and carried on this business alone until Mr. Cooper became associated with him. They are both men of exceptional executive ability, and by correct business methods have won a large patronage.

Mr. Iless was united in marriage, November 18, 1873, to Miss Minnie Bcebe, a native of New York State, the daughter of A. T. and Emeline (Clark) Beebe. They are the parents of five children: Charles M., John I., Mary E., Lucy E .; and one son, William, died at the age of four years. Mr. Hess is an honored member of the I. O. O. F.

H ON. ELISHA P. FERRY .- No star in the constellation of States shines with brighter effulgence than that of Wash- ington, whose brilliancy is due to the concentrated glory of her most honorable citi- zens. Among those conspicuous for their serv- iees in her canse, no one is more justly deserving of notice than the gentleman whose name heads this brief biography.

This honored citizen was born in Mon- roe, Michigan, August 9, 1825. His prelim- inary education was received in his native city, after which he studied law, both there and in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and was admitted to the bar in 1845, being then but twenty years of age. In 1846 he removed to Waukegan, Illinois, where he began practicing his pro- fession, and of which place he was continuously a resident until July, 1869, at which time he removed to the Territory of Washington. He brought with him an extended experience in public affairs, having been prominent in the State of Illinois. Ile was the first Mayor of Waukegan, and in 1852 and 1856 was Presi- dential Elector for the district in which he resid- ed. Ile was a member of the constitutional convention in Illinois in 1861, and from that year to 1863 was Bank Commissioner in that State. During these years he was a member of Governor Yates' staff, as Assistant Adjutant- General, with the rank of Colonel, and assisted in organizing, equipping and sending into the field a large number of Illinois regiments. In 1869 he was appointed Surveyor-General of Washington Territory, and in 1872 was appoint- ed Governor of the Territory and re-appointed

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.

in 1876,-all of which positions were conferred on him by President Grant. Ile served as Governor until November, 1880, when he re- moved to Seattle and became a member of the law firm of MeNaught, Ferry, MeNaught & Mitehell. In September, 1887, he retired from the pratice of the law and entered the Puget Sound National Bank as vice-president. Sep- tember 4, 1889, he was nominated by the Re- publican party for Governor of the State, and on October 1 was elected to that office, serving in that position with his usual probity and ability.

The Governor has been a strong, consistent Republican since the organization of the party and was a member of the first Republican con- vention held in the United States. Religiously, he is an active member of the Episcopal Church. In the varions walks of public and private life he has been the same conscientious, able citizen.

On the day when he retired from the office of Governor, January 11, 1893, the following ap- peared as an editorial in the Post- Intelligencer, the leading Republican paper in the State of Washington:

"THE RETIRING GOVERNOR."

"Governor Ferry will carry with him into private life the hearty respect, esteem and good wishes of the best men of the State, without distinction of party. Governor Ferry brought to the administration of his responsible office the ripe, well-garnered treasures of an upright life of energetic and varied experience. Born in Michigan, he was admitted to the bar at twenty years of age. For twenty-three years he practiced his profession in Waukegan, Illinois. During the war he rendered patriotie service npon the staff of Governor Yates, of Illinois. Ile came to Washington in 1869, was appointed Surveyor-General, and then Governor of the Territory by President Grant. Ile was eight years Territorial Governor, retiring in 1880 to resume the practice of his profession. In 1887 he became a banker, and in 1889 was elected the first Governor of the new State of Wash- ington.

" Ile was easily the best equipped man in the whole State for the position; he had been twenty years a resident of the Territory ; his experience as Surveyor-General and Territorial Execu- tive had made him familiar with the natural re- sources of Washington and its most imperative wants. He brought to the administration of

his office the technical professional knowledge of a sound lawyer, and a practical knowledge of finance and business. As a lawyer and a man of affairs he was admirably fitted for his posi- tion.

" He has more than met the high expectations of his friends. His official term has included some trying experiences, but in every instance Governor Ferry has discharged his responsibili- ties with dignity, wisdom, taet, firmness, prob- ity and resolution. Hle retires to private life followed by the hearty plaudits of his fellow citizens of all parties, who tender him their best wishes for happiness and comfort during all the years that are before him."

C APTAIN JOIIN SALTAR, who is living retired at Steilacoom city, Washington, was born June 23, 1814, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His parents, John and Margaret (Ilowell) Saltar, were both natives of Pennsyl- vania, and spent their entire lives in that State. They lived on a farm, and the Captain says, in speaking of his early life: "I never worked: just grew up on the farm. I always dodged the work." Nevertheless, he was able to make his own way in the world, as will be seen from the following sketch:

Captain Saltar remained with his parents until he was twenty-one years of age. At that time he went to Chicago, but soon afterward returned to Pennsylvania. Chicago then was a little village of only 150 people, with the ex- eeption of the soldiers garrisoned there. Soon afterward he again started out, and this time went to Hancock county, Illinois, not far from Nauvoo. He took an active part in ridding Nauvoo of the Mormons then settled there. At one time the Mormons offered a large reward for him, dead or alive, but he was fortunate enough to eseape them. Ile built a sawmill in IIancoek county, and ran it until 1844. Then he sold the mill and bought an interest in a steamboat, and engaged in trading on the Mis- sissippi river; but, tiring of this occupation, he again sold out and for a while gave his attention to the mercantile business in Illinois. In 1850 he crossed the plains, coming to the Pacific coast by way of Mexico, sometimes traveling with an emigrant train, but the most of the time riding alone on a mule.

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Arriving in San Diego, California, he worked in the mines for two years. Then he returned East via Cape Horn. In addition to this voy- age, he has twice made the journey from the East to this coast via the Isthmus of Panama, has crossed twice by the Nicaragua route, and he also crossed the plains twice. After leaving California that time he went to Damariscotta, Maine, and while there he built a sailing vessel which he named Legal Tender. For two years le traversed the seas in this vessel, and finally landed at San Francisco. Here he sold it, re- taining, however, one of the cabin ornaments, a large American eagle, carved in wood, which to-day graces the parlor of his home in Steila- coom city.

In 1860 Captain Saltar came from San Fran- cisco to his present location. IFere he bought a home, and in it he has since resided. In 1863 he was appointed Clerk of the United States District Court, by Orange Jacobs, which posi- tion he held for over fifteen years, at last re- signing rather than move from his old home to another district. He was also at one time Col- lector and Assessor of United States Internal Revenue for Idaho and Washington Territories. He is certain that Steilacoom will ultimately be the greatest city of Washington.

Captain Saltar is a member of Steilacoom Lodge, No. 2, F. & A. M.

He was married in 1854, to Jane Roberts, in Rockford, Illinois. She was born in England, March 17, 1830, and early in life emigrated to this country and settled in Illinois. She is a lady of education and refinement, and has ac- companied her husband on many of his travels. They have an only son, John Saltar, Jr., mar- ried and living in Chicago, Illinois. He is Civil and Mechanical Engineer of that city.

J ACOB JONES, who has been a resident of King county, Washington, for a number of years, is one of its representative men, and is entitled to some personal mention in this work.

He was born in Finland, in June, 1825, son of Samuel and Mary Jones. At the age of six- teen he left home, and, as cabin boy on a vessel, spent a number of years on the deep. He finally rounded Cape Horn and landed at Cali- fornia in 1854. At that time he spent nine

days in San Francisco. From there he came to the Sound country, and after securing a cargo of piles returned to San Francisco. The follow- ing two years he spent in the redwoods of Cali- fornia. After that he entered the mines and was engaged in mining in California until the Fraser river excitement in 1858, when he started for those diggings, but came to the Sound in- stead. He worked in the Port Ludlow logging camp for nine months, and in other camps for six years. He then joined with the Wokl brothers in the purchase of 160 acres of land, of a Mr. Welch, Mr. Jones advancing $500. Subsequently he located a pre-emption claim adjoining this tract, and here he has sinee resided.

Mr. Jones was married in 1882, to Mary An- derson, a native of Norway. Their children are: Lena, Herman, Joseph, Jacob, Samnel and Emma.

A RCHIBALD McMILLAN, late a resi- dent of Puyallup, Pierce county, Wash- ington, was born in Abbeville, South Carolina, January 7, 1810. His father A. MeMillan, Sr., was a native of Ireland, born in 1761, and his mother, whose maiden name was Mary Scott, was born in Scotland in 1765. The senior McMillan was a tailor by trade.

The wife of our subject was a daughter of Alex. Alexander, of South Carolina. Her grandfather was born in Ireland, as also was her mother, whose maiden name was Sarah McDill. In 1820 Jane Alexander moved with her parents to Bethel, Wayne county, Indiana, they being among the pioneers of that county. While there she became acquainted with Archi- bald McMillan, and in 1834 they were united in marriage. They lived on a farm until April 3, 1852, on which date they started across the plains for the far West.

Out of the train of fifty wagons that started on the overland journey only four came through to The Dalles, the rest dropping out at differ- ent places on the road and going to their re- spective destinations. After reaching The Dalles, the McMillans and their party put their goods on a boat and came down the river to Salem, Oregon, where they remained during the winter. In March, 1853, they came to Wash- ington Territory and settled on Chambers' prairie in Thurston county. There they re-

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mained four years, when, the Indian war com- ing on, they were compelled to go to Port El- euma, where they remained one month. They then went back to their claim and from there to Fort Eaton. Mr. McMillan was one of the volunteers who went out to subdue the Indians, meanwhile leaving his wife at the fort. Not- withstanding the danger that menaced her on every side, she went alone from the fort to her home every day to feed the stock and see that all was well.

After the elose of the war they lived on the farm uutil 1857, when they bought what was known as the Hayward .claim in Stuck valley, comprising 320 acres of land. Ou that property they lived for many years. Some time ago they sold the farm, bought property in Puyallup, where she still resides.

Faets worthy of note in connection with the biography of Mr. MeMillan are that he was the owner of the first carriage ever driven in Pierce county, and he was present at the hanging of the Indian Chief Leschi at Steilacoom.

Mr. and Mrs. McMillan had ten children. The oldest died while they were crossing the plains and was buried at Fort Laramie, and another one was murdered in 1885. Six are now living, as follows: C. C. McMillan, of White River, Washington; Mrs. Sarah Parker, of Sumner; Mrs. Jane Huson, Oregon; Mrs. Margaret Stewart, Puyallup; and Mrs. Lulu Finnigean, Tacoma.

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An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 108

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