An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 113

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

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inill site and erected a large flour mill, which was successfully managed until 1856. At this time, owing to failing health, Mr. Talcott retired to Pittsfield. During his convalescence he en- tered into partnership with I. G. Hodgkin and purchased the dry-goods store of James Kinney, which was continued until 1865. That year, through his extensive endorsement for a tobacco packer, Mr. Talcott lost heavily and sold out. He then entered into the grocery business and continued the same until 1872, when he closed ont his establishment and came to Olympia, Washington, to regain his health. Here he has since resided, retired from active business.

Mr. Talcott was married in Pittsfield, Illinois, in 1846, to Miss Ellen Noyes, who died in 1848, leaving one child, Fanny. In 1853 he married Miss Harriet Noyes, a member of the same family, who died June 25, 1890. By his last wife he had four children, three of whom are living: Charles R., George N. and Lucius Grant. These three brothers are engaged in the jewelry business at Olympia, the firm name be- ing Talcott Brothers. They own one of the old- est jewelry stores in the State, it having been established at an early day by Charles R.

Mr. Talcott is a member of the I. O. O. F. and Encampment. He has been an ardent Re- publican ever since the organization of that party.

C HARLES W. THOMAS, M. D .- A]- though the subject of this sketch is yet a young man and newly started in the med- ical profession he has met with a success that has exceeded his most sanguine expectations. There is no doubt that he will take a first place in the ranks of the medieal profession in a few years, when experience shall have been added to the knowledge gained at two of the best medi- cal institutions of learning in the United States. It is his intention to make surgery a specialty as he has a peculiar aptitude for this branch of the science. Dr. Thomas is a native of Linn county, Iowa, born April 6, 1867. When he was four years of age, his parents, Wallace B. and Rebecca (Cothern) Thomas, removed to the Territory of Washington, loeating on a farm in Walla Walla county, where our subject was reared, receiving a common-school education. The father was a native of Kentucky, who re- moved to Iowa when a young man. There he

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met and married the mother of our subject. In 1871, be removed his family to the coast as be- fore stated, and there he still resides. Of the seven children born to himself and wife, our subject was the third.

When our subject had progressed sufficiently he entered the Whitney College of Walla Walla, and at the age of twenty-two selected the pro- fession of medicine for his life calling. He therefore began the study of that science under Dr. Copp of Walla Walla, and in 1889 was fitted to enter the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, from there proceeding to the Kentucky School of Medicine, Louisville, Ken- tncky, from which he graduated. He then re- turned to the Jefferson College at Philadelphia, graduated from there and returned home with diplomas from two of the best medical colleges in this country. In order to be in perfect health when he began practice Dr. Thomas re- solved to spend the summer of 1892, in work upon his father's farin and soon found that medicine had not driven the love of farm life out of his being. During the long summer days while he drove the leader in the harvest he pondered upon the lectures and teachings of the learned professors under whose tuition he had been studying during the three years just pre- ceding, and it was with both mind and body re- freshed that he opened his modest office in the city of Walla Walla in the fall of the same year. Dr. Thomas displayed very good sense when he chose this city for his place of location, as he is among his old friends and acquaintances, who all take a lively interest in his welfare. All who know the talented young physician predict a brilliant future for him, and, to judge by the good practice he has already built up in so short a time, it is very reasonable to infer that their prophecies will be fulfilled.

K ENOS FARO BRANAM, farmer, near North Bend, has for a number of years been identified with the interests of the Sound country. Kenos Faro Branam was born in Pike county, Kentucky, September 24, 1849, son of Samuel and Milly (Ratlif) Branam. Samuel Branamn died when his son, our subject, was an infant, and the latter's mother died when he was sixteen. Young Branam then went to live with an uncle, John

H. Reynolds, his guardian, with whom he remained two years. Then he went to Jackson connty, Missouri, where he was engaged in farming until 1876. In May of that year, in company with a large train, he started over- land to this coast. As the party proceeded, it from time to time divided up until only three wagons were left to come through the mountains by way of Snoqualmie pass. Young Branam drove the team for this man. They reached Seattle in October, and our subject remained in that city for three years, variously employed. Then he went to Squak valley to manage a farm for Foss & Borst, and continued there for fifteen months. After that he crossed the mountains into Kittitass county, where he located a ranch, got ont logs to build a house, and then came back for his family. He was prevented, how- ever, from returning to his ranch on account of heavy fall of snow in the mountains, and he finally abandoned the claim. In 1881 he rented a tract of land from M. Manrice, which he cultivated until 1886. That year he came to his present place, and has since devoted his energies to clearing and improving it.

Mr. Branam was married December 24, 1871, to Lizzie Corn, a native of Missouri, who died in July, 1874, without issne. May 11, 1876, he married Elizabeth Scitze, a native of Iowa, who died Jannary 28, 1892. Following are his children by his second wife: Oscar, Annie, Ettie, Myrtle, Nora, Arthur and Elizabeth.

F RENCH BROTHERS-Frederick Will- iam and Albert Edward French compose the firm doing an extensive farming busi- ness in the Green River valley section. They have a large farm devoted to hops. The French family were old settlers in New York State, but the original location was at Elizabethtown, New Jersey, the ancestors being among the founders of that city. They are of Scottish extraction.

Zerah, the father of Frederick William and Albert Edward French, was born at Lake Cham- plain, New York, on March 22, 1825, his par- ents being George and Sarah (Freeman) French. He was reared in New York, and when about twenty-one years of age he removed to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he engaged in railroad contracting. In 1873, he went to San Bernar- dino, California, where he engaged in fruit cul-

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ture. Six years later he came to Washington and homesteaded the place, which now belongs to his estate, the place contains 109 acres, of which seventy-five acres are cleared, and in cultivation. He died on January 18, 1889, leaving four children, viz: Cicily Adelia, wife of N. B. Ilale, of San Bernardino, California; Alice Octavia, now Mrs. P. G. Drew, of San Bernardino; Frederick William, and Albert Edward.

Frederick William French was born on the Missouri river, in Dakota, October 15, 1866. He was educated in the different cities where he lived, and completed his education at the Seattle University, and has since engaged in farming with his brother. He was married on January 24, 1889, to Miss Fannie Lochridge, of Clayton county, Iowa. They have two chil- dren: Norman and Clarence.

Albert Edward French was born at Black Earth, Wisconsin, on July 20, 1869. Ile was educated at the common schools of the different cities in which he lived, and afterward at the Seattle (Washington) University. He has since graduation followed farming with his brother.

H ON. BAILEY GATZERT .- The loss of few noble men has been inore deeply de- plored by a community than that of the sub- ject of this sketch by Seattle, Washington. He was a pioneer merchant and banker of that city and for forty years connected with the mer- cantile interests of the Pacific coast. No one is more justly entitled to prominent mention in a history of his section of the country, in the af- fairs of which he played such a conspicnous part.

Mr. Gatzert was born December 29, 1829, in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, of which locality his ancestors had been residents for many gen- erations. He was educated in the schools of his native country, and, when twenty years of age, started out in life for himself, seeking a home and fortune on the free soil of America. His first occupation in the new world was as clerk in a general merchandise store at Natchez, Mis- sissippi, where he learned the English language and the business customs of America. In 1853, shortly after the discovery of gold in California, he went to that State, and like all immigrants of that time immediately went to the mines. He

realized but poor results, however, and soon tired of the laborious occupation of mining, whereupon he began clerking in Auburn, Cali- fornia, whence he went, in September, 1853, to Nevada City, the same State, where he clerked in a grocery until 1858. He then engaged in the same business for himself at that place, where he continued until January, 1861, when he returned to San Francisco. In the following April, he was married in the latter city to Miss Barbetta Schwabacher, and continued to reside there until September, 1862, when he removed to Portland, Oregon. Here, he became a part- ner in the firmn of Meerholz & Company, whole- sale grocers, who, in 1865, dissolved and closed ont their business. Mr. Gatzert then started a general merchandise store at Wallula, eastern Washington, and established a large forwarding trade to the mining districts. In 1869, he came to Seattle as partner and founder of the mer- cantile house of Schwabacher Brothers & Co., which carried a stock of general merchandise, hardware and agricultural implements, conduct- ing both a wholesale and retail trade. Under Mr. Gatzert's able management, the business rapidly increased, and, in 1872, the firmn erected on Front street, near Yesler avenue, the first brick block in the city. In July, 1888, the business was incorporated under the name of Schwabacher Brothers & Co., with a paid-up capital of $250.000, the enterprise being con- timed only in the grocery and hardware depart- ments and comprising strictly a wholesale trade. In the fire of June, 1889, the company lost their property and a $200,000 stock of goods, but were well indemnified by insurance. Plans were at once drawn for a four-story brick build- ing with a basement, to be erected on the old site, but for immediate occupancy a one-story brick building, 60 x 111 feet, was erected on the corner of Front and Madison streets, and just sixteen days after the fire they opened this store with a full line of hardware, their grocery busi- ness being conducted on the wharf, at the foot of Union street, until suitable quarters could be provided, that being the only wharf which es- caped the fire. On the completion of their building on the corner of Front and Yesler avenues, they put in a stock of goods worth $250,000, and conducted an extensive business until fire again checked their progress, totally destroying their stock on July 29, 1892, the in- surance companies, however, adjusting the loss. They again started in business, locating on the

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corner of Second and Main Streets, where the house continues to meet every demand of a large and increasing patronage.

Outside of mercantile interests, Mr. Gatzert's influence was felt in the development of the enterprises of Seattle. He was actively identi- fied with the opening of the New Castle coal mines, furnishing supplies, funds and other as- sistance. He was one of the incorporators of the Puget Sound National Bank and the People's Savings Bank of Seattle, and was presi- dent of both institutions at the time of his death. He was also one of the incorporators of the Snohomish National Bank, Yakima National Bank and National Bank of Whatcom, and was part owner of the Madison street cable line and extensions, besides holding valuable realty in- interests in and near the city.

Socially, Mr. Gatzert affiliated with the F. & A. M., being a member of the Thirty-second de- gree, Scottish rite. He ably served his fellow citizens for one term as Mayor of Seattle and for several terms as a member of the City Council.

Mr. Gatzert died April 19, 1893, deeply la- mented by all who knew him. He was distin- . guished by those elements of push, enterprise and enthusiasm which have been so conspicu- ous in the marvelons development of Seattle, and was recognized as a representative man of the city and State.

F. MAX KRIEGK, a medical practi- tioner of Seattle, was born in Frankfort on-the-Maine, Germany, 1853. His academic studies were pursued in the schools of his native city, and he studied medi- cine in the Universities of Tuebingen, Marburg, Strasburg and Freiburg, graduating at the last named institution in 1877. He then entered the army as surgeon, but after one year became paralyzed from the effects of blood poisoning re- sulting from an operation. While seeking rest and recuperation, Dr. Kriegk visited watering places, and traveled through Italy and southern France. After his recovery he spent six months in the hospitals of Vienna, and the following eighteen months as physician and surgeon of the city hospital of Frankfort.

In 1881 our subject came to the United States, traveling direct to San Francisco, where he passed two years in practice, and during

eighteen months of that time was surgeon of the German hospital of that city. Since 1883 he has been active in his profession in Seattle, in a general office and family practice. The Doctor has great faith in the future of this city and has purchased a ranch of 140 acres at the junc- tion of the White and Green rivers. He owns property on Mercer island, also in the process of improvement.

Dr. Kriegk, in his social relations, affiliates with the German Aid Society, with the Turn Verein society, and is a Past Odd Fellow.

J H. GODDARD was born in Clarke county, Washington, at the place where he now resides, on August 30, 1864. His parents were Joseph Ilill and Hester Ann (Hendricks) Goddard; his father was born in Champaign county, Ohio, about twenty miles from Spring- field, where he was brought up and lived nntil 1839, when he went to Illinois, staying only one year there. He then went to lowa, where he lived for twelve years. In 1852, he and his wife crossed the plains to Oregon, making the journey along the usual route, viz .: Fort Lara- mie and Fort Hall, the Dalles and down the Columbia river. They spent one winter at Vancouver, and then located where the family now resides, six miles north of Vancouver. They took up what is known as a donation claim of 320 acres. It was then simply woods, with not a settler in the vicinity. Mr. Goddard lived here until his death, on May 5, 1885. They had eleven children, of whom six are liv- ing, and of whom the subject of this sketch is one. Mr. Goddard was a Republican, politic- ally. He was a member of the Territorial Leg- islature of Washington in the early days. Ile was also one of the Commissioners of the county.

James Harvey Goddard was brought up at the home place, and was partly educated at the common schools in that locality, afterward en- tering the Willamette University, at Salem, Oregon, which he attended for three years. He now devotes his time solely to farming and fruit-raising. He has three or four acres of old orchard, and put ont eight acres in 1893, and his intention is to plant a number of acres in leading varieties of apple, prune and cherry trees. Ilis chief ambition is to be able to de-

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vote his entire attention to horticulture. He has been studying the subject for several years, but only recently has begun to put his ideas into practice.

Mr. Goddard is a Prohibitionist, politieally, and has taken an active part in the organization of his party in the State, and is a member of the County Central Committee. He was a candidate for County Superintendent of Schools, in 1892, on the Prohibition tieket, but was defeated. He has been School Clerk for two years, and now fills that position.

Ile is a member of Fruit Valley Grange, Patrons of Husbandry.

C APT. ARCHIBALD II. ADAMS, who is engaged in a general real-estate and in- surance business in Olympia, Washing- ton, was born in Rushford, Allegany county, New York, September 20, 1844, son of Arehi- bald L. and Evelyn (Durkee) Adams, natives of the same State and of Scotch-English deseent. Archibald L. Adams engaged in the retail drug business in Rushford in early life, and, with the exception of five years spent in Milwaukee, has continued in that line of business up to the time.

The subject of our sketch was educated in the Rushford Academy and at the Milwaukee high school, graduating at the latter institution in 1859. He then began clerking for Bosworth & Sons, wholesale druggists of that city, and re- mained with them until July, 1862, when he enlisted in Company A, Twenty-fourth Wiscon- sin Volunteer Infantry. Ilis regiment joined the Army of the Cumberland, becoming a part of the Third Division and Twentieth Army Corps, and participated in the battles of Perry- ville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge and others, young Adams being wounded but not disabled. The regiment then moved on to Atlanta, with almost continuous fighting for nearly two months. At Atlanta, Mr. Adams was promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant of Company K, Thirty-fifth Wisconsin, and was detailed as Brigade Quartermaster of the Sepa- rate Brigade, Army of the Gulf, and took part in the battles of Spanish Fort, Fort Blakely and Mobile. In March, 1865, he was promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant, and in the follow- ing November to that of Captain. After the

engagement at Mobile he was detailed as Quar- termaster of the Third Division, Thirteenth Army Corps; went to Brownsville, Texas, and was there stationed until March, 1866, when he was returned to Madison, Wisconsin, and was mustered out of service.

The war over, he returned to his former posi- tion with Bosworth & Sons, of Milwaukee, be- came general superintendent of the outside business, and continued as such until 1869. That year he preferred to go upon the road as salesman, and traveled through Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota, continuing in their employ until 1884, when he removed to Chi- cago and accepted a similar position with Lord, Owen & Co., wholesale druggists, and traveled through the same territory. In 1889 he came to Spokane, Washington, and organized the Spokane Drug Company. which, as secretary and manager, he continued until June, 1890, when he removed to Olympia and engaged in the real-estate and insurance business.

Captain Adams was married in Milwaukee, in 1867, to Miss Agnes Armitage, a native of the city of Mexico, and a descendant of Scotch- English ancestry. They have one child, Archi- bald W.

Captain Adams is (1893) the present Com- mander of the George II. Thomas Post, G. A. R .; is Inspector General of the Department of Washington and Alaska, G. A. R .; is Trustee of the Soldiers' Home, at Orting, Washington; and is a member of the Loyal Legion Command- ery of Washington. He is also a member of the blue lodge, No. 175, Kilbourn Chapter No. 1, F. & A. M., and Wisconsin Consistory, S. P. R. S., of Milwaukee, and is Captain Gen- eral of Olympia Commandery, No. 7, Knights Templar.

The Captain is a most agreeable gentleman, frank and generous with all. A shrewd busi- ness man of the strictest integrity, his career has been a successful one. He has established a fine business here, has made an extensive ac- quaintance, and is thoroughly identified with the best interests of his adopted city and State.

OSEPH KLEE, furniture manufacturer and dealer, of Tacoma, was born at Brohl, on the river Rhine, in Prussia, April 15, 1845. Ilis parents were Johann and Anna

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(Kalmon) Klee. The former owned a vineyard in Germany, and made wine for sale. Ile went to 'school from six to twelve years of age, and worked at home till he was seventeen. In 1862 he went to Andernach, where he learned the trade of blacksmith and general machinist, in the machine-shop of Frederick Nachtsheim, serving an appenticeship of three years. He then worked in the pin, needle and hook factory of Th. Vobenpfennig, at Brohl, for nearly one year.

In 1867 he came to America, first locating in Reading, Pennsylvania, where he remained for three years. He went from there to Pittsburg, thence to Columbus, Ohio, and finally to Chi- cago, where he worked as machinist during the summer of 1870. At that time Governor Sal- omon was trying his best to induce people to emigrate to Washington Territory. In Angust, 1870, about 120 persons went from Chicago to San Francisco, where Mr. Klee tried to find work, but failed. He, with the others, took a steamer for Puget Sound. After a six-days' voyage, the boat landed at Steilacoom. The immigrants were taken to Steilacoom garrison, where Mr. Klee remained for four days, and all his clothes were stolen. He then went to Puy- allup and entered a ranch, which he worked for one year, and left, intending to find work. He was told that he could find work at Kalama, on the Northern Pacific Railroad. Being penniless, he was compelled to walk from Puyallup to Kalama, a distance of 140 miles, all alone. There he failed to find work for nearly a month. This was one of the darkest periods of Mr. Klee's life.

Through the aid of Governor Salomon he finally obtained work on a ranch owned by a Mr. Bloomfield, of Portland. After working there for a few months, he walked back to the Sound and farmed for four years on the Nes- qually flats. In 1875 he came to New Tacoma and found work in Mr. David Lister's foundry. (Mr. Lister was the first machinist in the new town.) Mr. Klee worked there for seven years. With the first $15 he saved he bought a lot on Railroad and Thirteenth streets, paying $100, and $15 down, which he sold in 1877 for $520. After this, he continued to buy and sell, making money on each transaction.

In the fall of 1881, being out of work, he made a trip to Germany, visiting his mother, his father having died in 1875. In a short time he returned to this country, bringing his mother,

sister and brother. Soon afterward he bought a flour-mill on Steilacoom lake, for $3,000, in partnership with Fred Nachtsheim, but about two years afterward sold his interest for $1,300 and returned to Tacoma.

April 24, 1884, Mr. Klee was first married, in Tacoma, to Miss Mary Anne Niesen, a daughter of John Niesen, of Steilacoom. He had three children with her: Anna, John and Thekla. His wife died December 6, 1888; the two younger children also died the same year.

In 1888 Mr. Klee went into partnership with Jacob Bauerle and started the Tacoma Furniture Factory, on South Twenty-fifth, East H. In January, 1890, Bauerle sold his interest, and Mr. Klee then went into partnership with Gustav Bresemann.

October 4, 1890, he was married in St. Leo Catholic church, to Miss Anna Schmitz, a niece of Mr. Nachtsheim, and a native of Andernach, Prussia. They had two children: Maria Eliza- beth Ch. and Joseph. In June, 1893, he lost his two girls, within five days of each other. Anna, the older, being eight years and six months old, died June 3, and Elizabeth, twenty months old, died on the 8th of the same month.

Mr. Klee is a Catholic, and a member of the German Holy Rosary Church, Tacoma avenne and Thirtieth streets. He also belongs to the Germania Society.

J AMES E. LEONARD, one of the leading grocers of Chehalis, was born in Potier county, Pennsylvania, December 3, 1865, a son of Peter and Martha (Peet) Leonard, na- tives of New York. The father died March 21, 1893, and the mother now resides in Pennsyl- vania.

James E. Leonard, the oldest of seven chil- dren, received his education in the public schools of his native State, and after arriving at man- hood began work in a factory. He was next engaged in the livery business in Potter county two years, afterward was engaged in buying and selling stock, and in 1890 located in Che- halis, Washington. During the first year he was a contractor for house and decorative paint- ing, after which he engaged in his present busi- ness. Mr. Leonard carried a large stock of everything to be found in a grocery store, and also conducts a general meat market, supplying

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.

choice fresh and salt meats at the most liberal rates. Being a good judge of cattle, Mr. Leonard buys and kills his own beef, pork and mutton, thereby having an advantage over those who purchase through the wholesale firms. Al- though he has been carrying on the present business one year, he has a lucrative and con- stantly increasing trade in both branches. He also owns fifteen acres of land near the city, and business and residence property in Chehalis. In political matters Mr. Leonard is a stanch Re- publican, and while a resident of Potter county, Pennsylvania, filled the office of Constable. He has taken an active interest in public affairs in this county, and has served as chief of the fire department of Chehalis one year. He has great faith in the future prosperity of this thriving eity.

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An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 113

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