An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 127

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 127

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Titus sold his interest to Edward Harkness, and the firm of Allen & Harkness continued the same industries for one year. They then pur- chased the steamboat Capital, which they re- built and refitted and operated about the head- waters of the Sound, doing a general passenger, freight and jobbing business. Subsequently they traded for the steamer Daisy, then pur- chased the old Miller sawmill, the pioneer mill of Olympia, removed the boiler from the Daisy to the mill and engaged in the lumber busi- ness, the mill then having a capacity of about 4,000 feet of lumber per day. With the gradual increase of business, they began improving their plant and facilities until the capacity was increased to 50,000 feet per day. In 1890 they started the Olympia Foundry & Machine Shop and operated the same about six months. The enterprise was then sold to a stock company which broke up about eighteen months after- ward, whereupon Mr. Allen purchased the en- tire business and resnmed operations.

In 1891 he purchased the interest of Mr. Harkness in the lumber mill, and continued the business alone until June, 1892, when he con- solidated with Springer & White, manufacturers of sash, doors, shingles and builders' supplies, and thus formed the Olympia Door & Lumber Company, with C. H. Springer, president; George S. Allen, vice-president, and Allen White, secretary. They continue the manu- facture of lumber, shingles and builders' sup- plies, with a cedar mill at Elma, Washington.

Mr. Allen was married in Olympia in 1877, to Miss Annie Farquhar, a native of California, and a daughter of A. Farquhar. They have six children, namely: Harry F., Mary A., Georgia, Benjamin J., Joseph S. and Bessie.

Socially, Mr. Allen is a member of the I. O. O. F. Hle owns valnable real estate in the city, and through his progressive enterprise has done much toward developing the town of his adop- tion.

D AVID K. STEVENS, one of the ablest lawyers at the bar of Washington, and a member of the firm of Stevens, Seymour & Sharpstein, at Tacoma, was born in Fitch- burg, Massachusetts, August 12, 1860. His parents, Samuel and Sarah (Fay) Stevens, were also natives of New England, the former born in Marshfield, Massachusetts, and the latter in

Youcry C. Blalock.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.

Barre, Massachusetts. Both descended from early New England ancestors, the Stevens fam- ily being an old one on the south shore of Massachusetts. The father of the subject of this sketch was for many years associated with the Old Colony Railroad, esteemed alike for his eminent business qualifications and for his worth as a man.

Mr. Stevens, of this notice, was reared and received his preliminary education in his native city, graduating at the Fitchburg high school in 1877. In 1878 he went to St. Albans, Ver- mont, where he entered the office of Henry R. Start, then State's Attorney. He subsequently went to the Boston University, where he com- pleted a course, graduating in 1881. He then entered the office of the dean of the University, Judge Bennett, and in the following September was admitted to the bar.

He began his practice at Taunton, Massachu- setts, but soon formed a partnership, the follow- ing January, with Charles H. Blood, which firm afterward removed to Boston. Induced by the liberal opportunities afforded in the Northwest to men of energy and ability, Mr. Stevens, in December, 1889, came to Washington and cast his lot with Tacoma, opening an office in that city, in partnership with Judge Theodore L. Stiles, on April 1, 1890. This firm continued with marked success until the election of Judge Stiles to the bench of the Supreme Court of the State. The dissolution of this partnership was at once followed by the formation of another equally strong, comprising Mr. Stevens, W. II. Doolittle and W. II. Pritchard, and some time later B. S. Grosscup joined them. In Septem- ber, 1891, Mr. Doolittle (now Congressman from Washington) retired, and Charles W. Seymour joined the firm, which remained unchanged until the fall of 1892, when Mr. Pritchard was elected to the Superior beneh, while Mr. Gross- cup accepted permanent employment in Everett, necessitating his removal to that city. Then W. C. Sharpstein became associated with Messrs. Stevens and Seymour, while F. S. Blattner, who had been for three years in charge of the com- mereial department of the firm, was taken into partnership, under the present title of Stevens, Seymour & Sharpstein, which has existed since December 1, 1892. This firm, under its vari- ons transformations, has enjoyed marked suc- cess, much of its prosperity being attributable to Mr. Stevens' reputation for uprightness and efficiency.

A stanch Republican in politics, Mr. Stevens cannot be called a politician in the strict accepta. tion of that term, but is rather entitled to the name of statesman, liis association with u.en having been signalized by the political advance- ment of all with whom he came in contact. IIe is an active member of the Bar Association, and socially belongs to the Union Club of Tacoma.

November 25, 1884, Mr. Stevens was married, in Vermont, to Miss Jennie E. Waite, a native of that State, and a descendant of an old and honored family. They have one child, Ruth, a dainty little maiden of seven summers (1893).

An able lawyer, courteous gentleman, and honored citizen of Tacoma, Mr. Stevens has a bright prospect before him, and enjoys the best wishes of all for his continued success and hap- piness.

D R. YANCY C. BLALOCK, a prominent medical practitioner of Walla Walla, was born in Mitchell County, North Carolina, August 3, 1859. When our subject was but two years of age, his father, Dr. Nel- son G. Blalock, of this city, moved to Illinois, where they remained until 1873. They then came to Walla Walla, Washington, where Yancey engaged in work on a farm, and in a sawmill, receiving only a common-school edi- eation. In 1880 he began the study of medi- cine, under the preceptorship of his father, later attended the Jefferson Medical College of Phil- adelphia, and received his diploma in the spring of 1884. Dr. Blalock then began the practice of medicine with his father in this city, but he now follows his profession alone. The Doctor served as Health Officer of this city from 1887 to 1890, was elected Coroner in 1888, re-elected in 1890, and his term expired in January, 1893.

In 1883 our subject was united in marriage with Miss Julia Sanderson, a native of Walla Walla, and a daughter of Henry Sanderson. Mrs. Blalock died in 1885, leaving one son, Jesse, now a bright boy of seven years. The Doctor was afterward married to Miss Lillie Ballon, a native of Umatilla county, Oregon. Dr. Blalock is a member of the Masonic order, has filled the offices in the blue lodge, served as High Priest in the Royal Arch Chapter for the past three years, and is at present Grand Secre-

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tary of Grand Chapter, and Grand Recorder of Grand Commandery. Politieally, he affiliates with the Democratic party. Dr. Blalock has a beautiful home in the city of Walla Walla.

B ENJAMIN VINCENT, manufacturer of and dealer in boots and shoes at Olym- pia, was born in Wallace, Cumberland county, Nova Scotia, in 1834.

Ilis parents, Joshua, and Hannah (Treen) Vincent, were also gatives of Cumberland county, Nova Scotia, and were descendants of the refugees who were there prior to the Revo- lutionary war. Joshua Vincent was by trade and occupation a millwright and was also inter- ested in agrien)tural pursuits. Hle superintended the construction of saw and flour mills all over the province.

Benjamin Vincent was the first born in a family of twelve children; was reared on the farm and educated in the schools near his home. When he was twenty years old he started out in life for himself. Going to Boston, Massa- chusetts, he found employment as driver of a milk wagon, and was thus engaged for three years. Then he went to Medway, Massachu- setts, and in a large boot and shoe factory learned the trade of crimping boots.

In 1866 Mr. Vineent made a prospeeting tour of the Pacific coast, coming by steamer and the Nicaragua route to San Francisco, thence to Portland and from there across the mount- ains on foot to Seattle to join his cousin, L. A. Treen, who came to the coast in 1865, via the Strait of Magellan, with the Asa Mercer colony that made settlement in the vicinity of of Seattle. Mr. Treen was manufacturing boots and shoes at Seattle, but in the spring of 1867 moved his factory to Olympia. Mr. Vin- cent was in his employ until 1869, when he re- turned East. The following year he brought his family to Olympia, and he again entered the factory, this time as a partner with Mr. Treen. At the end of one year the partnership was dissolved. Mr. Vincent theu formed a co- partnership with George B. Capen, opened a manufactory of boots and shoes, and after three years purchased the entire interest, having since conducted the establishment alone. He also carries a large maunfactured stock in all grades and finish.

Mr. Vineent was married in Medway, Massa- ehnsetts, in 1864, to Miss Samantha Darling, a native of New York, born on Grindstone island in the St. Lawrence river. She died in 1886, leaving four children, George, Benjamin, Jr., Philip and Mabel. In 1888 he was married in Olympia to Mrs. Laura A. (Wooster) Hood, a native of Maine.

Socially, Mr. Vincent is a member of the F. & A. M. and the A. O. U. W. He owns valu- able residence property in Olympia, and is to- day the only boot and shoe manufacturer in this city. He devotes his whole time and energy to his business affairs, and to his natural ability, his integrity and his perseverance is due the success he has attained.

M RS. SAMANTHA CROLL, nee Paek- wood, is the daughter of William and Rhoda ( Prothers ) Packwood, well known pioneers of Thurston county, Washington, Mrs. Croll was born in Monroe county, Missouri, June 10, 1836, and crossed the plains with her parents in 1844, experiene- ing all of the hardships and some of the great- est suffering incidental to frontier life. In 1854, at the age of eighteen, she was first mar- ried to S. N. Woodruff, also a pioneer of Wash- ington. They had three children, all of whom are now living and married, viz .: W. H. Wood- ruff, Mary E. Mckenzie and Ella J. Olson. Mrs. Woodruff obtained a divorce from her first husband, and then conducted her farm iu a most able manner, her work comparing favor- ably with that of any man in her vicinity- which faet is not mentioned as peculiar, but as evidence of her energy and determination, which were supplemented by an intelligent com- prehension of her work. She continued the management of the farm herself until her mar- riage to Jacob Croll, in 1868, when he began to assist her in its care. Jacob Croll, also a pio- neer of Washington, was born in Pennsylvania, December 3, 1828, and was a son of II. and Elizabeth (Schull) Croll, also natives of the Keystone State. In an early day Jacob Croll left the State of his birth and went to the State of Wisconsin, where he fol- lowed the lumber business until 1852, when he crossed the plains to Olympia, Washington. Here also he followed lumbering, being em-

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ployed in a sawmill. In 1853 he took a dona- tion claim of 640 acres, at the same time pursu- ing his work in the mill at Tumwater. IIe continued to be thus occupied until the out- break of the Indian war, when he was a volun- teer in the service of his country, most of his service in the war being in eastern Washington, although he participated in one skirmish at Mound Prairie, in the western part of the Ter- ritory, doing efficient work in the protection of his adopted home. The remainder of his life was passed in agricultural pursuits, his death occurring in 1886, in the fifty-eighth year of his age. Ile left a family and many friends to mourn his loss. He was a man of integrity, energy and ability, a good linsband, indulgeut father and public spirited citizen.

He left a widow and three children: Lena E., now Mrs. Johnson; Lucy B. Croll, who is at- tending the art school in San Francisco, and gives fair promise of becoming a celebrated art- ist, as her first work is far beyound some of our popular artists; George Croll is married and lives with his mother, the subject of this sketch. He has one daughter, Dorothy Croll, and thus may we find in this home four generations: Rhoda Packwood, the great grandmother; Sa- mantha Croll, the grandmother; Mrs. George Croll, the mother; and the little child, Dorothy Croll,-a circumstance of unusual occurence.

Mrs. Samantha Croll has a large and finely cultivated farm, which is well stocked, and im- proved, with a good residence and substantial barns,-the whole breathing an air of thrift and contentment, the typical home of an intelligent and refined woman.

J ULIUS HORTON, of Georgetown, King county, Washington, was born in Cather- ine township, New York, March 15, 1834, a son of Darius and IFannah (Olmsted) Horton, of New England birth and Puritan ancestry. They removed to De Kalb county, Illinois, with the pioneers of 1840, located on wild land, but reclaimed and improved a fine farm.

Julius IForton attended the schools of De Kalb county, but by reason of the death of his father, the responsibilities of life were assumed at an early age, and his efforts were employed in assisting and caring for his mother. He was engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1862, and

from that time until 1869 conducted a small country store. In the latter year he closed out his interests and with his wife and two children started for Seattle, where his brother, Dexter Horton, resided, having been one of the pio- neers and influential business men of this city. Our subject crossed the continent by rail to San Francisco, and thence by sailing vessel to Seat- tle, twenty-one days having been consumed on the voyage, landing September 3, 1869. He first purchased a one-half interest in 160 acres of land on the Dwamish river, which was a part of the original donation claim of Luther M. Collins, but at that time owned by William II. Shandy. Mr. Horton rented his land and re- sided in Seattle until 1871, after which he fol- lowed agricultural pursuits, growing a variety of farmi products, and subsequently engaging in the hop business. With the demand for prop- erty in 1880, he began selling his land in acre tracts, and in 1890 filed the first towu site, which he named Georgetown, and which has since become a prosperous settlement.

Mr. Horton was married in DeKalb county, Illinois, in 1861, to Miss Annie E. Bigelow, a native of Michigan. They have four children: George M. a practicing physician of Seattle; Dora H., now Mrs Frank Ball; Maud M. and Howard D. In political matters Mr. Horton is a Republican, has served as Assessor for King county for eight years, and is now Assistant Postmaster at Georgetown, with his daughter, Dora H. Ball, as principal. He is also a stockholder and director of the Puget Sound Savings Bank. Death has never entered the Horton family, although their lives have been attended with the usual privations and suffer- ings of the heroic pioneer. In 1890 Mr. Hor- ton built in Georgetown a handsome home, where the family now reside, in the enjoyment of every comfort, and surrounded by friends made dear to them by experience and associa- tion.

H ON. THOMAS J. ANDERS, the first Chief Justice of Washington, of which State he was a pioneer, contributing his share toward its development and moral welfare was born near the town of Republic, in Seneca county, Ohio, April 4, 1838. Ilis father, William II. Anders, was a native of Vir- ginia and was reared on a farm. In early mau-

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hood the latter removed to Ohio, where he was married and was engaged in farming. In 1856, he joined the westward tide of emigration, re- moving to La Crosse county, Wisconsin, and there the father followed the lumber business through life.

Thomas J. Anders, the subject of this sketch, improved the educational advantages offered by the district schools, and then, with limited means, but with an indomitable desire for an education he entered the Seneca County Acad- emy, located at Republic, which was at that time the representative school of the State. Gifted with an active and retentive mind, his progress was very rapid as resulting from his indefatigable perseverance, and, at the age of seventeen, he was qualified to teach in the country schools in the vicinity of Republic, and subsequently taught in the Academy. Ile was also elected a member of the School Board of Republic and although but seventeen years of age, his disciplined mind and argumentative ability placed him, in educational interests, be- side those of advanced years. This ambitious youth spent his time out of school hours in the proseention of special studies and in reading Kent and Blackstone, with a view of ultimately making the law his profession. As an evidence of his thorough work in this direction is the fact that, in 1859, he entered the law depart- ment of Michigan University, at which he grad- uated two years later among the first graduates of that department. This self-reliant young man then removed to Wisconsin, where he was occupied two winters in teaching school and in the prosecution of his profession, as occasion permitted. But his arduous studies of previous years and the close confinement of school work began to tell even on his adamantine frame. He sought a variation by roughing it to Mon- tana, making the trip thither with ox teains, the only mode of transportation in that day, and engaged in mining in various capacities in that State. He remained there until 1871 and then crossed the intervening mountains to Washing- ton Territory, where, in November, he settled in Walla Walla, opening his first office for the practice of his profession. This town was then the chief city of the Territory, having a popula- tion of 2,500 inhabitants. Mr. Anders' advance- ment was merited and rapid. In 1872, he was elected Proseenting Attorney for the district covering Yakima and the easteru counties to the British line. When holding court in remote

distriets, the judicial functionaries formned them- selves into camping parties and lived in tents. This experience was not withont its enjoyments, having, at least, the charm of novelty, and the town's people frequently entertained them with a dance just prior to adjournment. Mr. Anders served continuously for six years in his capacity of Prosecuting Attorney and was then elected City Attorney, which office he resigned after a few months of service. In 1886, he was again elected Prosecuting Attorney, to which position he was re-elected in 1888, resigning that office the following year to accept that of Chief Jus- tice of the State, to which he was unanimously elected by the Supreme Court, and which he filled with eminent ability and honor. At the general election in November, 1892, Judge Anders was re-elected as a member of the Su- preme Court, for a term of six years.

Judge Anders was married at Walla Walla, in 1873, to Miss Viola Hull, an intelligent and estimable lady, a native of California and danghter of Orley Hull, one of the argonauts of that State. They have had five children, four of whom survive: Orley H., deceased; William H .; Imogene; Thomas J .; and Grace.

The Judge was among the early members of the first lodge organized in the Territory by the Knights of Pythias.

Judge Anders has by undeviating adherence to duty in all the walks of life gained not only the highest respect of the judiciary throughout the Northwest, but the affectionate regard of the en- tire people.

D R. JAMES DORR, of Walla Walla, Washington, was born in York county, Maine. December 27, 1829, a son of Samuel and Eliza (Stackpule) Dorr, the former a native of Maine and the latter of New Hamp- shire. The father, a freighter by occupatiou, died, April 18, 1845, aged thirty-nine years, leaving nine children, our subject being the second in order of birth. The mother died, July 5, 1888, at the age of eighty years. Five of their children are now living.

James, the subject of this sketch, received only a limited education, and when only a boy was employed as weaver in a cotton mill, follow- ing that occupation until twenty five years old. Having a good voice, he then engaged in teaching music, and also in learning the photographer's

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trade, following both occupations until 1854. Mr. Dorr then spent a short time in San Fran- cisco, next went to Virginia City, Nevada, and in 1869 returned to the former city. In the fall of 1869 he entered a dental college in Boston, remaining in that city four years, since which time he has resided in Walla Walla, Washing- ton. Mr. Dorr now carries a full line of mus- ical instruments, pianos and organs, in connec- tion with his photography business. He has built up an extensive trade; also owns a ranch in Walla Walla county, and his residence in this city.

The Doctor was married September 15, 1861, to Miss Emma J. Frost, a native of Dexter, Maine. She died November 22, 1888, at the age of forty-eight years. In May, 1891, Mr. Dorr was united in marriage with Miss Lizzie Densmore, a native of Canada, who came to Walla Walla, Washington, in 1884. Our sub- ject was formerly identified with the Republi- ean party, having cast his first presidential vote for John C. Fremont, but he now aets with the Prohibition party. He is now a candidate for the office of Justice of the Peace. Socially, he is a member of the Masonic order, Bine Mount- ain Lodge, No. 13, of Walla Walla, in which he has filled many positions of trust. Mr. Dorr is now sixty-three years of age, and has never taken a drink of alcoholic liquor or used tobacco in any form. He still has a very fine voice, and gives great attention to his music, both instrumental and vocal.

D R. J. F. HARRIS, the leading physician of Medical Lake, Washington, was born in Iowa in 1853, the oldest of a family of six children. His parents, John Q. and Emeline (Shelton) Harris, natives of Indiana, moved to lowa at an early day, where his father was a prominent teacher for many years. He was by trade a carpenter and millwright. Ifis death occurred in Missouri in 1865, after a serv- ice of three years and four months in the army. The mother passed away in April, 1891.

After completing his course in the public schools, the subject of our sketch began the study of medicine in Missouri. This was in 1876. He graduated in 1882 at the Ameri- can Medical College, St. Louis, and at once be- gan the practice of his profession in Missouri,

continuing there until 1889, when he came to Medical Lake, Washington. Here he has since conducted a general practice, giving special at- tention to the study and use of electricity. His many estimable qualities and his thorough knowledge of his profession at once won for the Doctor the confidence of the people at Medical Lake, where he has made many warm friends. He is public-spirited and generous, ever ready to aid in the advancement of any measure that has for its object the welfare of his vicinity.

Dr. Harris was married in 1872 to Miss Mary B. Griffin, who was born in Kentucky and reared in Missouri. They have three child- ren: W. A., Omer E. and Elmina V. Mrs. Harris is a member of the Congregational Church. The Doctor is both a Mason and an Odd Fellow.

J OHN KENNEY, a highly respected farm- er of Klickitat county, residing near Gold- endale on the Little Klickitat river, is the subject of the following biographical notice. Ile has lived on the Pacific coast since 1856, and has been a resident of this county for more than twenty-three years. Ilis latch-string has always been within easy reach of the stranger, and the red-man has found in him a warm and trusted friend. His native country is Ireland : there he was born in county Galway, October 6, 1820, the son of William and Ann (Molier) Kenney, and the eldest of a family of fifteen children. In early manhood he crossed the sea to America, his parents following him later, about the year 1864, and settling in Pennsyl- vania, where they passed the remainder of their days.

John Kenney's first home in the land of his adoption was in Greenwich, Connecticut, where he was employed in ship carpentry for a period of two years; thence he went to Virginia, and remained in the South until 1855. While a resident of Baltimore, Maryland, he enlisted in the United States army, joining Company 1, Ninth Infantry. His first services were at Fortress Monroe, where he sustained, in the conflagration, injuries from which he has never recovered. His command was ordered to the West, and arrived at Fort Vancouver, March 6, 1856; he was honorably discharged the follow- ing year. After leaving the army he rented on

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Government island a tract of land which he cultivated for five years. Then he came to Washington and took up 160 acres of land in Clarke county; this he sold and came to his present farm in 1870; he has 260 acres of fine farming land, 160 being in an advanced state of cultivation; in 1879 he set ten and one-half aeres to poplar and other trees, and now has a magnificent grove, some of the trees being fully fifty feet in height. Eager to develop every resource of the land he began the cultivation of many kinds of fruit, and has one of the choicest orchards in the county; he also enjoys the distinction of being the pioneer fruit-grower.

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An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 127

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