An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 110

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 110

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Those who have followed thus far the record of Mr. Gowey's life will readily deduce correct conclusions as to his worth of character and business ability, which have not only gained for himself financial prosperity and universal es- teem, but have contributed materially to the growth and welfare of his community, and, in- cidentally, the State at large.

J AMES REWELLING WOOD, a Wash- ington pioneer, now living in retirement in Olympia, enjoying that ease and com- fort which is the reward of his early labors and hardships in a new country, is a native of the extreme East, having been born at Duchess county, in the town of Ileuston, New York, a small town situated ten miles from Poughkeep- sie. His parents, Isaac and Catharine (Babcock) Wood, afterward removed to Otsego county, the same State, and a few years later to Canajoharie, Montgomery county, where they lived until 1841, the father being employed at his trades of cooper and brewer. They then removed to Utica, Michigan, where the father of the subject of this sketch became the owner of a sawmill, which he operated, in connection with the coop- ering business, assisted by his son James.

653

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.

When about twenty-one years of age, James Wood, of this notice, was married, May 19, 1847, to Delia Smith, of Utica, Michigan. He left home and went farther west, to Walworth county, Wisconsin, where he resided until August, 1848, at which time be removed to Kenosha, Racine county, where he remained until April of the following year, when, leaving his wite with his mother, he and his father started for the gold fields of California, about which there was then such great excitement. On the way across the plains, they stopped in Wyoming and the Black Hills, to prospect, going thence to Colorado, in which Territory they camped, July 4, 1849, at Greenhorn, twenty-seven miles from Pueblo.

Thence they continued their way southward, via the Raton mountains, passing through Las Vegas and Socorro, New Mexico, along the trail made by Lieutenant Cook, during the Mexican war, thence through Santa Cruz, old Mexico, Tucson, Arizona, San Diego and Los Angeles, California, finding in the latter place a solitary frame building. On Christmas Eve, 1849, they arrived at Santa Ana, the latter State. In March, 1850, they started from San Pedro, Cal- ifornia, in a vessel for San Francisco, at which latter place they arrived March 12, 1850. Thence they proceeded to a mining town, twenty miles inland, where they worked at mining and butchering until 1851, when they started for Astoria, Oregon, going thence to the coast, ar- riving in Olympia in December, 1851. Shortly afterward, James Wood took a donation claim of 160 acres in Thurston county, Washington. In 1852 and 1853 he worked at coopering, and later as a general contractor in Olympia, until 1855, the time of the outbreak of the Indian war. He then, in response to a requisition by Governor Stevens, joined Company B, serving under Captain Hays and Lieutenant J. Hurd until the close of the war, after which he re- turned to Olympia, and resumed his work as contractor and builder.

His first wife having died in the East shortly after his departure to the mines, he was re-mar- ried, in February, 1859, to his present wite, Elizabeth Pullen, a widow with two children: James E. and Annie J. He and his wife have two children: Oscar and Addie.

In 1861, the subject of this sketch, in com- pany with his father, built a brewery in Olym- pia, which they successfully operated for twenty years. Mr. James Wood then sold out his

interest and bought a farm not far from town, but, later, tiring of that, he again sold out and returned once more to his favorite city of Olym- pia, which he has ever since made his home, living retired from active business, finding in the society of his family and that of his numer- ous friends a sufficient recom pense for his many years of hardship and labor.

E MANUEL NEILSON, a resident of Woodinville, King county, Washington, is another one of the prosperous men of this vicinity whose native place is Norway. He was born April 16, 1840. In 1870 he came to America, and first located in Chicago, where he worked at his trade, that of ship carpenter, four years, having learned this trade in the old country.

Mr. Neilson dates his arrival in the Sound country in August, 1874, having come hither by way of San Francisco. During the first two months after his arrival here he was in the em- ploy of Mr. IIall, in the Port Ludlow shipyard. Then he went to Port Blakely, where he re- mained until January, 1876. At that time he came to Seattle. He continued working at his trade until June 24, of that year, when he lo- cated a ranch on Samamish (or Squak) slough, near Woodinville. At the time he located this claim the land here was all claimed by the Northern Pacific Railroad Company, but later it was declared Government land, and Mr. Neil- son then entered a pre-emption. He finally secured title to his place under the homestead law. He has cleared fifteen acres of the land, and has it under cultivation. He also owns the hotel in Woodinville.

Mr. Neilson was married May 17, 1860, to Gnerte Eugebresen, a native of Norway. Their only child is Boelete Jaderholm.

OIIN E. BUNKER, another one of the successful men of Lewis county, Washing- ton, dates his birth in Caledonia county, Vermont, in 1841. He lived there until he was thirteen years of age, when he moved with his parents to Farmington, Minnesota. Three years later they moved to Page county, Iowa,

654

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.

and the next year, 1860, went to Nevada, locat- ing at Carson City. After they had been there about three years, they moved on to Sacramento connty, California. After three years spent in Sacramento county, Mr. Bunker came to Wash- ington county, Oregon, and three years later to Lewis county, Washington, landing at the latter place in 1871. Here he has since lived and prospered.

Mr. Bunker married Jerusha I. Meloy, a native of Multnomah county, Oregon.

D R. JOHN COE KELLOGG, a Washing- ton pioneer of 1852, and now a resident of Seattle, was born in Starkey, Yates county, New York, October 11, 1820.

His ancestors settled in New England about 1700, and subsequently engaged in the mann- facture of woolen eloth at Great Barrington, Massachusetts, where Chester C. Kellogg, the father of our subject, was born. About 1800 he moved with his parents to Auburn, New York, then a town of three or four frame buildings, where his father built a small woolen factory and dye honse, and there Chester C. learned the trade. In 1815 he went to Starkey and bought an interest in a mill, and subse- quently married Miss Martha Coe, a native of Conneetient. Continuing his saw and woolen mills nntil 1833, his property was destroyed by flood and fire, and in 1835 he removed to Huron county, Ohio, and engaged in farming and there passed the rest of his life.

John C. was educated in the public schools of Starkey and at the Milan Seminary at Huron, attending to farm duties when not engaged in study. Having spent his boyhood in his father's mills and having a liking for machinery, his desires turned later in that direction, and in 1840 he went to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, to learn the trade of machinist. After six months in a shop, he boarded a steamboat running to New Orleans, working in the machine depart- ment. At New Orleans, in 1842, he shipped with Raphael Semmes-the notorious block- ade runner of the Civil war and of steamship " Alabama " fame-on board the United States steamer " Pointset," in the engineer department, the vessel being engaged in the survey of the Florida coast, with headquarters at Pen- sacola. During the excitement of annex-

ing Texas to the United States they carried Waddy Thompson from l'ensacola to Vera Cruz with important dispatches to Santa Ana, the President of Mexico, who then proclaimed that if Texas were annexed war would be declared against the Republic of Mexico, which led up to the war of 1846.

Having contracted malaria along the southern coast, young Kellogg returned to his old home in Ohio in 1845, and while being treated he be- came interested and engaged in the study of medicine, which he pursued in the office of Dr. John Sayles, an eclectic practitioner in Berlin; and, later, attended a course of lectures at the homeopathic college in Cleveland. In 1848 he went to Hillsdale connty, Michigan, for his health, engaging in the sawmill business and continuing the study of medicine. In 1850 he returned to Berlin and, after another course of leetures in Cleveland, entered into practice with Dr. Sayles. Removing to Concord, Michigan, he there followed his profession until the spring of 1852.

At that time, because of continued ill health and severity of climate, he decided to come to the Puget Sound country, about which he had heard and read innch. Arrangements were then perfected and in April he started with his wife and family across the plains, with two wagons, six yoke of oxen and some loose cattle. The train numbered abont sixteen wagons and forty people, under the command of James Olds, who had crossed the plains in 1851. Much siekness was experienced npon the journey and they made freqnent stoppages to relieve the afflicted. The Doctor started ont with a large stock of medieine, which stood him in good stead, and by his skillful treatment in malaria and typhoid cases there was but one death in his company. As the journey progressed they were frequently annoyed by the insults and depredations from the reckless and irresponsible young men who were trying to beg and steal transportation. These troubles came to a climax at Salmon Falls, on Snake river, where William Pierce, a repu- table emigrant, was shot by one Donahoo. The latter was suspected, arrested, tried and convicted to be shot, after which he confessed the crime. He was then taken to the body of his vietim. Six guns were loaded, a part with blank eart- ridges,-six men were selected to fire them, the murderer was killed, and both he and his victim were buried in the same grave! This treatment produced a salutary effect, and thereafter the

655

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.

young men were respectful and orderly. Duly arriving at the Dalles, they proceeded by the river to the Cascades and were there caught in a snow storm, remaining for three weeks in tents, while all their animals died from expos- ure and starvation. The journey was then con- tinued by flat boats to Vancouver, arriving in November, 1852, nearly eight months after the date of starting. Captain U. S. Grant, after- ward President of the United States, was then in command at Vancouver.

Dr. Kellogg had made such a reputation by his skillful practice upon the plains that he was offered $4 per mile for fees if he would attend the sick of the locality, and he followed his pro- fession during the winter. In the spring of 1853 he joined a small company, dug out a canoe, and, leaving his family provided for, started for Whidby island, Puget Sound, by the Columbia and Cowlitz rivers. Arriving at Olympia and learning of the Indian troubles further north, he decided to locate on South bay, near Olympia, and sent for his family. Be- fore filing his elaim, he learned of the fertility of the Whidby island, went up to look over the country, and in the fall of 1853 moved his family to that point and located his donation elaim, 320 acres. September 22, 1853, he set the first stakes for his cabin by the setting sun on what is now known as Admiralty Ilead, where the lighthouse now stands. He then en- gaged in farming, and by circumstances was forced into the practice of medicine and surgery, which he followed very successfully for a num- ber of years. During the Indian troubles of 1855 many depredations were committed and luis life was threatened; so he removed his family to Port Gamble, where he continued his prac- tice, returning to the island after peace was de- clared. In 1870 he moved to Seattle to educate his children, and since then has traveled back and forth as circumstances directed. His farm has been inereased by purchase to 360 acres, and is now managed by his son, Albert II. The soil is very productive, averaging thirty-three bushels of wheat to the acre, and about 250 bushels of potatoes.

He was married in Litchfield, Hillsdale county, Michigan, in 1849, to Miss Caroline Terry, a native of New York, who died in Jan- mary, 1891. They had four children, two of whom survive, Albert II. and Alice, the latter being the wife of R. II. Denny, of the banking house of Dexter, Horton & Co.

Dr. Kellogg is a Republican in politics, and besides filling several of the county offices served one term in the Territorial Legislature and was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1889. He is a man of genial disposition and sound judgment, and enjoys the confidence and respect of a large circle of friends and acquaint- ances.

HE STEAMER FLYER .- This is the fastest vessel that plies the water of Puget Sound, and is considered the peer, in point of speed, of any steamer on the Pacific coast.

She began her trips in the interest of the Columbia River and Puget Sound Navigation Company, in 1891. The first man to command her in Puget Sound waters was Captain Harry Struve. After a few months the boat was laid off, but on May 14, 1892, she resumed her trips, under command of Captain John Jordi- son, the present commander. While lying in the dock at Seattle, June 14, 1892, she eaught fire and burned down to the deck; was rebuilt, however, and. by September 10, 1892, was again in running order. Since that date the boat bas been in regular operation between Tacoma and Seattle, a distance of twenty-seven and a half iniles, making a number of trips each day, and each trip requiring only an hour and thirty minutes. The docking of this vessel at these two cities is on schedule time, being as regular as any passenger train on a well-regulated rail- road. This punctuality is accounted for by the fact that the boat is manned in its every depart- ment by picked men; but the machinery, of course, has much to do with her work. The engines were built by the Naefie & Leery Com- pany, of l'hiladelphia, Pennsylvania, and are of the triple-expansion type, of recent design, con- sisting of one high-pressure cylinder, twenty- one inehes in diameter, one intermediate cylin- der, thirty-three inches, and one low-pressure cylinder, fifty-four inches, with a common stroke of thirty inches. The wheel is of manganese bronze, eleven feet in diameter, and having a piteh of sixteen and a half feet. The engines at full power indicate 1, 735 horse-power. Steam is supplied by one boiler of the locomotive type, which has a grate surface of 100 feet and a heating surface of 4,700 feet. It steams with a natural draught. Wood is the fuel used.

656

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.

The officers of the Flyer are as follows: Cap- tain, John Jordison; pilot, Harry Carter; first officer, Isaac Ellison; chief engineer, Samuel Sutton; first assistant engineer, Mr. Short; purser, A. J. Taylor; and steward, Mr. Knox.

Captain John Jordison was born in York- shire, England, and was reared in Sunderland, county of Durham. He went to sea at the age of nine years; at twelve was apprenticed on the ship Athelbut; went to San Francisco, and thence to Bunow's inlet; was five or six years in deep-sea sailing, all over the world; came into Puget Sound service in 1876, and has since continued here. He was in succession captain of the following boats: Maggie, George E. Starr, Hassło, Emma Ilayward, Sehome, North Pa- cific, Olympia, Bailey Gatzert, Idaho, Bailey Gatzert again, Fleetwood, and finally of the splendid Flyer. The first named in this list was a schooner, all the rest being steamers. Captain Jordison is a member of the American Brotherhood of Steamboat Pilots, and is con- sidered one of the ablest commanders on the Pacific coast.

Captain Harry Carter, pilot of the Flyer, was born near Kingston, New Brunswick, and was reared at Lockhaven, Pennsylvania. He spent one year in Wisconsin, then came to Puget Sound, and became a deck hand on the Alida, following with similar service on several boats. Subsequently he was made watchman, and finally became mate on the George E. Starr. In the capacity of mate he served in Puget Sonnd and Columbia river waters on the following vessels: North Pacific, Idaho, Emma Hayward, Hasslo, State of Washington, T. J. Potter and Sehome. On the last named vessel he first became pilot, qualifying in 1886; later served as such on the Skagit Chief, Fair Haven (of which he became captain, serving until he was laid up), North Pacific, Mollie Bleaker, State of Washington, Bailey Gatzert, and since September 14, 1892, has been pilot on the Flyer. He is also captain of the Fleetwood, the Sunday boat. He be- longs to Puget Sound Harbor, No. 16, Ameri- can Brotherhood of Steamboat Pilots, Seattle.

Isaac Ellison, first officer of the Flyer, is a native of Liverpool, England, born in 1848, and reared there. Since 1862 he has been identified with navigation. He came to San Francisco on the Ellen Norton in 1863, and steamboated on the river to Sacramento on the Chrysopholis; for some time he ran in the coast trade, on the side-wheeler California, to Mexico, and on the

old Corneilian and P'anl Pry, to Stockton; and to Sacramento on the Chrysopholis, Amador, Yosemite and Capitol. In 1867 he went to Oregon, and thence, on the John L. Stephens, to Sitka with the United States soldiers, where he witnessed the raising of the American flag over Alaska. He navigated the Oregon river, making a few trips to Alaska on the George S. Wright, Little California, and Gussie Telfair; ran on the Oregon Steam Navigation Company's boats, Couch, Julia, Okanagom, Fannie Throop, Dixie Thompson, R. R. Thompson, Mountain Queen, Little Idaho, Governor Grover, Yakima, Wide West, Reed, Hayward, Willamette Chief, and others. During that time he was off and on between the Sound and Columbia river and San Francisco. Hle has been continuously on the Sound since 1882, and has served as mate on the George E. Starr, North Pacific, T. J. Potter, Hayward, Hasslo, Sehome, City of Seat- tle, State of Washington, Skagit Chief, Fair Haven, Fannie Lake, Olympia, Idaho, Quincy, Anderson, Little Washington, and since Sep- tember 2, 1892, he has been in his present posi- tion on the Flyer. He has navigated the Pa- cific coast waters from Cape Horn to Alaska.

Samuel Sutton, chief engineer of the Flyer, came to the Pacific coast in 1883, from the ship-building firm of John Roach & Sons, Ches- ter, Pennsylvania. He has since been employed by the Pacific Mail and Pacific Coast Steamship Companies as first assistant engineer, and later by the Oregon Improvement Company as chief engineer. After the loss of the steamship East- ern Oregon, he was appointed by the Columbia River and Puget Sound Navigation Company to be chief engineer of the steamer Flyer. Mr. Sutton is recognized by his fellow-officers and employers as having no superior in his line on the Pacific coast. His practical education covers a wide range, from the manufacture of the machinery to the handling of every portion of it, and his love for reading on the subject has given him a fine technical knowledge of his profession.

Mr. Sutton is ably assisted by Thomas Short, an efficient engineer and machinist.

A. J. Taylor, the purser of the Flyer, was born at Newtown, Connecticut, May 16, 1858, and is a son of Alonzo and Elizabeth (Mantz) Taylor. He was reared there and received his education at Newtown Academy. After leaving school he clerked in a store in his native town, was subsequently employed in a similar capacity

657

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.

at Bridgeport, and in 1883 engaged in business for himself at Norwich, running a wholesale and retail book and stationery establishment, and also manufacturing blank books. In 1888 he sold out, and as commercial traveler was em- ployed by F. E. James & Co., New York, with whom he remained until July, 1891. The fol- lowing October he landed at Puget Sound. Ile fitted up the Flyer at Portland for the Sound service. Ile was purser on the Bailey Gatzert while waiting for the Flyer's arrival, and when the latter boat came up he became her purser. He has since remained purser, and has alternated between the Flyer and the Bailey Gatzert.

Mr. Knox, the steward of the Flyer, although still a young man, has had several years' experi- ence at sea, and has sailed all over the globe. Ile is especially fitted, both by nature and by training, for the steam boat service.

R ICHARD HYATT LANSDALE, M.D., of Olympia, Washington, is ranked with the Pacific coast pioneers of 1849.

He was born in Montgomery county, Maryland, December 23, 1811, son of Richard and Jemima (Ilyatt) Lansdale, natives of the same State, where their ancestors had long re- sided. Richard Lansdale was a carpenter by trade, but was chiefly engaged in the milling business. In 1816 he removed to Champaign county, Ohio, and built a flour mill, which he continued to operate the rest of his life.

Richard H. was left an orphan at the age of ten years, and was then placed with Roswell Sabin, M. D., of Troy, Ohio, who gave him a liberal education in the sciences, languages and medicine. He attended lectures at the Medical College of Cincinnati, a branch of the Miami University, and afterward commenced practice with Dr. Sabin, continuing with him until 1834, when he located at Warsaw, the county seat of Kosciusko county, Indiana. Dr. Lansdale was one of the pioneers of that town, helped to lay it out, and conducted a general practice there.

Ile was married at Troy, Ohio, in 1838, to Miss Mary Culbertson, and in 1840, on account of his wife's failing health, they left Warsaw and returned to Troy, where she died in 1841.

In 1843 Dr. Lansdale removed to Manmee City, Ohio, where lie resided until 1846, when

he decided to come to Oregon, which at that time embraced the entire Northwest. Reach- ing Mt. Carmel, Illinois, he there made a sojourn of one year, engaged in the practice of his pro- fession. Then he went to St. Joseph, Missouri, and there joined the Missouri battalion of mounted volunteers, which was sent to the frontier to relieve the " Mounted Rifles," during the latter's absence while participating in the Mexican war. The Doctor was paid off and dis- charged in the fall of 1848, and passed the winter at Fort Des Moines, Iowa. In the spring of 1849 he joined a California emigrant party and erossed the plains with ox teams, via Salt Lake City, to Sacramento, where they arrived in the fall. The gold mines offered no induce- ment to the Doctor, as his objective point was Oregon, and he proceeded by the first ship to San Francisco, thence by first ship to the Co- lumbia river, crossing the Columbia bar October 24, 1849. The headwaters of the Puget Sound being the Mecca of his pilgrimage, he proceeded up the river; but finding no guide at the mouth of the Cowlitz river he continued his journey to Portland, and thence to La Fayette, where he passed the winter. In Jannary, 1850, he crossed the Columbia river and bought 160 acres of land, and thereon platted the town of Vanconver, had a sale of lots, and opened an office for the practice of medicine. He was appointed Post- master, the first postmaster north of the Colum- bia river. He helped organize Clarke county, and was its first County Auditor. In Decem- ber, 1850, he started for the Sound country, and landed at Olympia in January, 185I, this city then being composed of only a very few houses. The Doctor continued his journey down the Sound, and took a claim of 320 acres of Whidby island, under the donation law. He located the town of Coveland, which became the county seat and which was subsequently changed to Coupeville. Ile helped organize Island county, and followed a general practice until 1854, when he was appointed Indian Agent by President Pierce, and held the office for six years.

In 1861 Government business called Dr. Lansdale to the East, whence he returned in the spring of 1862 and settled at The Dalles, Ore- gon, where he served as Clerk of the Cireuit Court for two years. Again he went East to make final settlement as Indian Agent, which settlement eventuated in his receiving over $10,000, the balance found due him. While attending to this settlement, he attended lectures

658

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.

in the medical department of the University of the City of New York, in which school he grad- nated in 1867.

Returning to Oregon, he practiced two years at Dayton, then went to Tacoma, Washington, and established himself in his profession. He also bought a land claim in King county. In 1873 he was appointed physician to the Skoho- mish Indians, remaining as such till 1876, when he returned to Olympia, and the following year built his present residence. In 1879 he was physician in charge at the Quinaiutt Indian agency, and served one year. Retiring from active practice in 1880, he has since devoted his time to the care of his property interests.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 110

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