An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 119

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 119

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He was married in 1857 to Miss Eliza B. Henry, daughter of Dr. Anson G. Henry, an Oregon poineer of 1852. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Henry went East and located at Mineral Point, Wisconsin, where he engaged in the abstract business with his brother, William T., and also in a general law practice.

With his early enthusiasm over gold excite- ments, Mr. Henry returned to this coast in 1862 to visit the Cariboo mines, but instead was diverted to the Florence mines of Idaho, where he passed an unprofitable summer. In the fall of 1862 he came to Olympia and engag- ed in Government surveys, under Dr. Anson (+. Henry, Surveyor General, working along the Sound and in eastern Oregon for five years. In 1867 Mr. Henry made an abstract of titles

of Thurston county, the first ever atttempted in Washington, and since then has continued in the abstract and real-estate business, also con- ducting a general practice of law.

Mr. and Mrs. Henry have five children: Mamie G., wife of George H. Foster; Francis D .; Rebecca B., wife of Albert Waddell; Rufus W .; and Fay ().

In political matters Judge Henry has been very active, having served eight years as Pro- bate Judge, several terms as a member of the Territorial Legislature, besides minor local offices. He was a member of the Constitu- tional Convention which assembled at Olympia, July 4, 1889, and in advancing and supporting the interests of the new State he has been an active participant.

D R. SIMON BARCLAY CONOVER, Surgeon in Charge of the United States Quarantine Station at Port Townsend, was born in Middlesex county, New Jersey, Septem- ber 23, 1840. His parents, Samnel and Maria (Barelay) Conover, were natives of the same State and were of Holland- English ancestry.

The subject of this sketch was educated at the academy at Trenton, New Jersey, after which he began the study of medicine under the preceptorsi.ip of Dr. John Wolverton, an eminent physician of that city. In the fall of 1862, Mr. Conover entered the Medical Depart- ment of the University of Pennsylvania. So well did he improve his opportunities that, in 1863. after a most rigid examination, he was appointed acting Assistant Surgeon in the United States Army, and assigned to duty in Nashville, Tennessee, at the same time entering the Medical Department of the University of Nashville, at which institution he graduated in 1864. In May of the same year, he was as- signed to Haddington Hospital, in Philadelphia, where he was intimately associated with Prof. Samuel W.Gross, which gentleman subsequently became Professor of Surgery in Jefferson Medi- cal College, in Philadelphia. In the spring of 1865. at his own request, Dr. Conover was transferred to Cincinnati. and assigned to Woodward Military Hospital, of which he was afterward placed in charge. le resigned this position in the fall of 1865 and remrned to Trenton, New Jersey, where he engaged act-

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ively in the practice of his profession and thus continued until July. 1866. lle then accepted the appointment of acting Assistant Surgeon, and was assigned to Lake City, Florida, as Sur- geon in Charge of the United States military post at that place, where he remained nntil the summer of 1868.

After the passage of the reconstruction meas- ures by Congress, Dr. Conover decided to re- main in Florida, and he took an active part in reconstructing the State. Ile was elected to the Constitutional Convention which framed the re- construction laws, according to special act of Congress, and after the re-admission of the State, was made State Treasurer in August, 1868. Resigning his medical appointment, he removed to Tallahassee, the capital, where he entered on the duties of his office, in which he served until January, 1873. In the fall of 1872, he was elected by the Republicans of Leon county to the State Legislature, which convened in January, 1873, and by which body he was elected Speaker of the House. During this session he was elected to the United States Senate for a term of six years, serving until March 4, 1879. At the Republican State Con- vention of May, 1880, he was nominated to the office of Governor of Florida, but, the Demo- crats being in possession of the State govern- ment, he was beaten by methods better known to themselves.

He then followed his profession up to 1883, when he was appointed acting Assistant Surgeon in the Marine Hospital service, and was as- signed to duty in Philadelphia, where he at- tended the Jefferson Medical College, to better fit him for the duties of active practice. In 1885, he returned to Tallahassee and resumed his practice. During the year he was one of the few Republicans elected to the Constitu- tional Convention, and helped frame the pres- ent Constitution of the State.

In July, 1889, he came to Port Townsend and accepted the appointment of Surgeon in Charge of the United States Quarantine Station, the duties of which office he has ever since con- tinned to discharge. He at once identified him- self with the affairs of the State, and in 1891 was appointed Regent of the Agricultural Col- lege and School of Sciences, of which Board he was made President, discharging those duties for two years. He has been a member of the State World's Fair Commission from its incip- iency and Vice-President of both the General

Commission and Executive Committee. He is an active member of the Chamber of Com- merce and has done much to advance the inter- ests of the city and State.

In October, 1868, Dr. Conover was married, at Penn's Manor, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, to Miss Elizabeth II. Ivins, of that county, and they have one child, Donglas Carroll, an attor- ney of Port Townsend, and a practitioner in the courts of the State.

Thus briefly have we been permitted to re- view the life of a pre-eminently self-made man, who, starting in life withont financial assistance, has, by honest and persevering effort, elevated himself to positions of trust and responsibility, and enjoys the confidence and respect of all who know him.

J W. PALMER, Clerk of the Superior Conrt of Cowlitz county, State of Wash- ington, and Clerk of the county of Cow- litz, was born in the town of Williamsburg, Jefferson county, Illinois, April 29, 1860, a son of William and Patience (Hill) Pahner. He was a lad of twelve years when his parents re- moved to Franklin county, Illinois. His par- ents being poor, he was compelled to work ont nights and mornings for his board in order to attend school. He applied himself diligently to the task, and at the age of eighteen was snc- cessful in securing a certificate to teach, which he did, studying of nights in order to advance himself, and unfortunately overworked himself, so that a decided change of occupation became necessary.

Knowing the vigorous exercise that would be afforded him as a cow-boy, he went to the Western plains, and followed this life on the cattle ranges from Texas to Dakota, from 1879 until 1882. The result was most satisfactory, as perfect health was restored to him. His ex- periences during this period have also proven the greatest benefit in the practical business affairs of life.

In the spring of 1883 he returned to Illinois and spent the following year in college; he then taught school during the winter season, and for two summers worked at the blacksmith's trade. Desirous of becoming familiar with the re- sources of his country, he set out on his travels, which lasted several years and took him into all

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portions of the North American continent. In 1889 he came to Washington and located at Carroll's Point, Cowlitz county; here he taught school during a summer, and in the fall seenred work in the county auditor's office. In the spring he again taught school, spending his leisure time at work in the office of the auditor. While engaged as a teacher at Woodland he re- ceived the nomination, on the Democratie ticket, for School Superintendent, but was defeated, not, however, without reducing the Republican majority from 300 to 149. After the election he received the appointment as Deputy County Auditor under Mr. Gumm, and before the ex- piration of his term of office he had been nomi- nated on the Democratic ticket for the office of County Clerk and Clerk of the Superior Court. In November following his nomination he was elected, and in Jannary succeeded S. W. Bell.

Mr. Palmer was married May 18, 1890, to Miss Nellie Titsworth, who was born in Frank- lin county, Illinois, a daughter of A. Titsworth. They have one child, a son named Charles E. Our worthy subject became a member of the Masonic order at Ewing, Illinois, joining Ewing Lodge, No. 705, the day he was twenty-one years old. He now affiliates with Kalama Lodge, No. 17, F. & A. M., and in 1892 he represented his lodge at the Grand Lodge at Spokane; he is also a member of the 1. O. O. F., Kalama Lodge, No. 101, and of Lodge No. 42, A. O. U. W. Ife belongs to the Producers' Trade Union of Cooke connty, Texas, also Kalama Lodge, No. 100, K. of P. He is an ardent supporter of the principles of Democracy, and has repre- sented his party frequently in State conventions; he is at present Chairman of the Democratic Central Committee of Cowlitz county, and served in that capacity during the campaign of 1892, exhibiting rare executive ability. He is very popular throughout the county, and is one of the most efficient officers the county has ever had.

D R. J. C. HOUSE, one of the representa- tive medical practitioners of Port Town- send, Washington, a gentleman of culture and a progressive citizen, was born in Frederick county, Maryland, in June, 1852. His parents, David B. and Elizabeth (Young) House, were also natives of Maryland, in the early history of which State their ancestors played a promi-

nent part. The father of the subject of this sketeh was a wealthy planter, engaged in the cultivation of tobacco and cereal plants, and owning many slaves. After the war he sold his landed interests and has since resided with his children.

Dr. House, of this notice, was educated in the common schools and at Frederick Univer- sity, Maryland. In 1869 he engaged in the study of medicine at the Eclectic Medical In- stitute, of Cincinnati, Ohio, at which he grad- nated in 1873. He began the practice of his profession at Washington city, District of Columbia, and after four years' experience he became, in 1877, assistant at the Cincinnati University hospital. In 1880 he removed to Oxford, lowa, where he followed his profession, being also associated with his brothers in the stock business. While there he served two years as Superintendent of Schools and as Chairman of the Territorial Republican Central Committee, successfully conducting the cam- paign and electing the Hon. F. T. Dubois to Congress. Dr. House was offered political preferment, but declined every overture in this line, preferring to follow his professional career. In 1887 he became physician and surgeon to the Poor Man and Tiger Mining Companies, at Burke, Idaho. In August, 1889, he returned to Cineinnati to take a course at the Eclectic Medical Institute, with two hours' daily practice in the hospital. In June, 1890, he went to New York city for a course at the post-graduate school, and later came to Port Townsend for settlement. In September, 1890, he received from the State Medical Board a certificate to practice his profession, and he at once opened his office. His success was marked and rapid. In a short time he was appointed County Physi- cian, which office he held about two years. He also became the physician and surgeon of the Oregon Improvement Company, at Port Town- send. He follows a general practice in both surgery and medicine, and by his thorough and conscientious work has gained a large patronage.

The Doctor was married in Washington, Dis- trict of Columbia, in 1878, to Miss Emma W. Woltz, a lady of education and refinement of that city, who has cheerfully shared his varied fortunes and contributed toward his success.

Fraternally, he affiliates with the Port Town- send blue lodge and chapter of the F. & A. M. He is Secretary of the State Medieal Society, is an active member of the National Eclectic

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Medical Society, and was a member of the Ad- visory Council of the World's Congress Auxili- ary on a Congress of Eclectic Physicians, which convened in Chicago in May, 1893. He pos- sesses in a marked degree those qualities which contribute to advancement, a progressive dispo- sition, a liberal spirit, an active humanity and a prevailing morality, and justly holds a high position in the regard of his fellow-men.

M GILLIAM, a member of the Washing- ton Bar, and a practicing attorney of Seattle, was born at Dallas, Polk county, Oregon, in April, 1859.

The name of Gilliam is contemporaneous with the early settlement of the Northwest territory. As early as 1844, Cornelins Gilliam, the grandfather of our subject, settled up his business affairs in Missouri and with ox teams started westward. As Captain, he guided a company of emigrants across the plains to the great undeveloped eonntry then ealled Oregon. After a journey of six months' duration, they entered the Willamette valley, the Mecca of their pilgrimage, which, with its broad prairies and abundant feed, interlined with running streams and navigable rivers, seemed to them a land which must eventually "flow with milk and honey." Mr. Gilliam located on his dona- tion claim upon the present site of Dallas, Polk county, and in pioneer style erected his log cabin and began tilling the soil preparatory to an immediate crop to sustain his family. As time ran on the Indian depredations became more and more startling until 1847 the elimax was reached by the massacre of the Whitman family. This aronsed the pioneers to arms. Mr. Gilliam organized a band of volunteers, and as Colonel led the attack east of the monntains in the vicinity of Walla Walla. While on his re- turn to the Willamette valley for the purpose of enlisting reernits, Colonel Gilliam was killed by the accidental discharge of a gun which he was removing from the rear of his wagon. Gilliam county was named in honor of him.

The parents of our subject, W. S. and Esther (Taylor) Gilliam, were born in Missouri and New York respectively, both emigrating to Oregon when children. Here they grew up and were married. W. S. Gilliam remained on the farm in Polk county until 1859, when he moved

to the vicinity of Walla Walla and located on a farin, increasing the same by subsequent pur- chase until he became the owner of 2,500 acres. He was an extensive stock-raiser nntil the country became settled. Then he entered largely into frnit-growing, having the finest orchard in the county and hauling his fruit by wagon forty miles to Wallula and thence by river to Port- land, where he found quiek sales at lucrative prices. He retired from his farm in 1891, and now resides in Walla Walla. In 1861 he was elected to the Territorial Legislature, and in 1864 as Sheriff of Walla Walla county. Since then he has not been in active politics.

M. Gilliam was reared to farm life. He was educated in the public schools and in the Pacific University at Forest Grove, Oregon. In 1882 he began the study of law in the office of Senator John B. Allen, and in March, 1883, removed to Yakima, where he continued his studies under the instruction of Edward Whit- son, and was admitted to the bar in May, 1884. He commenced practice in Yakima, in 1886 removed to Ellensburg, and in September, 1890, came to Seattle. At the latter place he entered into partnership with Judge W. Lair Hill, one of the most able attorneys and jurists of the State. The partnership was dissolved June 1, 1891, and a new association was formed with E. Coke Hill, son of Judge Hill, under the firm Gilliam & Hill.

Mr. Gilliam was married in Yakima in May, 1889, to Veva Wiswell. a native of Oregon and a daughter of Oliver Wiswell, a pioneer of the State, and for many years manager of the old Oregon & California state line.

Mr. Gilliam is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity. He is developing great talent in the line of his profession and is found- ing a satisfactory and Incrative practive.

H ENRY M. LILLIS, Chief of the Fire Department of Tacoma, Washington, and a well-known and respected citizen, was born in Lansing, Michigan, Febru- ary 14, 1856. His parenty, Patrick and Mary Lillis, were thrifty and worthy people, enjoying the esteem of all who knew them. When the subject of this sketch was bnt three years of age, the family removed to Stillwater, Minnesota, and three years later went to St. Croix Falls,

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Wisconsin, where Henry resided until he was twenty-two years of age. He received his edu- cation in the common and high schools of Still- water, graduating at the latter in the class of 1874. He then engaged in teaching in Polk county, Wisconsin, which occupation he fol lowed for three years. At the end of that time he went to Texas, where he entered the building and contracting business, which he followed successfully in San Antonio, Galveston, Hous- ton, Waco, and other places. He went from that State to Nevada, where he was engaged about six months in hauling and handling freight from Carson City to Candelaria and Bodie, California. Next he went to Oregon, and spent about two years in logging in various parts of that state. In the spring of 1881, he came to Tacoma, Washington, where he engaged in millwright work for the Tacoma Mill Com- pany, which occupation he followed one year.

At the end of that time he began teaching in the First Ward school of Tacoma, of which he was principal for seven years, afterward act- ing in the same capacity in the Lowell school. In 1885 he was admitted to the Bar of the Territory, but has never practiced his profession. He has a diploma, dated March 17, 1889, and holds a Territorial certificate, dated March 17, 1884.

March 1, 1889, he became Chief of the Fire Department, of which office he in the present incumbent, his services in this capacity being characterized by the same promptness and efficiency which has marked all his former work in whatever position he has filled. He became a member of the Volunteer Fire Department on its organization in 1884, and was a charter member of the Eagle Hose Company, No. 2, from its inception, Angust 25, of the same year, of which Company he was secretary. He was elected Assistant Chief of the Fire De- peatment of Tacoma in 1886 and re-elected to to succeed himself in 1887, eventually coming to his present position, not by favor, but as a reward for efficient service in his other capaci- ties. It was a case of the office seeking the man, which in consequence is well filled, re- flecting alike credit on the community and on the person who so ably discharges his duty. This is not the only occasion on which his fel- low citizens have shown their appreciation of his capabilities to fill a position of trust, for he represented the First Ward in the City Council for five years, having been elected to a three

years' term in 1884, after which he was re- elected, but resigned at the end of two years to accept his present office. In May, 1888, he was elected a member of the Constitutional Conven- tion from the Twenty-first District of Pierce county, and served on several committees. In 1886, he was elected Justice of the Peace for the First Ward District, which office he held for two years.

Fraternally, Mr. Lillis belongs to numerous societies. Ile is a member of the Evergreen Lodge, No. 51, F. & A. M .; of the K. of H .; Banner Lodge, No. 22; of the I. O. O. F., Co- Inmbia Lodge, No. 98; of the Tacoma Encamp- ment No. 8; the Improved Order of Red Men, Snoqualmie Lodge, No. 5; Uniforin Rank, K. of P., No. 4; and Tacoma Canton, No. 4, of the I. O. O. F.

Such universal endorsement of his merits by his fellow citizens leaves but little for his bi- ographer to advance, except to emphasize what has been previously made plain, that he owes his success to intelligent activity, supplemented by honest and courageous perseverance, which brings all things to those who labor and wait.

J M. LAMMON, a resident of Olympia and one of the successful pioneers of Washington, was born in Crawford conn- ty, Pennsylvania, in 1840.

His parents, George W. and Eliza (Eddy) Lammon, were natives of New York and Maine respectively. George W. Lainmon was by trade a mason, which he followed in Crawford county until 1857. Then, removing to Illinois for six months, then to Iowa, he continued work at his trade in connection with farming and merchan- dising up to the time of his death.

J. M. Lammon remained with his parents until the spring of 1853, when he joined the family of his nucle, John E. Lammon, and with them erossed the plains and mountains to Washington. Their journey was one of exceed- ing hardship, which was increased by Mor- mon depredation instead of difficulty with the Indians. With supplies exhausted, they event- nally landed in Yakima county, and there bar- gained their teams with the settlers for safe transportation across the mountains; but, after a few days of travel, they were left in the

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mountains without teams, blankets or supplies, and, except for the kind attention of the Yaki- ma Indians who furnished them with fish and potatoes and with their Indian ponies brought them through to Fort Steilacoom, the family must have perished from starvation. At the fort they found occupation sufficient to procure food, and subsequently went to Douglas county, Oregon, where Mr. Lammon took up a donation claim and engaged in farming.

He remained with his uncle abont eighteen months. Then he joined a party of campers and returned to the States, joining his father's family in Iowa and remaining with them until the spring of 1857. At time he engaged with Majors Russell and Waddells to drive a freight wagon from Kansas City to Salt Lake, and re- turn. In the spring of 1858, for the same tirin, he drove from Nebraska City to Salt Lake, where sixty of the teamster employees organ - ized a company, purchased one wagon and four horses to carry supplies, and started for Cali- fornia. At Honey Lake valley, Nevada, the company broke up and divided their effects, and Mr. Lammon and a few friends proceeded to Nevada City, California, where he worked at mining about one year. Then the dull times came on and he wandered through the Saera- mento valley, exhausted his funds while seeking work, and arrived in Sacramento " dead broke." He then traveled north to Siskiyon county, making the distance of 350 miles on foot, se- curing sufficient work by the way to provide himself with food. In Siskiyou he mined and followed ranching up to 1864, when he visited his uncle in Douglas county, Oregon. Six months later he hired to Hutchison and Bar- dean to drive a band of cattle to Fort Steila- coom, and from there went to Victoria, British Columbia, where he engaged in the butchering business for two years, until the mining excite- ment in the Big Bend of the Columbia. Then, with the enthusiasmn of the old miner, he shoul- dered his pack and started for that country, which proved a fruitless expedition. He next went up the Fraser river to Cariboo, and mined and butehered with good suecess, but the cold winters drove him back to the coast.

Mr. Lammon came to Olympia in August, 1869. After a few years with Sam Coulter and the Grangers' Market, he started in business for himself, which he continued until 1884. That year be sold out, aud, with the pioneer ex- cursion, visited his friends in the East. Return-

ing to Washington, he engaged in the real- estate business, which he has continued to fol. low, owning large property interests in the eity of Olympia, and about 800 aeres of ranch prop- erty in ontlying districts.

HIe was married in Olympia, in 1872, to Miss Mary Lequa, of French descent. They have had three children, as follows: Amanda, Mary and Stephen J., the last named being deceased.

Mr. Lammon has served two terms on the City Council. He is an ardent Republican, and one of the highly respected citizens of Olympia.

Ģ USTAV BRESEMANN, of the firm of Bresemann & Klee, furniture manufactur- ers and dealers, Tacoma, was born in Prussia, Germany, in the village of Ln- dershagen, near the city of Stralsund, March 20, 1845, a son of Emanuel and Mary (Vierke) Bresemann.

He was educated in his native place and learned bis trade of furniture-maker in the city of Stralsund, and having mastered it sufficiently he traveled throughout Germany. In 1865 he entered the Prussian army, in the Forty-second Infantry, and was stationed at Swinemunde. In the spring of 1866 war broke out between Prussia, and Austria and the Southern German States, in which his regiment was engaged in the battle of Gitehin, June 29, and July 3, in the battle of Sadowa, Bohemia.

In 1867 he left the army and worked at his trade for two years, when in 1869 he decided to try his fortunes in America. For the first year after his arrival here he was engaged in the furniture business in Chicago, Illinois. In 1870 he came to Puget Sound and located at Steilacoom and was employed in carpenter work until 1872, when he rented the " Davis place" at the head of Lake Steilacoom, and began mak- ing furniture in partnership with Angust Burow. After two years they rented " Byrd's flour mill" at the outlet of Lake Steilacoom, put in machinery and began the manufacture of furniture. They ran the factory there only about a year, when Mr. Bresemann took up a elaim near Spanaway lake and built a shop and made furniture by water power, still in partner- ship with August Burow, finding a market in Steilacoom, Olympia and Tacoma. In 1882 they

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An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 119

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