An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 124

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

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J AMES BOYD, deceased, was a native of the South and was born on June 12, 1830. He was the son of High and Mary (Dud- ley) Boyd. His parents located in Indiana abont fourteen miles from Indianapolis, where he remained until twenty years of age, when he left home and went to Iowa, locating at Sig- ourney. From there he went to Missouri and worked for two years, when he came across the plains to Oregon, locating in Polk county. The next four years he spent in Monmouth, Dallas, Brownsville, and in King's Valley, and in 1868 removed to Washington. After renting a number of places, he finally moved to the home- stead where Mrs. Boyd now resides. This place was then ronghi and a dense undergrowth cov-

ered all the land except six acres. There are now 120 acres cleared in the place, of which fifteen are devoted to hops.

Mr. Boyd was married in Dallas, Polk county, Oregon, on December 25, 1864, to Miss Joanna Hughes, a native of Warren county, Missouri, a daughter of A. S. and Sarah (Wyatt) Hughes. Her parents came across the plains in 1864 and fell in with the same party to which Mr. Boyd was joined, and continued the journey together, settling in the same county in Oregon, where they lived also for four years. They finally re- moved to Washington, near Slaughter.

Mr. and Mrs. Boyd have had five children, viz .: Alexander Hugh; Elizabeth Pinckney, wife of Clement V. Vochridge; James S., David R. and Harry O.

Mr. Boyd died on March 7, 1893, leaving an unsullied reputation behind him. He was charitable in a quiet way, and was prone to hide his good deeds rather than have theni talked about by even his most intimate friends.

M HARWOOD YOUNG, one of the active and enterprising developers of Seattle, was born at Groton, Massa- chusetts, September 21, 1846, a son of Lemuel D. and Elizabeth (Marston) Young, na- tives of Plymouth, New Hampshire, where their ancestors settled in the early part of the eighteenth century. Shortly after the birth of our subject his parents returned to New Hamp- shire, settling in Manchester, where his father was engaged in the mercantile business.

Mr. Young, of this notice, attended the schools of Manchester, and prepared for college at the New Hampshire Conference Seminary, at Til- ton. At the call for additional troops, in 1863, he became imbned with patriotism, and enlisted in the Eighth New Hampshire Infantry. Duiy arriving at the front, the regiment was mount- ed, and accompanied General N. P. Banks on his famous Red river campaign. Subsequently Mr. Young became Regimental Clerk, under Lientenant-Colonel Flanders, and while actively engaged in a fight near Natchez, Mississippi, received a saber wound, the scar of which he still carries.

After the close of the struggle he returned to his home, and shortly afterward accepted a clerkship in a wholesale dry-goods store in Bos-

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ton. In 1868 Mr. Young started westward. At St. Louis, Missouri, he and a friend pur- chased twelve horses, one barouche, three prairie schooners and four light wagons, and at Leaven- worth, Kansas, they secured the services of three men to help them cross the plains to California. They went by the Smoky Hill route, and were attacked by Indians on the plains, who stole all their horses excepting one small pony. The party pushed ahead from sta- tion to station to Denver, Colorado, and thence, by stage and rail, they duly arrived in San Francisco.

After a two-weeks' sojourn Mr. Young re- turned to Boston, secured a position in the auditor's department of the Burlington & Mis- souri Railroad, with headquarters at Burlington, Iowa, but in 1872 returned to Massachusetts, to accept the position of cashier of the Boston Manufacturing Company, located at Waltham, and proprietors of the first cotton mill built in the State. He continued as their cashier and confidential man for a period of eighteen years, and during that time was also one of the active business men of Waltham. He was one of the organizers of the Waltham Co-operative Bank, of which he was the first Secretary and Treas- urer, continuing in that position two years, when the volume of business demanded more time than he could spare, and he then served as di- rector. Mr. Young also assisted in organizing the electric light system, of which he became a director, and after its consolidation with the Waltham Gas Light Company, still continued in that position. After the incorporation of the city of Waltham, in 1884, Mr. Young was elect- ed a member of the first Board of Aldermen, which position he held two years, and then de- clined a renomination. He then served three years as chairman of the Sinking Fund Com- mission.

In July, 1889, Mr. Young visited Seattle and the Sound district, returned to Waltham to sever his connection with the corporation, and assisted in organizing the New England North- western Investment Company, with the eastern office in Boston, and the western office in Seattle. In January, 1890, Mr. Young came to Seattle, as general manager. The purpose of the com- pany is to buy and improve business and resi- dent property, and to make investments on first mortgages. Eastlake and Beacon Hill additions are among their developments, besides many in- dividual lots in and about the city. Mr. Young

is also Vice-President, Trustee and a stockholder in the James Street Construction Company, builders of the Union Trunk Line system of street railroads, and a Trustee of the Metropoli- tan Land Company.

Mr. Young is thoroughly imbned with that spirit of enterprise so significant in the develop- ment of Seattle, and has already attained a posi- tion of trust and confidence among her most representative citizens.

M ATTHIAS SPURGEON was born in Cedar county, Iowa, on the 22d of April, 1838. His parent were Elias and Jane (Likens) Spurgeon; the former was a native of Ohio, but of Irish extraction; the lat- ter was also born in the Buckeye State. The father was a farmer and went to Iowa in 1830, and settled in Cedar county close to Muscatine, where Matthias was reared to the age of four- teen. when, his parents having both died, he removed to Oregon with his nnele, making the journey by the old emigrant route, via Fort Laramie, following the north side of the Platte to the Dalles, and down the Columbia river, the families going down the river in canoes with the Indians and the men of the party driving the cattle on the trail. They went to Vancouver, Washington, where Mr. Spurgeon lived first with William Hendrickson at the mouth of the Williamette and the next spring went to work for his neighbor, William Dillon, and remained with him until he was twenty-two years old, when he took a four months' trip through the mining country of Idaho. He then returned and went to work for Mr. Dillon, but the next spring went east of the mountains and freighted from the Dalles to Wallula and from there to Lewis- town, Idaho, for the remainder of the season. He went back that fall and remained most of the winter with Dillon and the next spring rented the Petrand land claim and has been there ever since. In 1865 he bought a portion of this property and in 1874 the remainder of the tract, which in all includes 280 acres. He has mostly pasture and meadow.

Mr. Spurgeon was married here on October 21, 1877, to Miss Olive Dillon, a daughter of Jeremiah and Roxy (Brooks) Dillon. She was born in Oregon, near Portland. They have four children, viz .: Ella Ann, Mary Jane, John and Matthias,

Thomas Burke

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.

Mr. Spurgeon is a Republican politically, but takes no active part in politics. He is a member of the Fruit Valley Grange, No. 80, and was Treasurer for three years.

He is the oldest settler, except Mr. Seward, in this part of the country, and has, of course, seen many changes since coming. When he came, he worked for the only white man in that section, which is now thickly settled.

J UDGE THOMAS BURKE, of Seattle, thongh in no sense a pioneer, has probably done as innch as any other man to advance the city's growth, to establish her enterprises on a sound basis, and to develop her educational interests. It is therefore appropriate that hon- orable mention be made of him in this volume, and it is with pleasure that we present the fol- lowing sketch of his life.

Judge Thomas Burke was born in Clinton county, New York, in 1849. His father was an honest farmer of moderate means, and the Judge was in no sense reared in the lap of lux- ury. Up to his eleventh year his father provided him with a home and allowed him the privileges of the public schools; after that date young Thomas cared for and educated himself, provid. ing the means with which to pursue his studies by hard work on the farm and in later years by teaching school. Thus he alternated labor and study until he graduated at the seminary at Ypsilanti, Michigan, in 1870. He then entered Ann Arbor University, and by teaching school a part of each year was enabled to remain in that institution two years. While there he com- menced the study of law. In 1872 he entered the office of Frank Holmes, of Marshall, Michi- gan, and continued his legal studies until 1874, when he was admitted to the bar. He was then appointed City Attorney of Marshall, and filled the office for one year.

In the spring of 1875 Mr. Burke came to Seattle, then a straggling little village of 1.200 people, and here he at once engaged in the prac- tice of law with Judge J. J. McGilvra, United States District Attorney for the Territory under President Lincoln. This partnership was con- tinned eighteen months, when Mr. Burke was elected Probate Judge of King county, on the Democratic ticket, though the county was about 700 Republican majority. During his

term of office he was appointed by Governor Elisha P. Ferry as a member of the Territorial Board of Education, and in that capacity lie succeeded in breaking the combination of Eastern publishers of school books, and secured the exchange of new books for the old free of charge. He also served as Chairman of the Board of Education of the city, and while act- ing as such he set on foot a project to erect new school buildings upon the modern system of construction and ventilation in place of the inadequate buildings then in use. As Probate Judge his rulings were approved by both the profession and the people, and in 1878 he was re-elected to that office. Politically, he became the acknowledged leader of the Democratic party, and in 1880-'82 he was the nominee of that party as delegate to Congress, but, although he received a large complimentary vote, he was unable to overcome the large Republican ma- jority. Since 1882 he has not been a candidate for any office before the people, although con- tinuing to have a warm interest in political matters. While taking an active part in public affairs, Judge Burke has in no sense neglected his profession, to which he has been most en- thusiastically devoted. While conducting a general practice, his attention of late years has been chiefly given to corporate law, which he now makes a specialty.

In 1887 he was one of the organizers and pro- moters of the Seattle, Lake Shore & Eastern Railroad. Ile served as Director and Attorney of the same until 135 miles of road were com- pleted and equipped and sold to the Northern Pacific Railroad Company by the Eastern stock- holders, who controlled a majority of the stock. He also assisted in the organization of the Seattle & Montana Railroad, and worked for the selection of Seattle as the Pacific terminus of the Great Northern system, he being retained as consul of the Washington department.

In 1887-'88 two chief justices of the Territory had died in quick succession, and the docket had become crowded almost to hopelessness. In their emergency the members of the bar turned to Judge Burke for assistance, and, without his solicitation or knowledge, their unanimous pe- tition to President Cleveland secured Judge Bnrke's appointment as Chief Justice, which he accepted with the express understanding that when the bulk of work should be completed he might resign. A few months brought order ont of chaos, the over-burdened docket was re-

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lieved, many of the most important cases were disposed of, and the Judge resigned in April. 1889. As the Seattle bar had united in urging his appointment, so all united in regretting his retirement.

During Judge Burke's residence in Seattle he has been a steady invester in city real estate. much of which he has improved for residence and business purposes. While crecting many buildings, his crowning effort was in January, 1891, when he completed the Burke building, corner of Second and .Marion streets, at an ex- pense of $260,000. This is one of the finest business buildings in the city, in both exterior and interior appointments. "Hle ist also associ- ated with ex- Mayor John Leary and Captain William R. Ballard in 600 acres of land on the north shore of Sahnon Bay. In 1887 this traet of land was a dense wilderness, but now (1892) it has a manufacturing city of 2,500 population. In order to develop the traet an electric-car line was built to Seattle, at an expense of $350,- 000. The land was eleared and' mannfactories were subsidized by the presentation of land for building purposes.

Judge Burke was married in Seattle, in 1880, to Miss Carrie E., danghter of the Hon. Jolin J. MeGilvra.

Throughout his entire career, the Judge has been actively enlisted in every movement having for its object the npbuilding and advancement of the interests of Seattle. During the long struggle of Seattle for existenee he was one of its most hopeful and courageous citizens. He was one of the leaders in its protest against the aggressions of the Northern Pacific, and he has ever been in complete accord with the most ad- vanced thought of its people. In every respect be has been a Seattle man, and his name must be enrolled among the names of those who have made the eity great.

W ILLIAM TIMBS GARDINER was born at Stony Stratford, Buckingham- shire. England, May 2, 1847. He is a son of John and Sarah (Marston) Gardiner. John Gardiner was a draper, or, as we under- stand it in this country, a commercial traveler, his son followed the same calling for twelve years in England, four years and a half of which time he traveled on a bieyele. Previous to the

latter's experience as a commercial traveler, he served an apprenticeship to the printer's trade, entering a printer's office when he was thirteen years old. After learning that trade he worked at it four years in England.

Mr. Gardiner dates his arrival on American soil in July, 1883. He came up the St Law- renee river, stopped at several points, and fin- ally came on across the country to Sacramento, where he visited his brother for a short time. and from whence he eame north to Puget Sound, reaching Seattle in September. A short time afterward he located his present claim. Since coming to Seattle in the fall and winter of 1883-4 he worked at his trade, being employed on the different Seattle papers. For two years he assisted in the survey of the Seattle, Lake Shore & Eastern Railroad.

Mr. Gardiner was married in August, 1879. to Miss Louisa Downing, a native of England. They have had eight children, two of whom, twins, are deceased. Those living are: Margaret, Alexander, Sarah Jessie, Mabel, Harold Down- ing and William Kenneth.

Mr. Gardiner's bieyele riding has already been referred to. He has traveled more than 24,000 miles on his wheel, on one cceasion mak- ing a trip to Paris on it. He is not a politieian and has never been an office-seeker, but he takes an active interest in local affairs, and is now serving as School Director.

W ILLIAM II. WYCKOFF was born in New Jersey on September 23, 1843, his parents being William M. and Elizabeth (Taylor) Wyckoff, both of whom are natives of New Jersey, their ancestors having been among the earliest settlers there. When William H. was nine years old the family re- moved to Ohio, where he was brought up and educated until eighteen years old, when he eu- listed in the United States army, with Company 1, Ninety-eighth Ohio, at Marietta. Ilis first engagement was at Iloover's Gap. Ile was through the whole eampaign and was with Sherman in his memorable march to the sea and his triumphal entry into Washington. He was mnstered out on June 10, 1865, at Columbus, Ohio. In September, 1866, he located in Iowa and bonght a farm there, where he remained six years and then removed to Kansas, locating near

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.

Newton. He lived there six years. In 1888 he came to Washington, and located in the Green valley, where he has remained ever since. Here he is engaged in farming, and has ten acres of his farm planted in hops.

Mr. Wyckoff was married on March 5, 1572. in Worth county, Missouri, to Miss Margaret Matthews, of Pennsylvania. They have four children, viz .: William M., Archibald II., Agnes O., and Mary H. Ilis eldest son, Will- iam M., belongs to Camp U. S. Grant, No. 6, Sons of Veterans.

Mr. Wyckoff's father now resides in Puyal- lup. His mother died in 1885, aged seventy- three years.

H G. CHAMBERLIN. of Chamberlin Flat, Klickitat county, Washington, was born in the city of Chicago, Illinois, March 12. 1862. a son of Griffin and Jennie A. (Cady) Chamberlin, natives of the State of Massachusetts. The family emigrated to the i and received a limited education in the old- Pacific coast in 1864, making the trip around Cape Horn. After remaining in California only a short time, they proceeded to Washing- ton and located in Klickitat county. There Griffin Chamberlin operated a sawmill in early days. Later he and his brother went into the timber, ent lumber and constructed a sail-boat to navigate the Columbia river. They freighted lumber up the river, making large profits. When steamers were put on the upper river their business was crippled, so they withdrew from the contest and devoted their time to get- ting out lumber for the market. In 1872 Mr. Chamberlin took np a homestead on the flat which afterward took the family name, but con- tinned his interest in the great milling industry of this section. He ran the old Whitney mill eight miles from Goldendale, the oldest mill in the county, for a number of years.

II. G. Chamberlin was reared in Klickitat county and received his education in the com- mon schools of the neighborhood. Since arriv- ing at manhood he has been largely engaged in the raising of live-stock, and although he does not deal so extensively in cattle as heretofore, he still turus much of his hay into beef: he has done much toward improving the breed of horses in this section, and has some fine specimens np- on his ranch.

Politically, he affiliates with the Democratic party; he is a member of Pleasant Valley Farmers' Alliance and is actively interested in this organization. He has represented the peo- ple of district No. 3. as Road Supervisor, and is now serving a third term: in this capacity he has given entire satisfaction to the public. . 1 man of sterling worth and good business ability he is recognized as one of the most substantial citizens of Klickitat county.

P HILIP H. LEWIS, deceased, late a resi- dent at 918 Fourth street, Seattle, Wash- ington, was a pioneer of 1850. He was born at Warner's Corners, Illinois, in February. 1826. His parents, Paul and Annie (Stewart) Lewis, were natives of South Caro- lina and Tennessee respectively. Paul Lewis moved to Illinois about 1$18, and was there married and continued an agricultural life.

Philip II. was reared upon his father's farm fashioned log school-house of that period. At the age of sixteen years he struck out in life for himself, was engaged in farming and milling until 1850, and then joined the great tide of emigration on its way across the plains to C'ali- fornia. Alter a journey of six months, he land ed at . Hangtown " now Placerville-and en- gaged in mining in Hangtown gulch. One year of hard work with limited success was enough experience at that place for him, and he left the mines, went to San Francisco and embarked for Portland. At the latter place he joined a com- pany of seventy men, purchased the brig, Eagle. and with necessary supplies started for the mines on Queen Charlotte's island. Duly ar- riving, they were disappointed at the prospects and returned, via Puget Sound, Olympia and the trail. to Portland, where he found employ- ment in a sawmill. A few months later his de- sire for mining returned, and he again visited the mines of California. and for some years mined and prospected through California, south- ern Oregon, Idaho, British Columbia and the Sound country. In 1859, through the guidance of an Indian, he discovered the New Castle, Sauk and C'edar river coal mines, and then pre- empted and homesteaded 320 acres, which cov- ered his discovery. Hle then built a log cabin and made some little improvements and opened

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a road or trail to his mines. The first coal was brought out on his back and taken to Seattle. In 1864 he became associated with others in building a wagon road to the mines, and com- menced developing; but the difficulty of trans- portation was so great that, after determining the richness of the mine, operations ceased for a number of years, and in 1874 Mr. Lewis sold his interest. He then came to Seattle and in- vested in city property, and continued in the real-estate business. He owned considerable city property, both improved and unimproved, 3,000 acres of land near Baker City, Oregon, be- sides valuable timber and farming lands in coun- ties bordering on Puget Sound.

Ile died January 26, 1893, ummarried, and a member of no societies, was independent in politics, principle rather than party governing his vote. Hle was an absolutely honest man.

J MEACHAM, a prominent business man of Olympia, and one whose career has been an eventful one, was born in Christian eounty, Kentucky, March 10, 1818. His par- ents, Jerry and Mary (West) Meacham, were natives of that same State and passed their lives in agricultural pursuits.

Losing his mother when an infant, the sub- ject of our sketch was taken by his grandfather Meacham, with whom he remained until he was ten years old. His father having married in the meantime, he then returned home. Not getting on well with his stepmother, however, he remained only two years, when, young as he was, he started out in the world to take care of himself. Going to Hopkinsville, he bound him- self to Thompson & Coleman, furniture mann- facturers, to remain until he was twenty-one and learn the trade. Being naturally bright and active, three years of service taught him the general principles of the business, and he ran away to Nashville, Tennessee, where he hired to Tom Benton, who was engaged in the same business, and remained four years, completing his trade. He then returned to Hopkinsville and to his old employers, who were glad to see him enter their service, and he continued with them until December, 1849. At that time he went to Brenham, Washington county, Texas, where he ran a saloon two years, after which he

opened a furniture store and successfully con- ducted the same until 1854. Then he sold out and started for California. He made the journey across the plains, via Salt Lake, the Cherokee trail and Carson valley, and landed at " Ilangtown," where he began mining, and con- tinued in different localities near there, with fair success, until the Fraser river excitement, when he started with hundreds of others for that district. From San Francisco he journeyed by schooner to Victoria, then by the Harrison river to the upper Fraser and Cariboo mines, and continued mining for two years, but with limited success, always with the anticipation of suddenly "striking it rich."

In 1860 Mr. Meacham returned to Victoria and came down the Sound to Olympia, where he followed varied occupations until 1875. That year he began clerking in the furniture store of J. C. Horr, and remained with him three years. In 1878 he made a trip to Alaska, spending one year in prospecting along the Stikeen river and its tributaries, finding a rough country, cold weather and glaciers, but little gold. In 1879 we again find him entering Mr. Horr's furniture store at Olympia, and in 1882 he bought a one- half interest in the establishment, forming the partnership of J. Meacham & Company, and assuming the entire management of the busi- ness, carrying a general line of office and house- hold furniture. They are located on Columbia street, between Third and Fourth, where they own a lot, 60 x 240 feet, their store building covering 30 x 90 feet.

Mr. Meacham is unmarried and is a member of no societies. He is a genial, pleasant gentle- man, and as he expresses it is a " Democrat from his boots up."

A E. HAUSER, Manager of the Pacific Manufacturing Company, of Seattle, a man of superior executive ability and high moral character, respected alike for his enterprise and worth as a citizen, was born in Winstead, North Carolina, June 27, 1848. He comes of one of the oldest and best known families of the Old North State, his ancestors having settled in Winstead prior to 1750. IIis parents, Ezra and Mary (McCollum) Hauser, were natives of the same commonwealth, of

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An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 124

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