An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 109

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 109

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Nine years ago Mr. and Mrs. McMillan cele- brated the golden anniversary of their marriage. Side by side they journed on life's pathway for nearly three-score years, happy in the society of each other and surrounded by hosts of warm friends. He died May 15, 1893.

G USTAVE JACOBSON came to Puget Sound in the spring of 1876, and the fol- lowing July located a traet of 160 acres on Samamish (or Sqnak) slough, near Woodinville, on the line of the Seattle, Lake Shore & Eastern Railroad. He secured title to this property under the homestead law. This tract is all bottom land and is desirably located, having the advantage of both rail and water for the transportation of its products.

Mr. Jacobson was born in Norway, February 15, 1845, and dates his arrival in America in

1872. He spent two years in California, just previous to his coming to Washington. Ile was married November 22, 1868, to Anna Hamra, also a native of Norway. The names of their children are: Jacob, Mary, Andrew, Clara, Edwin, and Sarah. Mary is the wife of a Mr. Mullen. Two of the children are deceased.

A NDREW WOODS, one of the able ex- pounders of law in the Seattle bar, was born in Winchester, Massachusetts, De- cember 29, 1854. His earliest ancestor in America was Samnel Woods, of England, who emigrated to New England during the Puritan revolution, and was one of the original proprietors and first settlers of the town of Groton, Massachusetts, which was laid out in 1656. The eleven-acre right, or grant of land, given to Samuel Woods now forms part of the center of the town. Major Henry Woods, a descendant, was in command of men from the towns of Shirley and Pepperill at the battle of Bunker Hill, and subsequently became General of of the Massachusetts militia. Sylvanus Woods, a relative, captured the first British prisoner of the Revolutionary war, near Lexington.

The parents of our subject were Jonas Woods, born at Groton, Massachusetts, in 1806, and Nancy (Hill) Woods, born at Stoneham, Massa- chusetts, in 1812. Her ancestors were James Hill, one of the earliest settlers in the town of Stoneham, Massachusetts, a few miles from Boston, and Rev. Zachariah Symmes, who came to Massachusetts about 1634, and was settled as pastor in Charlestown, taking up land which subsequently became part of the town of Winchester, Massachusetts, about eight miles north of Boston. A part of this land is still occupied by descendants of the Symmes family, of which family Benjamin Harrison, ex-Presi- dent of the United States, is a descendant.

These are all honored names in the early his- tory of New England, and furnished both brains and muscle for the aggrandizement of that world-famed country of the Eastern coast.

Andrew Woods received his early education at the public schools of Winchester, then, after one year with a private tutor, lie entered the academic department of Harvard College and graduated thereat in 1877 with the degree of A. B. Ile theu began teaching in the high

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.

school of Winchester as instructor in Latin and Greek, and tanght those branches until 1881, when he passed the supervisor's examination for teachers in Boston with signal honor. He then returned to Cambridge with a view of pre- paring for a professorship in history, in which study he had obtained marked distinction while in college. After one year of study his plans were changed and he entered the Harvard Law School, graduating with the degree of LL. B. in 1885. While in the law school he taught at intervals as substitute in the public schools of Boston, and from 1883 to 1885 he was a tutor and proctor in Harvard College.

In January, 1885, he was admitted to the Boston bar, and in 1886 to the New York bar, surpassing all applicants in the superiority of his examination in each place. After gradu- ating from the law school lie went to New York city and passed three years in offices of prom- inent corporation law firms,-two years of the time in the capacity of managing clerk.

In 1888 he took a prospecting tour through the West and along the Pacific coast, and after due consideration decided to locate in Seattle, which he accomplished in 1889. To get a knowledge of practice in Washington, he first entered the office of the distinguished law firm of Burke & Haller, which firin was dissolved in December, 1889, by the death of the lamented G. Morris Haller. Mr. Woods then remained with Judge Burke until September, 1890, when he became a partner with the organization of the firm of Burke, Shepard & Woods, which firm still exists as one of the representative law associations of the city. The firm are attorneys for the Great Northern Railway Company, Mr. Woods giving particular attention to right-of- way matters, condemnation and other railway cases, and to suits in admiralty. Ile is a man of keen judgment and clear foresight, and, be- ing a close student, is destined to rank with the foremost in the legal profession of the North- west.

C APTAIN N. L. ROGERS, one of the early sailing masters of Puget Sound, was born in Bath, Maine, April 10, 1837. IIis paternal ancestors were lineal descendants of John Rogers, of Smithfield, the martyr who was burned at the stake during the reign of Bloody Mary about 1550. The parents of our

subject, Noah and Harriet (IIodgkins) Rogers, were natives of Maine and Massachusetts, re- spectively, descended from Puritan stock. Dur- ing the palmy days of ship-building in Bath, W. M. Rogers, uncle of our subject, was ex- tensively engaged in that industry, which is continued by his son at the present time.

Nathaniel L. Rogers attended the high school of Bath until his fifteenth year, when he be- came desirons of seeing the world through the channels of the high sea, and he shipped as common sailor in the European trade, sailing from ports in the United States and Canada to ports on the Mediterranean sea, France, Eng- land, Germany, Scotland, Wales and the West Indies. He advanced so rapidly in the science of navigation that, three years later, he was taken from the forecastle and promoted to the position of third mate of the Bath ship Lizzie Harwood while lying in the port of Havre, France, and the following year became second mate, in which capacity he sailed three years. In 1859 he shipped before the mast from Bath on the brig Sheet Anchor for San Francisco, California, arriving in June, 1860. He then shipped as first mate on the ship Amethyst, in the coal trade, running between Sehome, Bell- ingham bay, and San Francisco. He held this position for a period of about ten months, then shipped as first mate on the bark Daniel Web- ster and sailed for Shanghai, China, thence to Tien-Tsin on the P'ei-IFo river, China, back to Shanghai, thence to Kanagawa, Japan, where the vessel was sold to the Japanese govern- ment, our subject returning to San Francisco as passenger on the ship Carrington, arriving at his destination in December, 1861. He then shipped as mate on the tug-boat Fearless, towing vessels over the bar at Coos bay, Oregon. In- the spring of 1862 the excitement of the Salmon river mines in Idaho broke out, and, with three others, he packed two horses and spent six months prospecting and mining. Not being successful, they made their way back to San Francisco, arriving in October, one of the three having lost his life by the capsizing of the boat in the rapids of Snake river. Captain Rogers then again entered the coal and lumber trade of Puget Sound, continuing until the following summer, when he shipped as sailing master on the pilot boat Daniel Webster, owned by four pilots, and with them on board sailed for Shanghai, China, to enter into the pilot busi- ness from the mouth of the Yang-tse-Kiang

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.

river to Shanghai. Captain Rogers left the boat at Shanghai, and for a few months was employed as inspector of eustoms in the Chinese enstomhouse, at that time conducted by the English. Cholera then broke out with its most terrible ravages, hundreds dying daily, and, to get out of the country, the Captain secured passage on the old ship John Jay. Disagree- ment subsequently arose between the officers and passengers, and the latter assumned eom- mand and obliged the Captain to make the port of Yokohama, Japan. The American consul took the captain and mate off' of the ship and appointed another eaptain and mate, our subject being'ehosen as inenmbent in the latter ea- pacity. The boat then continued its way to San Francisco. Of the original number who left Puget Sound on the pilot boat only two be- sides Captain Rogers returned alive. After reaching San Franeiseo he left the sea for the mines at Virginia City, Nevada, and, after a short but disastrous experience in mining and dabbling in stoeks, lost all his savings and once more returned to San Franeiseo and his legiti- mate occupation on the sea. In 1864 he en- tered the employ of Captain Renton as captain of the bark Nahumkeag, and later of the barks Huntsville, Scotland and Oak Ilill-all sailing between l'uget Sound and San Francisco. In 1868 Captain Rogers shipped as master on the steamship George S. Wright, owned by Jacob Hamm, of Portland, Oregon, the boat running between Portland and Puget Sound and British Columbia ports. In 1869 Ben Holliday bought the ship, and Captain Rogers was then trans- ferred to the steamers Gussie Telfair and Cali- fornia, running over the same ronte. In 1870 Ben Holliday seenred the mail contract between Portland and Sitka, Alaska, and Captain Rogers was then transferred to that ronte, which he sailed for about two years. In the latter part of 1872 he again left the sea, and, in partner- ship with John Nation, started a brass foundry, which was operated for one year and then burned ont, entailing a total loss of stoek and machinery. He then made a voyage as mate on the bark Garibaldi, going to China and Japan, and then back to Portland, where he arrived after an absence of nearly one year. He then went to San Francisco and took charge of the ship Enoch Talbot, which he sailed in the eoasting trade until August, 1875; then left the ship in San Francisco and came to Seattle, where he has sinee resided. Ile was master and

pilot of several passenger steamers and towboats, and part owner of two nntil 1885, when he be- eame associated with Mr. D. E. Durie in the prodnee, feed and commission business. On the 6th of June, 1889, by the great fire in Se- attle the business was completely wiped out. In July, 1889, Captain Rogers was appointed Harbor Master of the port at Seattle, which po- sition he held until the change of eity govern- ment in November, 1892, when he was sue- eeeded, and since then has not engaged in business. In 1879 he bought property on the corner of Third and Lenora streets, which he has improved and there resides.

He was married in Portland, in 1870, to Miss Julia M. Nation, who died November 22, 1889, leaving two sons: Frank and Henry. The Cap- tain was again married in Seattle, in 1891, to Mrs. Ida E. (Gray) Schaar, a native of New York. Socially, the Captain affiliates with the K. of P. and the American Association of Steamboat Masters and Pilots.

J OHN FREDERICK SCHEUCHZER was born in Zurich eanton. Switzerland, Sep- tember 2, 1854, son of Sigmund and Anna (Lee) Seheuchzer. In 1872 he left home, went to Germany, and there entered upon an appren- tieeship to the trade of upholsterer. He de- voted two years to learning the trade. During this time he had to support himself, which he did by working after regular hours. It was in the contract that he was to pay 200 marks to the party of whom he learned the trade, in order to do which he remained there still another year. He then became a member of the Upholsterer's Guild, and under its direction he traveled from city to city until all the principal eities of Eu- rope had been visited, working at his trade wherever he stopped. April 1, 1880, he arrived in New York city, whenee he eame west to Chi- eago, where he worked at his trade for six months. The following eighteen months were spent in St. Louis, and at various points in Colorado and Arizona, where he pursued various eallings. From Arizona he direeted his course into Lower California, but remained there only a short time, and then came north to California, where for nine months he worked in the borax fields. After that he spent a brief time in San Francisco, and from there came to Seattle, Washington, landing at the latter place on Christmas Day of 1883.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.

He remained in Seattle three months. The first work he did there was to help to grade Front street. Then he came to Snoqualmie prairie and located a ranch, but he abandoned it not long after, and paid $25 for another man's right to the ranchi on which he now lives. He proved np on this claim under the homestead law in 1890.

Mr. Scheuchzer was married March 20, 1889, to Mrs. Addelle (Seitz) Pike, a native of Mis- souri, a widow with two children, Ella Frances and John Taylor, aged ten and eight years re- spectively. Mr. and Mrs. Scheuchzer have two children: Carry Anna, born December 19, 1890; and Charles Frederick, November 20, 1892. Mr. Scheuchzer built his elegant residence on the headwaters of the Snoqualmie river, and it is located in the midst of magnificent mountain scenery which will compare favorably with that of his native land.

B J. GANO, a farmer of Klickitat county, was born in Virginia, in August, 1833, a son of Stephen and Mary Gano, natives of Virginia and Maryland, respectively. The parents spent a portion of their lives in Illinois, and afterward removed to Missouri, where they subsequently died.

B. J. Gano, our subject, spent his early life in Illinois and Missouri, but the West and par- tienlarly the Pacific coast offered greater oppor- tunities for an ambitious mind. Accordingly, in 1875, he crossed the plains to California, where he remained several years. He then came further north, was one of the first settlers of Klickitat county, Washington, where he first took a homestead of 160 acres, but has since added to the original purchase until he now owns 320 acres of well improved land, located three miles from the county seat, Goldendale. Dur- ing the last year the corn and wheat on this place averaged twenty and twenty-five bushels per acre, respectively, and he also raises a va- riety of fruits and vegetables.

Mr. Gano was married in Illinois, in 1854, to Miss Clarinda Hoffman, a native of that State and a daughter of John and Amelia (Boyle) Hoffman, natives of Kentucky, who afterward moved to Illinois, where they subsequently died. To this union have been born six children: Ame- lia Maddux, Mary E. O'Neil, Lanra E., George B., Toinette McLeod and Edmonia Stith. Mr.

Gano takes an active interest in political mat- ters, voting the Democratic party. He is also active in school matters, has held the office of Clerk and Director, and has also served as Road Supervisor many times.

COLVIN, a prosperous farmer and stock- raiser of Thurston county, Washington, re- siding near Tenino and widely known as a liberal-minded and public-spirited citizen, was born in Boone county, Missouri, December 14; 1829. His father, Benjamin Colvin, was a na- tive of Culpeper, Virginia, whence he afterward removed to Boone county, Missouri, where he grew to manhood and married Sophie McBain of the latter place.

The subject of this sketch resided with his parents on a farm until he was twenty years of age. He then, in the spring of 1849, started westward, going first to Fort Leavenworth, Kan- sas, where he was engaged by the United States Government to drive a commissary wagon be- tween Forts Leavenworth, Hall and Vancouver. He made but one trip, however, for after re- maining two weeks in the last mentioned place he drew his salary and crossed the Columbia river. Here he went to work at making shin- gles, for $90 a month, at which he continued until 1850, when he started for Olympia. He came up the Cowlitz river to the landing and there hired a horse and guide from the Iludson's Bay Company, and proceeded to New Market, now Tumwater. He there secured employment from a sawmill company, for whom he worked in the woods for two years, at entting piles.

At the end of this time, in company with Jesse Ferguson and others, he started on a pros- pecting tour to Queen Charlotte's island, where they were wrecked and captured by the Indians, and after fifty-four days in bondage were ran- somed by the United States Government and brought back to Olympia. After this, a second expedition was made by the subject of this sketch and others, as formerly, in search of gold, but they were again unsuccessful, remaining but six months on the island, when they returned to Tumwater. Mr. Colvin was then employed in a sawmill until 1854, when he went to Grand Mound Prairie and settled on a donation claim of 320 acres, on which he lived until the out- break of the Indian war, in 1855.

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At this time he joined the volunteers under Captain C. Eaton, and was one of the party who brought back the dead and wounded to Šteila- coom from the place of massacre by the Indians, among the unfortunate victims being J. McCal- lister.

On the disbandment of the volunteers, Mr. Colvin returned to his farm, where he eontinned uninterruptedly until 1863, at which time he made a trip to Salmon river mines, remaining there, however, but a few months, when he again returned to his claim and began farming and stoek-raising on a large scale. He has a nnm- ber of costly buildings and a great many head of cattle besides other valuable stock, and is classed among the successful stock-raisers of the county. Ile owns three large farms in Lewis county, besides his home place of 3,000 acres, being altogether one of the largest land-holders in his vicinity. Nor is this prosperity be- grudged him by his neighbors, by whom he is justly regarded as a hard working and enterpris- ing man, generous in his assistance to others and taking a commendable interest in his com- munity, to the welfare of which he liberally contributes.

In October, 1866, Mr. Colvin was married to Mrs. George Rector, whose maiden name was Emma Peck, and who was born in Illinois. Her father, Washington Peck, was born in Massa- chusetts, in 1801, while her mother, nee Mary Wilcox, was a native of Nova Scotia, born No- vember 27, 1806. With her parents, she has led a cosmopolitan life, living at different times in Wisconsin, various portions of Canada, in Missouri, New Mexico, and finally settling in Lewis county, Washington. She was first mar- ried in 1859, to George Rector, and they had three children. She afterward seenred a divorce from him, and in 1866 was married to Mr. Col- vin, and by her second marriage has four chil- dren: Ben Colvin, of Lewis county; Nellie G., Sadie J. and Fred A., at home. The family enjoys high social standing in the community in which Mr. Colvin is a representative citizen.

J (OHIN F. GOWEY, vice-president of the First National Bank of Olympia, Wash- ington, and a progressive, publie-spirited citizen, was born in North Lewisburg, Ohio, December 7, 1846. IIe traces his descent from

one of the first of those who emigrated from Ainsterdam, Ilolland, to this country, this an- eestor having arrived about 1650, and settled in Beaverwick, now Albany, New York. The family name was originally spelled " Goewey," but the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, John Gowey, dropped the superfluons " e," this change being adopted about the year 1800. Ilis paternal ancestors were land-holders and thrifty agrieulturists. The first American representa- tive of the maternal ancestry was Isaac Willey, of Wilshire, England, who emigrated to this country in 1640, first settling in Boston, and being one of the men who went with John Winthrop, Jr., and settled at New London, Connecticut, in the year 1645. During the Revolutionary war Abraham Willey, the great- great-grandfather of onr subject, was a private under his brother, Captain Jehn Willey, in the First Company of the Fourth Battalion, which was commanded by Colonel Joseph Spencer. Abraham was one of that memorable Lexington Relief Corps, numbering forty-three men, who marched from East Haddam, Connecticut, to Boston, during the Lexington campaign. The family were prominently connected with the early colonial, and later State, organizations, being ably represented in the various professions of the ministry, law and literature. Hartland D. Gowey, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Nelson, New York, in 1821, but removed to Ohio in boyhood. He there secured a classical education and began teaching in Knox county, that State, at the early age of sixteen years. He was married at Delaware, in. the Buckeye State, February 11, 1846, to Miss Elisa A. Willey, an intelligent and accomplished lady, who was born in Worthington, Ohio, in 1824. After marriage they settled at North Lewisburg, where Mr. Gowey engaged in civil engineering and the mercantile business. 1Ie was appointed Postmaster in 1852 by President Franklin Pieree, and held that office continu- onsly until 1885, a period of thirty three years. In 1892, when seventy-one years of age, he was elected Mayor of the city of North Lewisburg without an opposing candidate. Mr. and Mrs. Gowey had three children, two of whom lived to maturity: John F. and Marens C., the latter now a prominent attorney of North Lewisburg.

John F. Gowey, whose name heads this sketch, received his preliminary education in his native town, which was supplemented by a course of studies at the Ohio Wesleyan University, but

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owing to failing health he did not graduate. In 1867 he began reading law with General John HI. Young, of Urbana, Ohio, and was admitted to the bar May 10, 1869. He commenced his practice at Woodstock, Ohio, whence he re- turned to Urbana in 1875, and became a member of the law firm of Young, Chance & Gowey. In 1868 Mr. Gowey was elected Clerk of the Board of Rush township, which office he held for seven years. He was elected to the Legis- lature for the short term in 1873, and re-elected in 1874 for two years. In 1876 he was elected Prosecuting Attorney of Champaign county, to which position he was re-elected in 1878, serv- ing for four years thereafter. He was elected a delegate to the National Republican Conven- tion at Chicago in 1880, and helped to nominate General James A. Garfield for President. He was also a member of the State Central Com- mittee. In 1882 he was appointed by President Chester A. Arthur Register of the Land Office at Olympia, Washington Territory, which ap- pointment was confirmed by the Senate. În June of that year he removed to his new field of labor, and served in the capacity named until August 1, 1886, when he resumed the practice of law. In September, 1887, he retired from practice to accept the position of President of the First National Bank of Olympia, in which position he continned with credit to himself and satisfaction to his associates until his resigna- tion in October, 1890. He, however, was not permitted to sever his connection with an office which he had filled so ably, but was elected vice-president of the bank in April, 1891, which position he still retains. ITis reputation for honor and business integrity, together with his well-known financial ability and general ex- cellence of character, have contributed to inspire in the community confidence in the bank with which he is connected, to which fact much of its merited prosperity is attributable.

The people of Washington have vied with those of Ohio in electing him to prominent po- sitions of trust. In the fall of 1886 he was elected to the upper house (Council) of the Territorial Legislature, serving through the ses- sions of 1887 and 1888. In 1889 he was Judge Advocate General, with the rank of Colonel, ou the staff of Miles C. Moore, Governor of the Territory, and at the same time was elected Mayor of the city of Olympia, to which latter office he was re-elected in Jannary, 1890, with- ont an opposing candidate, that being a kind of

hereditary characteristic of the family. IIe was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1889, and was elected Chairman of the Re- publican State Committee during the first State campaign. In 1890 he was appointed Regent of the State University by Governor Elisha P. Ferry. In August, 1890, he was appointed by President Harrison and confirmed by the Sen- ate as Consul-General to Japan, but, owing to the condition of his health, he was unable to go to his post of duty and resigned in January, 1890.

Mr. Gowey was first married at Woodstock, Ohio, April 25, 1867, to Miss Clara, daughter of George and Rachel McDonald, and they had one son, Frank McDonald. His second mar- riage was consummated with Miss Georgiana Stevens (daughter of Dearborn and Olive B. Stevens), whom he married in Olympia, Wash- ington.

Fraternally, Mr. Gowey is a Freemason, hav- ing received the thirty-third degree, Scottish rite, and is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution.

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An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 109

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