An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 117

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 117

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.

when he retired. He died in 1871. aged sixty years. His widow lived to the age of seventy- nine years, passing away in 1890.

Alouzo B., the oldest member of his father's family, was educated in the schools of Olympia. He worked with his father at the millwright business until 1862, when he went to Portland, Oregon, and entered the photographic studio of D. H. Hendee, and, later, that of Messrs. Card- well & Buchtel, pioneer photographers of the Northwest, and learned the art of photography.

In 1868 he returned to Tumwater and en- gaged in ranching and the milling business. In 1870 he entered the office of Dr. George Robinson, dentist and photographer, of Olym- pia, afterward purchased the art gallery, con- ducted the same until 1873, and also studied dentistry. He practiced his profession, and, through assistants, ran the gallery nutil 1880. Since that time he has devoted his energies cx- clusively to dentistry.

Dr. Woodard was married in Portland, in 1867, to Miss Roxie L. Wallace, They have two children: Elma and Ada, the former being the wife of Frank Crawford, a ship builder of Tacoma.

In 1873 Dr. Woodard was one of the organ- izers of the Olympia Manufacturing Company, which built the West Side mill. He served one year as Connty Commissioner, two terms in the City Council of Olympia, and since 1880 has been a Director of the city schools. He owns valuable property in and around the city. Socially, he is identified with the Oddfellows.

G APTAIN W. G. WEIR, whose name is familiar to the citizens of Clarke county, is especially associated with the village of La Center, whose foundation he laid by the establishment of a dry-goods store, at the head of navigation on the Lewis river. He was the first commander of the steaml oats on this river, having purchased the "Swallow," a small vessel that inaugurated one of the most valued indus- tries. Captain Weir had had many years of experience in both canal and river navigation in Ohio before coming to Portland, Oregon, in 1872. He at once interested himself in river naviga- tion, and for eighteen years plied the Lewis river. As before mentioned, he was instru- mental in the founding of the village of La

Center, and in 1873 was the prime mover in securing the establishment of a postoffice at this point. He retained his interest in the mer- cantile business bnt a short time, preferring to devote his time and energies to the river. His life has been an nneventful one viewed in the light of thrilling adventure, but deeds of charity and loving kindness have blossomed all along his path, condneing to his own comfort and happiness.

Abandoning the river, Captain Weir opened a restaurant, in the management of which he is ably aided by his son; he has also an attractive lodging-house, where the weary traveler may find rest and comfort.

Captain Weir is a native of the State of New Jersey, born Jannary 12, 1837. His parents, Daniel and Martha (Young) Weir, were also natives of New Jersey, and were descended from the early settlers of that State. They re- moved to Ohio in 1841; so the Captain passed his boyhood and youth in the Buckeye State. While a youth in his 'teens he engaged in bridge- building, and for a period of seven years fol- lowed this most useful industry. In the mean- while his parents removed to Jasper county, Iowa, where they resided the remainder of their days. The father died in May, 1890, having survived his wife thirty years. Captain Weir was united in marriage in Iowa. July 9, 1857, to Miss Hannah Flock, a native of Ohio, and there were born to them six children: Adelaide, wife of Charles Forbes; Cocious, Durward, Leroy, Durrell and Valerie. Mrs. Weir departed this life January 9, 1893.

Captain Weir owns a valnable tract of land, consisting of 120 acres, thirty of which are under cultivation; he has a young orchard of a general variety of fruits. In politics, he votes with the Democratic party, but takes no active interest in the movements of that body beyond the exercise of his right of franchise.

G EORGE H. DARLAND, one of the young and progressive farmers of Klickitat conn- ty, residing seven miles northwest of Gol- dendale, was born in Marion county, Ore- gon, a son of S. R. Darland, a native of Illinois. The latter resided for a time in Iowa, and in 1865, via Forts Laramie and Hall, he crossed the plains with his family, locating near Salem,

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Oregon. In 1876 he came to Klickitat county, Washington, taking the homestead, where he now lives, but has since added to his original purchase until he now owns 280 acres of well improved land. Ile has a good dwelling, also barns and ontbuildings for the convenience of stock.

George H. Darland, the subject of this sketch, now owns 320 acres of well improved land, seven miles northwest of Goldendale, and 160 acres as a homestead, making a total of 480 acres. He devotes his time principally to wheat- raising, and his average crop yields about thirty- five bushels per acre. He also has good and substantial buildings, a large orchard, etc.

Mr. Darland was married in December, 1887, to Miss Mary Hale, then of this county, but a native of Missouri, and a daughter of W. H. Hale, of Klickitat county. Our subject and wife have two children: William, born October 5, 1889; and Lois, born August 30, 1891. Mr. Darland is a member of the Spring Creek Grange, in which he now holds the office of Grand Master.

C APTAIN E. F. BUCKLIN, of Seattle, was born in Warren, Maine, September 15, 1851, a son of Eben and Lydia ( Mank) Bneklin, natives also of that State. Our sub- ject was early inured to farm labor, and improved the educational advantages of his native locality. At the age of seventeen years he was appren- ticed to learn the trade of machinist, at Camden, Maine, where he remained until 1875, and in that year crossed the continent to Puget Sound. After his arrival, Mr. Bucklin was employed at the Fort Madison Mill two years; was then for ten months engineer of the steamer " Ruby," running between Port Madison and Seattle; was master of the same boat eighteen months, and the company then discontinued business. The Captain was next master of the tug "Celilo" eighteen months, and was then six months on the steamboat "Evangel," running between Seattle and Westminster, British Co- lumbia, but on account of insufficient business the steamer was laid up. He then returned to the Port Madison Mill Company, as master of the tug " Addie," and with the exception of nine months as Captain of the tng " Dispatch," he continued on that boat for eight years, or until

1888. In that year he became Captain of the tug " Biz," owned by Captain E. Miller, with which he is now conducting a general towing business.

Captain Bucklin was married in 1875, to Miss Helen C. Day, a native of Camden, Maine. They have one child: Mary L. The Captain is a member of the F. & A. M., and the American Brotherhood of Puget Sound Pilots, No. 16. He owns both valuable improved and nnim- proved property in the city of Seattle.

S OUTHI BEND .- This young city, which is in the extreme western part of Wash- ington, and at which commerce by deep- sea vessels and by rail merge, is looked upon as one of the future important places of the coast.

It is situated at the head of deep- water navi- gation on Willapa river, and within eighteen miles of the Pacific ocean. It has a wharfage line several miles in extent, with a sufficient depth of water to float the largest ocean vessels. The upper portion of the river, from South Bend to Willapa City, is navigable for steamers of moderate size. The teredo, which has com- mitted such ravages upon the docks and wharves of other Pacific ports, is entirely unknown on the Willapa harbor. Piles driven at South Bend twenty years ago are intact and nninjured, the flow of fresh water being sufficient to pre- elude the existence of the destructive pest. The harbor is entirely land-locked, affording abso- lute shelter and safe anchorage for shipping.

At the east end of the city the harbor is a basin from 1,200 to 1,800 feet wide, with chan- nels along both shores, and a wide, shallow middle ground. Fronting on this basin on the south is a large tidal flat of abont 225 acres in extent, and on this, which forms part of the first and second additions to South Bend, are located the Northern Pacific Railroad terminal grounds. The advisability of dredging this large basin, and filling the flat from the material ob- tained, was undertaken by the citizens of South Bend, assisted by the Northern Pacific Railroad Company, in spite of the fact that the estimated cost-a half-million dollars-would be suffi- ciently high to deter many an older and larger place from beginning such an enterprise. On the 15th of July, 1891, the Bowers dredger, which had been used on similar work (though

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on a smaller scale) at Tacoma, was towed around from that eity to South Bend, and began an en- gagement of two years' constant work, night and day.

The basin was dredged to a depth of twenty- six feet at low tide, and the flat raised three feet above the former level, with the material obtained, which was a sandy clay. Thus were simultaneously created a first-class harbor and a magnificent town site. The United States war vessel Monterey, which mnade a tour of the Pa- cific coast of the United States in 1893, visiting the principal seaports, anchored in the spacious harbor at South Bend, and was enthusiastically received by the citizens.

The year 1893 marked the completion of the line of the Northern Pacific Railroad into South Bend. This line intersects the company's main line at Chehalis, and from that point the origi- nal plan contemplates an extension to Northi Yakima, giving even more direct communica- tion from South Bend to the East.

Much capital has been expended in building up the city and its industries. Its resources are many, and some of the best financiers of the Northwest pin their faith to the future of South Bend.

TONIN KURTZ, a highly respected citizen living four miles west of Goldendale, Klickitat county, was born in Ohio, July 5, 1834, a son of John Kurtz, a native of Ger- many. In the early part of their lives the parents crossed the Atlantic ocean, coming to this country in search of a new home in a free land. Landing in New York harbor, they emi- grated to Pennsylvania, but afterward moved to Ohio, where they toiled and spent the remain- der of their lives.

John Kurtz, our subject, spent his early life in Ohio. At the age of fourteen years he came west to Indiana, spending three years in Lake and Porter counties, and during two years of that time was employed as clerk by Maliby Carr, of Valparaiso. He next went to Minne- sota, and at the opening of the late war enlisted for service at Clearfield, that State, was stationed at Fort Hamilton, New York, and took part in the second battle of Bull Run, that of Antie. tam, and in many skirmishes. He was dis- charged at Fort Hamilton, June 2, 1865. In 1879 Mr. Kurtz came to Klickitat county, Wash-

ington, where he has 160 acres of land under a fine state of cultivation. He was one of the early pioneers in this county, and takes an active interest in every enterprise for the ad- vancement of his community.

Mr. Kurtz was married in 1857, to Miss Elizabeth McCabe, then of Minnesota but a native of New York, and a daughter of John and Mary McCabe, natives of Ireland. They came to New York in an early day, and later crossed the plains to the golden State of Cali- fornia, locating in Napa county, where they re- mained seventeen years. The father died in New York, and the mother afterward removed to Minnesota, where she spent her declining years. Mr. and Mrs. Kurtz have three chil- dren: Clara Bower, Lidia Darling and Lestie.

Mr. Kurtz is a member of the Baker Post, G. A. R., of Goldendale, of which he is now Senior Vice-Commander.

W ILLIAM T. FORREST, Cominissioner of Public Lands, Washington, was born in Jefferson county, Iowa, in July, 1849, son of J. M. and M. A. (Bullett) Forrest, natives of Kentucky and Indiana respectively. His parents were among the earliest pioneers of southeastern Iowa, having located there when it was a Territory, and there they passed their lives, engaged in agricultural pursuits.

William T. was educated at the Iowa Central University, with a course of law at the State University, graduating at the latter institution in the year 1882. He was then admitted to practice in the district courts of Iowa and the district and cirenit courts of the United States. He opened an office at Fairfield, the county seat of Jefferson county; but, subsequently deciding to come to the Pacific coast, he left for Califor- nia in the spring of 1883. After passing sev- eral months in looking over the Golden State, in August he traveled north, and finally located at Chehalis, Lewis county, Washington, where he opened an office and engaged in his profes- sion. He took an active part in local affairs, serving as member of the Council and as Mayor of the city. In 1886 he was elected to the Ter- ritorial Legislature, and at the first State elec- tion, held in October, 1889, as a nominee of the Republican party, he was elected to the office of Commissioner of Public Lands. The duties of

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this position embrace the jurisdiction of the State granted lands, school lands and tide lands. Mr. Forrest is also a member of the several land commissions.

He was married at Portland, Oregon, in 1888, to Miss Elizabeth R., daughter of Daniel Rou- debush, a native of Illinois. He still calls Che- halis his home, having continued his professional interests in that city, expecting to resume prac- tice there when he retires from his present posi- tion. Socially, he affiliates with the I. O. O. F. He is a member of the Chehalis Improvement Company, and, besides having private landed interests, is actively engaged in many enter- prises which tend to develop the city of his adoption.

C APT. C. S. REINHART, Clerk of the Supreme Court of Washington, was born in Olympia, Washington Territory, in 1856. His father, Stephen D. Reinhart, was born in Kentucky and reared in Indiana. In the latter State he learned the trade of mill- wright and married Miss Sarah Cock, a native of Indiana. In 1852 they set out with ox teams to cross the plains to Oregon, and after expe- riencing many hardships ultimately arrived at the Dalles, where Mr. Reinhart built a raft and assisted a number of emigrants to the Cascades. Being financially " broke," he secured employ- ment at the Cascades, in loading a small sloop and taking her down to Portland, where he arrived in the fall. He then proceeded to Thurston county, Washington Territory, and located on Monnd Prairie, from which place he was subse- quently run off by the Indians. After that he worked at the carpenter's trade in Olympia until 1862, when he moved to eastern Oregon and turned his attention to farming and mercantile pursuits, remaining there until 1867. That year he located in Napa county, California, where he resnmed work at his trade, and later was employed as bridge builder on the Southern Pacific Railroad. In 1871 he returned to Ore- gon and was appointed carpenter at the Grande Ronde reservation, also temporary Indian agent, continning there until 1872. Then he went to Whatcom county and homesteaded 160 acres of land, npon which he has since been engaged in agricultural pursuits, now having one of the best improved farms in the county.

C. S. Reinhart was educated at the San Jose Institute and Commercial College in California, . and at the Willamette University at Salem, Oregon. He then entered the office of the Puget Sound Courier at Olympia, and was employed "at the case" there and in different localities until 1873. Subsequently he worked in the office of the Oregon Satesman at Salem, and still later spent one year in the office of the Sur- veyor General. In 1879 he engaged in the saddle and harness business with Mr. Downer at Stayton, East Portland, and Goldendale, con- tinning the business until 1884. At that time Mr. Reinhart sold out and bought an interest in the Klickitat Sentinel, which he subsequently sold. This paper was consolidated with the Goldendale Gazette, and was continned as the Goldendale Sentinel, with Judge R. (). Dunbar as editor and Mr. Reinhart as foreman of the press room. A year later Judge Dunbar re- signed, and the subject of onr sketch was elected editor, in which capacity he continued until March 4, 1891, when he was appointed Clerk of the Supreme Court. Upon receiving this appointment he at once removed his family to Olympia, and here he has since resided.

In 1885 Mr. Reinhart assisted in the organi- zation of Company B, Second Regiment, Na- tional Guard of Washington, and was appointed Sergeant. Afterward he was in turn commis- sioned Lieutenant and Captain, serving in the latter capacity about four years. With the or- ganization of Company A, First Regiment, National Guard of Washington, at Olympia, in December, 1891, Captain Reinhart was induced to accept the captaincy of that company and was duly commissioned. He has proved an efficient and satisfactory officer, and has placed the com- pany npon a creditable working basis, and this company, although among the youngest, is con- sidered one of the best in the State.

Captain Reinhart was married in Salem, in 1877, to Miss Clara Downer, daughter of Joseph W. Downer, a pioneer of 1847, and now a resi- dent of North Yakima. They have four chil- dren, as follows: William W., Anna, Ione and Eva Ruth. The Captain built .his comfortable cottage home at No. 1022 East Second street. He also owns valuable city and country property at Goldendale, and has forty acres of fruit land in Whatcom county.

Socially, he is a member of the F. & A. M., and the A. O. U. W. at Goldendale. He was elected to the last Territorial Legislature, but

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before it convened the Territory was admitted as a State. An active Republican, he lias fre- quently been a candidate at county conventions, and for three terms served in the City Council of Goldendale.

S AMUEL WILLEY, proprietor of the steam boat " Multnomah," resides at the corner of Eighth and Washington streets, Olympia, Washington. He has long been iden- tified with the interests of the Northwest, and it is therefore fitting that some personal mention be made of him in this work. Following is a brief sketch of his life:

Samuel Willey was born in Cherryfield, Wash- ington county, Maine, April 14, 1826. His parents, Samuel D. and Hannah (Conley) Wil- ley, were also natives of Maine, being descended from Thomas Willey, of Dover, New Hamp- shire, who was taxed in 1648. Farming was the industry of their ancestors, who found honor in the occupation and also ably assisted in the development and maintenance of the country.

Samnel remained with his parents until he was twenty-one years of age, having been reared to agricultural and lumbering pursuits. In 1847 he left home and devoted his time exclu- sively to lumbering and logging until 1859. In the meantime, July 2, 1848, he married Miss Lydia Moss. Leaving his family the East, he started in 1859 for California, embarking from New York on the steamer " Star of the West," for Aspinwall, and re-embarking at Panama on the " Golden Gate" for San Francisco, where he arrived August 24. Going to Siskiyou county, he followed placer mining near Yreka for two years with fair success. He then returned to his family in Maine, resuming the Inmbering business there, and continued the same until 1867, when he again started for the Pacific coast, this time with the determination of build- ing a home for his family and making it his permanent abiding place. Upon his arrival in California, he was employed by the Central Pa- cific Railroad Company in building water-tanks between Cisco and Humboldt Springs, being thus employed about eighteen months. From there he came to Puget Sound and engaged in the logging business in Mason county. In 1871 he sent for his family, thus making his

home and household complete. He continued his logging interests until 1880, when he moved to Olympia for permanent settlement.

Upon locating in Olympia, Mr. Willey pur- chased the steamer Susie, a propeller passenger boat, which he and his sons operated between Oakland and Olympia in a general passenger and freight service. In 1883 he sold the Susie and bought the Willie, a stern-wheeler, and continued the same character of service till June, 1892. He had carried on the logging business up to 1889. That year he went to Portland and bought the stern-wheel steamboat Multnomah, which had been running between Portland and Astoria. He fitted the vessel for sea and ran her with her own strength to Puget Sound, making the distance between Astoria and Port Townsend in twenty-two hours, safely arriving at Olympia. Mr. Willey established the line between Olympia, Kamilche and Ta- coma, which he operated about eighteen months, after which he changed his course from Olympia to Seattle, the present run, making the round trip every day. The steamer is now operated by his two sons, La Fayette as captain, and George B. as purser. Mr. Willey's family is composed of three sons and one daughter. One son, Philander L., formerly captain of the Willie, now commands the City of Aberdeen. The daughter, Lucretia, is the wife of J. S. Leighton.

In 1884 Mr. Willey built the comfortable home in which he now resides, and in 1889 he retired from active life, except as he is ocenpied in looking after his private interests. The com- panion of his youth is still living. Mr. Willey has made some wise investments in real estate, and is now the owner of mueh valnable prop- erty, both improved and unimproved. He is a member of no societies, and has never been a seeker for public office. Believing that "the Lord will help those who help themselves," he has followed this principle, and his efforts have been crowned with ample success.

S AMUEL F. BURR was born January 12, 1852, in Trumbull county, Ohio, abont two miles from Center Johnson and five miles from Kinsman. His parents were David Solomon and Navy(North) Burr. The former, a

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native of Connecticut, emigrated to Ohio in 1840. When Samnel was about two months old his parents moved to the lead region of the State of Wisconsin, and remained until 1854, when they started for the coast. Their original intention on starting from Ohio was to go west, but they stopped in Wisconsin to finish out- fitting, which being done they continned their journey, crossing the Missouri at Kantzville. They had traveled but a few days when the father died and was buried on the plains. The rest of their trip was uneventful. They finally located at Orting, Washington, where they re- mained only a few months, finally locating about a mile out from Tacoma, in 1855, close to Lake View on the Northern Pacific railroad. After four or five years they removed to Sumner, and located where Mr. Burr at present resides.

Mr. Burr was brought up in Pierce county, Washington, and received his education in the local schools. He was married in Jamestown, New York, June 19, 1890, to Miss Mary Sni- der, daughter of Peter and Mary (North) Snider.

Mr. Burr is engaged in farming and stock- raising, also making a specialty of the dairy business. To further this department of his farming, he introduced, November 15, 1885, some of the finest breeds of cows, shipping the same from southern Oregon.

C HARLES F. SEAL, cashier of the Mer- chants' Bank of Port Townsend, was born in Millersburg, Pensylvania, October 1, 1856. His parents, Jesse and ('aroline (Beard) Seal, were also natives of the Keystone State, descended from early settlers, who were of Hol- land and Scoteh-Irish ancestry.

The subject of this sketch was reared on the home farm and laid the foundation of his edu- cation at the common schools, on which he has since built, acquiring knowledge in the various channels of experience. When fourteen years of age, he engaged in the printing business at Millersburg, Pennsylvania, thus complying with his father's request, who was unable to give his son a college education. After a year and a half, the printing office was removed to Tyrone, the same State, where the subject of this sketch continued his apprenticeship, remaining with the paper eight and a half years. During this

time, he passed through the several departments of newspaper and book-jobbing work, at the same time attending night schools, aequiring a good practical education.

His opportunities for promotion in newspa per work appearing to him rather meager, he resigned his position, in 1879, to accept a clerk- ship in the transportation department of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company at Altoona, where he remained two years. Ile afterward worked in the same department in Philadelphia until 1883, at which time he resigned his posi- tion to follow out a youthful ambition to mak- ing his home on the l'acific Coast, Portland, Oregon, being his objective point. Hle duly arrived in that city on April 20, 1883, without an acquaintance in the place. Meeting a sur- veyor formerly from Philadelphia, Mr. Seal seenred work, in which he continued for one year. Hle then assisted in organizing the Port- Iand Construction Company, and, as vice presi- dent, took an active part in the management of the business, which con-isted in the building of docks, bridges and brick and frame structures. Owing to the depressed times, however, the company made but little financial progress, and, in September, 1886, Mr. Seal sold his interest. In the following October, he was offered a position as book-keeper in the banking house of Ladd & Tilton, which he accepted. During his connection of three years with this institu- tion, he was employed in the several depart- ments of the business, receiving a thoroughly practical banking education under the personal direction of Mr. Ladd, one of the most success- ful bankers in the Northwest.

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An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 117

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