An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 135

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 135

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.

Mayor of Tacoma, and, at the ensuing election, was chosen, by a large majority, as chief execu- tive of his favorite city. In this capacity he has instituted needed reforms, and infused en- ergy and prosperity into the municipal govern- ment.

Mr. Huson was one of the organizers of the Northern Land and Development Company, and planned the railroad to South Bend (where this company has extensive interests) and also the road to Gray's Harbor.

Since 1890 Mr. Hnson has been extensively engaged in irrigation enterprises. Ile is presi- dent of the Yakima Irrigation and Improvement Company, which owns 22,000 acres in Yakima county and has a vast canal, practically com- pleted, which covers nearly all the land, their developments having cost about $350,000. He was one of the organizers of the Citizens' Na- tional Bank, of Tacoma, in which he has been Vice-President since its inception. He is also a director in the First National Bank, of Sonth Bend, of which he was one of the organizers. In fact, there are but few successful enterprises in the vicinity which have not felt the impelling force of his progressive disposition and able services, and he deserves and enjoys the best wishes of a large community.

March 1, 1892, Mr. Huson was married at Portland, Oregon. to Miss Lavinia Wharley, an intelligent and accomplished lady, a native of Oregon, and belonging to an old and influential family.

It is to such men as Mr. Huson that Washing- ton owes her proud position among the sister States; the energy of her inhabitants having placed the flag of success on the ramparts of prosperity.

P HILIP CARWELL, who has been prom- inently identified with the industrial de- velopment of Klickitat county, is the subject of the following biographical sketch. He was born in that portion of the State of Pennsylvania now included in Mon- tour county, February 11, 1830, a son of John and Rosa (Trainor) Carwell, natives of Ireland. He was reared at Danville in his native connty, and there learned the trade of carriage-making with George Crist. In 1849 he drifted with the westward tide of emigration as far as Ill-

inois, and remained at Ellisville, Fulton county, until the following year. In 1850 he again set his face toward the setting sun; in company with eight young men he left Ellisville April 1, and journeying via the Fort Laramie route and Carson he arrived at Placerville the latter part of August. He engaged in mining within eight or ten miles of this point, but at the end of a month went to Sacramento; thence he re- turned to Placerville and when the Indians be- came troublesome in the fall joined 600 other volunteers under Colonel Bill Rogers, and served in the following campaign. Then came a period in which he was engaged in ranching on the Sacramento river, and afterward did teaming from the city of Sacramento to many of the mining camps. In 1854 he went to Stock- ton, and there entered the employ of John Fair- banks, working at his old trade; four years later he went to Los Angeles, and thence to San Joaquin county; Portland, Oregon, was the next place of abode, and there he remained from the autumn until the following May, when he went to Salem. On March 16, 1863, he en- listed in Company G, First Oregon Cavalry, with the expectation of being sent East; in this, however, he was disappointed, being placed in service between The Dalles, Oregon, and Fort Hall, against the Indians. Ile was mustered out Mareb 16, 1866.

Peace having been declared, Mr. Carwell went to Oakland, Oregon, and there went to work at his trade. In 1873 he went to Gardiner, at the mouth of the Umpqua, and there was employed in a large sawmill for a period of two years. Coming to Washington in the fall of 1875, he took up a ranch in Clarke county, on which he lived three years and a half. He then disposed of this property and went to Golden- dale, Klickitat county, where he has since re- sided; the town was then in its infancy, and Mr. Carwell has contributed to its rapid growth and development. In 1880 he embarked in business for himself, and in connection with a general blacksmithing he carries on an exten- sive manufacture of carriages and wagons, his trade reaching over a wide territory. Ile has only first-class material and employs skilled workmen in his shop, two facts that have con- tributed largely to his success. His dealing has always been fair and honorable, and he has proven worthy of the confidence reposed in himn.

Ile was united in marriage at Oakland, Ore- gon, March, 16, 1868, to Miss Nancy Jane

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Marshall, a native of the Hoosier State. Mr. Carwell is a member of Baker Post, No. 20, G. A. R., and also belongs to the Masonic fra- ternity. In politics he adheres to the principles of the Republican party, giving to that organi- zation his perfcet allegiance.

J AMES A. GALLOWAY, a retired farmer living in Cowlitz county, Washington, has been a resident of the Northwest for many years, and has experienced the various hard- ships and privations incident to pioneer life and is now comfortably situated, enjoying the fruits of his years of toil.

James A. Galloway was born in Owen coun- ty, Indiana, in 1826, and when he was twenty- three years of age emigrated to Multnomah county, Oregon. Three months later he went to Portland, and after remaining in that city one year took up his abode in Oak Point. Two years later he went to Beaver valley, remained there three years, and then settled on Cowlitz prairie, Lewis county, Washington. After a residence of nine years at that place, he moved to Cowlitz county, where he has since lived and prospered. Of Mrs. Galloway, we record that her inaiden name was Catherine Devalt, that she was born in Tennessee in 1831, and that she moved with her parents to Monroe county, In- diana, when she was nine years old. She and Mr. Galloway were married in 1840, and they are the parents of five children, John E., Mar- garet J., Barlow, Mary J., Leroy and Mrs. Alice Bodine.

H ENRY L. VOTAW, Tacoma, was born in the State of Iowa, near Salem, Henry county, October 28, 1849, son of Jona- than and Jane B. (Lewelling) Votaw. His father was a native of Indiana, and went from Wayne county, in that State, to Iowa in 1842, and in 1847 located in Henry county, among the early settlers, and followed farming there.

Henry L. was reared on his father's farm near Salem. He was educated in the district schools of the neighborhood and at Whittier's College, Salem, He was married there, September 21,

1871, and after his marriage located on a farm near Salem, where he was engaged principally in stock-raising until 1878. lle then entered the law department of the Iowa State Univers- ity, Iowa City, and there remained until his graduation in 1879. Ilis diploma from that institution admitted him to the highest conrts of the State, and he began practice at Mount Pleasant, the county seat of Henry county, where he formed a partnership with W. J. Jeffries, who, one year later, was elected Circuit Judge. Mr. Votaw then removed to Clarion, Iowa, where he was engaged in practice and dealing in real-estate for three years. After this he bought a half interest in the bank at Salem, and became its vice-president. In 1884 he disposed of his interests there and came to Tacoma, where he embarked in the real-estate business; a little less than two years later he went back to Iowa, and at Marshalltown dealt in real-estate and also carried on an insurance business, remaining there until 1891. Ile then returned to Tacoma and has since been identified with its interests, being engaged in the practice of his profession as well as doing a real estate and insurance business. Since August 1, 1892, he has been associated in his law practice with Judge Charles L. Lytle, the style of the firm being Lytle & Votaw.

Politically, Mr. Votaw is a Republican, and has taken an active part m the organization and convention work of his party. He was twice elected Justice of the Peace, while a resident of Marshalltown, Iowa, and resigned that office, while officiating in his second term, to return to Tacoma. Ile is a member of the following fraternal organizations: Iowa Valley Lodge, No. 486, F. & A. M., Marshalltown, Iowa; Signet Chapter, No. 27, R. A. M., Marshall- town,; and of Tacoma Commandery, Knights Templar, Tacoma.

Of Mr. Votaw's family we record that his wife was formerly Miss Anna J. Cammack, and that she is a native of Henry county, Iowa. They have tive children: Della May, Myrtle, Jessie M., Ralph C., and Clifford H.

D R. JOHNSON ARMSTRONG, one of the leading physicians of Tacoma, was born at Beallsville, Monroe county, Ohio, June 6, 1853, son of Henry and Margaret

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(Adamns) Armstrong, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Virginia, al- though reared in Ohio.

Until he was eleven years old he lived at Beallsville, and in 1864 he accompanied his parents on their removal to Fairfield, Iowa, where his literary education was received. He began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. R. J. Mohr, of Fairfield, in 1875, and in 1878 entered Rush Medical College, Chicago, where he graduated with the class of 1880. He en- tered upon his professional career at Orleans, Nebraska, and after a practice of two years and two months at that place came to the Pacific coast, arriving in Washington Territory, July 16, 1882, and at Tocoma August 26, of that samne year. The other members of the profes- sion then practicing in Tacoma were Drs. Mc- Coy, Bostwick, Verchow, Glasscock and Ash- more, of whom all except one are either gone out of the city or retired from practice; so that Dr. Armstrong now ranks as one of the pioneers of his profession.

He was a member of the old Puget Sound Medical Society, which has since been reorgan- ized into the State Medical Society. Ile was one of the organizers of the Medical Society of Pierce county, of which he has been vice-presi- dent.

Dr. Armstrong was married in Tacoma, May 5, 1891, to Miss Minnie Humphreys, a native of Illinois.

EORGE H. RYAN, was born near Friend- ship, Allegany county, New York, July 31, 1848. His parents were Henry Il. and Abbie G. (Gasley); the former was a native of New Ipswich, New Hampshire, his father being one of the earliest settlers there; the latter was born near Seneca Falls, New York, her people being an old New York family of English extraction. His father removed in 1852 to Portage City, Wisconsin, and from there one year later to Bangor, at that time be- ing a pioneer in this section. He established himself in the furniture business, and now re- sides near that place on a farm. He was seventy-five years old in 1893. His mother was sixty-tive years old.

Mr. Ryan was reared and educated at Bangor and then entered the furniture manufacturing

business with his father. Two years later he went to Duluth, on Lake Superior, and engaged in lumbering manufacturing, as manager for Munger & Gray, who had two large mills. In 1872 after studying closely the tendeney of the time he decided to emigrant farther west, so re- moved to San Francisco, and thence by way of Kalama and Olympia, he reached his first stop- ping place in the State of Washington, Port Gamble, where he entered the employ of the Puget Mill Company, as keeper and tallyman for two years; but, meanwhile he bought forty acres and began improving it. He set ont twelve acres in hops, which land he is at present devoting to that purpose. After two years at Port Gamble he removed to Tacoma and has resided there since.

He was married in San Francisco on May 18, 1875, to Miss Lucy V. Wood, daughter of Lewis D. and Lucy V. (Church) Wood. Her father and mother were of New Jersey pioneer fan- ilies. Mr. and Mrs. Ryan have five children, viz .: Henry R., Lewis D., Edith E., Charles A. and Warren P.

Mr. Ryan has been a Republican all his life and attended the general convention in 1892 that chose the delegation to the Minneapolis convention. He was the first Mayor of Sum- ner, holding that office in 1891, was president of the School Board for six years and during his term the present school building was con- structed, which completed will cost $22,000.00.

R B. DODGE, one of the most thriving farmers in western Washington, near Olympia, and an early pioneer of the State, was born near Springboro, Penn- sylvania. His parents, John and Sarah (Ives) Dodge, were natives of New York State and Connecticut, respectively, the former a mason by trade, at which he worked all through lite. When the subject of this sketch was thirteen years of age, his parents joined the westward bound tide of emigration, removing from the Keystone State, to Stark county, Illinois, near Toulon, where the father continned to work at his trade. Much to the son's gratification, how- ever, he was allowed to work on a farm, in which occupation he was employed for eight years. It had always been his ambition, from early boyhood, to become a farmer and own land on a large scale; thus it was that at the age of

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twenty-two, he concluded to go West, where land was plentiful, and secure for himself a farm.

Accordingly, in 1853, he prevailed on his father and family to accompany him in his trip across the plains. They endured the usual hardships and inconveniences of those early times, but finally arrived safely in Marion county, Oregon, in October, 1853. Here the father and the rest of the family remained, bnt the subject of this sketch not being yet satis- fied, pushed on up the rivers in canoes, across nubroken country, cutting trails, fording creeks, etc., until in November, 1853, he arrived in Olympia, Washington. Hearing of good farm- ing land not far south of the city, he lost no time in looking it up and found a satisfactory location in Black river valley. IIere he took a donation claim of 160 acres, and by the time of the outbreak of the Indians war, in 1855, had the greater portion of his land under culti- vation. During the troublous times which fol- lowed, he did not leave his claim and seek safety in a fort, as many did, but remained at home and was not molested. Ile has since added many more acres to his original tract of land, and after years of toil, has to-day'one of the larg- est and best farms in western Washington. He has 400 acres in shape for cultivation and 2,300 acres in meadow and grazing land, well stocked with cattle and sheep. He owns one of the largest barns in western Washington, it being 250 feet in length and proportionately large otherwise. llis opinion as to the adapt- ability of grain, cereals, etc., to various soils and localities may be accepted as the best authority. Born with a natural love for his occupation, all his study and experience has been along the line of improvement iu his favorite work, until he has now reached that point of attainment in all its details justly designated as perfection.

In 1863, Mr. Dodge was first married, to Mary E. Shaser, daughter of George and Mar- garet (Packwood) Shaser, prominent and worthy pioneers of Washington. By this marriage there were two children: F. I .; and Margaret P., now Mrs. Van Vleet. In 1875, Mr. Dodge was deprived by death of his faithful wife, whose advice and assistance had contributed much to his prosperity. In 1878, he was again married, liis second wife being Ada L. Marey, an esti- mable lady, daughter of Bradley and Mary J. (Prosens) Marcy, also worthy pioneers of Wash- ington. By this marriage there are seven

children: Orval, Olive, Grace, Sophronia, Mary, Belle and Bradley.

Few men are more justly entitled than Mr. Dodge to the esteem of a community whose interests he had aided by his energetic and in- telligent efforts in the development of the country.

J AMES WORK REEDER, M. D., is one of the leading citizens of Goldendale, and one of the foremost members of the medi- cal profession in Klickitat county. Washington. lle is a native of the State of Illinois, born at Minonk, Woodford county, September 18, 1846. Ilis parents are Thomas B. and Elizabeth (Work) Reeder, natives of Ohio and Pennsyl- vania, respectively: the father is of French ex- traction, and the mother is of Scotch-Irish des- eent. The Doctor was reared in the county of his birth, and secured his literary education in the common schools of Minonk; he began his medical studies under the direction of Dr. A. II. Kinnear, of Metamora, Illinois, and when he had made sufficient preparation he entered Rush Medical College, from which institution he was graduated with the class of 1870. He began the practice of his profession at Reading, La Salle county, Illinois; one year later he was married and removed to Bellevue, Kansas, thirty miles from Topeka; after a few months, how- ever, he returned to Illinois, and established himself in the new town of Dana, Woodford county; he was very successful in his practice and won a large patronage.

The tide of emigration ever moving to the west, proved a suggestion to Dr. Reeder, and he determined to try his fortune beyond the Rocky monntains. He removed to Idaho, and settled at Moscow, where he remained ten years. Com- ing to Lincoln, Nebraska, he was there one year, emigrating at the end of twelve months to the Pacific coast. Ile settled in Goldendale, Klicki- tat county, Washington, and has conducted a prosperons and successful practice since No- vember, 1888.

He was married at Minonk, Illinois, Septem- ber 12, 1870, to Miss Sarah Emeline Davison, of Illinois. Three children have been born to them: Nellie Letitia and Thomas Seott are de- ceased; a daughter, Gertrude Fairchild, sur- vives. Dr. Reeder is clerk of the local lodge

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of Modern Woodmen of the World, and is Re- corder of the A. O. U. W. lodge at Goldendale. He is the present Health Officer of Goldendale, and is serving with marked ability. Politically he adheres to the principles of the Republican party.

¡OLIN P. HAYS, a pioneer of Olympia, Washington, and one of that city's most prominent and respected residents, was born in Pulaski county, Kentucky, June 26, 1833. IIis parents were Charles and Catharine (Prather) Hays, the former a native of the same place as the subject of this sketch. This worthy couple had five children, when the mother died. The father subsequently remarried, his second wife being Betsy Bailey, and they had six chil- dren. In 1839 the parents removed with their children from Kentucky to Saline county, Mis- sonri, where the father extensively engaged in farming. He was thus employed until his death by cholera in 1849, leaving his family and a large circle of friends to mourn his loss.

Thus early bereaved, and being one of a large family, the subject of this sketch was thrown on his own resources. Accordingly, in the follow- ing year of 1850, having heard of the gold ex- citement in California, he started with bright hopes for the far West, his destination being Sacramento. He stopped about forty miles east of that place, however, at a point on the Ameri- can river, where he was engaged in mining one year, at the end of which time he returned to Saline county, Missouri. He remained at home but a short time, however, but bought stock and started for Texas the last of December, 1857, with a drove of cattle and mules. In the Red river country he sold the stock and proceeded sonth to Alexander, Erath county, and thence to Galveston, whence he went by boat across the Gulf to New Orleans, and on boat up the Mis- sissippi and Missouri rivers, back to Saline county, Missouri, which point he reached about February, 1852.

April 1, 1852, lie again started across the plains by ox team, this time coming to Port- land, Oregon, where he arrived in September. He thence proceeded to Milwaukee, in the same Territory, where he remained until 1854, at which time he came to Olympia, Washington, where he has ever since resided, He at first

worked in and about town at the lumbering business, and also bought and sold land. From that time on he has steadily prospered, his career affording a good object lesson to all young men without means, but possessing the equivalent in health, energy and intelligence. Mr. Hays now owns a valuable farm near Olympia, of which he has about seventy acres under an excellent state of cultivation, also a large orchard of various fruits. He cleared this land from a dense forest, an undertaking requir- ing a vast amount of labor and patience, but the fertility of the soil has amply rewarded his efforts in its great productiveness. He also raised hops for several years, but owing to the difficulties connected with this industry, he plowed them np and cultivates hay instead. Hle has been engaged in the dairy business for the past ten years, which has resulted profit- ably.

In 1855 Mr. Hays was married to Miss Car- olina Seott of Thurston county, who came across the plains to Washington with her father, John Seott, in an early day. Her father has sinee died, but is well remembered as a stirring pioneer and able citizen. Mr. and Mrs. Hays have four living children: Charles P., nnmar- ried; William T., married and living in Thurs- ton county; Nellie F. Folsom, residing in Everett, Washington; and Sadie, now Mrs. Ira Kneeland, of Tacoma.

Many positions of public trust have been offered Mr. Hays, all of which he has declined, preferring the free life of a farmer to the re- sponsibilities of office. He is an Odd Fellow of Olympia Lodge No. 1. In the various rela- tions of life, he has always been characterized by unvarying integrity, consideration for the rights of others, liberality of thought and gener- osity of action, and enjoys a high position in the regard of his fellow men.

H J. CAMERON, a successful farmer of Thurston county, Washington, residing near Tumwater, is an old pioneer and and widely and favorably known in his locality. He was born in Knox county, Ten- nessee, in 1831, where his parents, James and Sarah (IInghes) Cameron, died, the former in 1832, aged fifty, and the latter when about the same age,

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The life of Mr. Cameron has been one of great change, his travels extending over most of the Northwest. This commenced at IHillsborough, Illinois, whence he journeyed to St. Joe, Mis- souri, reaching the latter place, April 9, 1852. From there he crossed the plains, finally arriv- ing at Oregon City, Oregon, where he remained one month. From there he came for the first time to Tumwater, Washington, whence he re- turned, in 1856, to Fort Stevenson on the Mis- souri river, where he remained five days. Ile then returned to the Dalles, in Oregon, staying there a week, at the end of which time he once more retraced his steps to Tumwater, from which place he has never seemed able to go very far or remain away a great length of time. He now entered the Government service as a private in Company B, doing duty abont six months, first under Captain Hays and afterward under Captain Heniss. Mr. Cameron crossed the Natehez Pass twice in 1855, and in 1857 went to California, where he remained abont a year, returning in 1858, to Tum water. In the same year, he went to Idaho, and from there to Salt Lake City, Utah, returning thenee to The Dalles, and from there to Portland, Oregon's metropolis, and back again to Tumwater, arriving in the latter place in 1860. He remained there two years, and then, in 1862, visited Victoria, Bri- tish Columbia, going from there to Frazer river, and thence to the mining region, whence he once more returned to Tumwater, arriving at the latter place October 30th. In November of the same year he went to Mound prairie, on the Black river, where he took a claim, and has resided ever since.

His wife's maiden name was Catherine Sim- mons, whose uncle, Michael Simmons, was the original owner of the land, and the founder of the city now known as Tumwater. Mr. and Mrs. Cameron have two children, twin boys: James and Harvey, twelve years of age, who bid fair to develop into sturdy, intelligent young inen, a credit to their parents and to the great State, in which they were born.

E C. MEADE, one of the successful busi- ness men of Pierce county, Washington, was born at Litchfield, Herkimer county, New York, in 1837, a son of John Meade, who was of English descent. His father being a

farmer, he was reared to agricultural pursuits. His education was received in the schools of Litchfield. At the age of twenty-two he left the scenes of his childhood and went to Peters- burg, Virginia, where he engaged in farming for about seven years. At that time he came out West to California, and for about four months was at Gold Hill, that State. Then lie to Waslio, (now known as Virginia City), Ne- vada. He remained there only a short time, however, when he went back to California, and made his home there until January, 1862, when he came to Washington, or rather to Puget Sound. At that time he pre-empted a claim of eiglity-four acres of land, located between the Puyallup and Stuck rivers. Subsequently he bought eighty aeres and engaged in farming and hop raising with his brother-in-law, L. F. Thompson, with whom he was associated nine- teen years. At this writing he is alone in busi- ness.

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An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 135

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