An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 142

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

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February 27, 1879, in Kansas, he was united in marriage with Miss Dena Alverson, a native of Michigan. In his political relations Mr. Gabel votes with the People's party, and since November, 1892, has been a member of the City Council of Chehalis. Socially, he is a member of the A. O. U. W., of this city, and of the K. of P., in the East.

C APTAIN EUGENE BIONDI, the effi- cient and popular Marine Surveyor at Port Townsend, was born at Paterson, New Jersey, May 16, 1841. His parents, Lo- renzo and Marietta (Landini) Biondi, were natives of Italy and came to America abont 1839, being among the first professional sing- ers in Italian opera to visit this country.

The subject of this sketch attended the pub- lic schools of New York city and, when fifteen, was apprenticed to Tiffany to learn the jewelry business. After two years' service, however, his naturally adventurous disposition led him to enter the navy, and, in 1857, he enlisted, for three years, as an apprentice on the old receiv- ing ship. North Carolina. Being a good pen- man, he was, shortly after enlistment, detailed as assistant clerk to Captain James F. Ward, the Commander, who was writing a book on Ordnance Tactics. Being desirous of going to

sea, young Biondi was sent in 1858, with a company of men to the receiving ship, Ohio, at Boston, from which place he joined the regular crew of the sloop of war, Portsmouth, under the command of Captain John Calhoun. They sailed for the west coast of Africa where they joined the squadron, which was under the com- mand of Commodore Inman, who was cruising the coast and islands, trying to break up the slave trade. On the outbreak of the American Civil war, in 1861, the ships were ordered home and the crews discharged. Captain Calhoun then recommended Mr. Biondi to the Navy Department as Master's mate, and he shortly afterward received an appointment from the Secretary of the Navy, and was ordered to the receiving ship, North Carolina, and, later, to the United States store ship, Nightingale. The last was a very fast clipper ship, which had been captured off the west coast of Africa, her com- mander, Captain Gordon, being hung for the crime of piracy. The Nightingale, with a cargo of stores, sailed for Key West, to supply the Gulf squadron, and, remaining with the fleet, acted as guard-ship at the southwest pass of the Mississippi river. In 1862, Mr. Biondi was ordered to the gun boat, New London, and participated in the battles of New Orleans, Vieksburg and Port Hudson, after which he engaged in blockade duty off Galveston and the coast of Texas, remaining about fifteen months and participated in a number of skirmishes. He was then ordered to the Pensacola, as Master, and took that ship to the navy yard at Brooklyn, for repairs. He was then ordered to the United States steamer, Don, flagship of the Potomac flotilla, which numbered about forty vessels under the command of Foxhall A. Parker. Later, Mr. Biondi became Master of the vessel, with headquarters at Washington, District of Columbia, where they were stationed during the darkest days of the war, and patrolled the river during the search for Booth, the assassin of President Lincoln. The flotilla was disbanded in May, 1865, and Mr. Biondi then became Master on board of the new double-turretted monitor, Miantenomah, commanded by Captain Daniel Ammen. The monitor was carefully tested and then taken to Fortress Monroe and up the riverto Washington, where she remained on exhibition during the winter, her officers giving weekly entertainments. In the spring of 1866, Mr. Biondi was appointed Navigating Officer of the United States storeship, Supply,

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and sailed with a cargo of stores to supply the fleet off' the coast of China, with headquarters at Hong Kong. In 1868, he returned with his ship to the United States and received an hon- orable discharge.

On the breaking out of the Civil war in Hayti, Mr. Biondi entered the employ of the Government and manipulated the purchase of the naval vessel, Pequot, and as Commander, sailed for Port-an-Prince, where, after a varied experience, his vessel was captured by the Revo- lutionists, and but for his timely presence of mind and mental resource, all the officers would have been hanged. Being non-partisan, and only working for wages, Captain Biondi and crew swore allegiance to the Revolutionists, and he remained in command of his ship, the name being changed to La Terruer. After peace was restored, the Captain resigned and returned to New Orleans.

In January, 1871, Captain Biondi applied for a Lientenancy in the revenue marine serv- ice, and after passing a creditable examination at Washington, District of Columbia, he was appointed Third Lieutenant, and ordered to the revenue steamer, William H. Seward, then cruising between Wilmington, North Carolina, and Cape Hatteras. In July following, he was promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant, and remained on board for two years. In 1873, he was detailed for special duty to superintend the building of the revenne stcamer, Dallas, at Portland, Maine, and, in August, 1874, to superintend the building of lite-saving stations on the coast of Florida. He then spent two seasons on the Commodore Perry, at Erie, Pennsylvania, during which he was promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant and ordered to the revenne steamer, William H. Fessenden. In 1880 he came to Port Townsend as First Lieutenant of the revenne steamer, Wolcott, and later became Lieutenant in command, cruising on Puget Sound and on the inside pas- sage, north to Sitka, Alaska. In 1883, he was ordered to the revenue cutter Rush, at San Francisco, and, after reporting for dnty, re- signed and retired from sea life.

He then settled in Seattle and purchased an interest in the Puget Sound Furniture Com- pany, which he sold in 1884. Then, returning to Port Townsend in 1885, he accepted the agency of the Board of Marine Underwriters of San Francisco for the lower district of Puget Sound. He is also Vice-Consul to Sweden and

Norway, and is the Port Townsend representa- tive of the United States Weather Bureau.

In 1882, Captain Biondi was married at Port Townsend, to Miss Amelia Roberts, a native of Boston and niece of F. W. Pettygrove, an hon- ored pioneer of the Key City of Washington.

The evidence of such universal commend- ation in the various walks of life leaves very. little to be added, except to mark more strongly those characteristics which have contributed to his success in life, namely,-strict adherence to dnty and persevering effort, which combined can never fail of their reward.

H ERMAN STEINMANN, one of the leading architects of Seattle, was in Sax- ony, Germany, October 27, 1854. His ancestors had long been residents of that locality, and for many generations had been em- ployed as foresters in the government service. Herman received his edneation in the high schools of Saxony. After completing his edn- cation he began learning the carpenter's trade, and, after becoming proficient as a journeyman, spent eighteen months in traveling through Germany and France, following his trade with the prominent contractors of those countries. Mr. Steinmann completed his professional studies in architectural engineering at the academies of Munich and Stuttgart. The year of 1878 was spent in the army, with the railroad brigade, afterward he continued to work for the Russian Government in general architectural work until 1881, and in that year came to the United States. Mr. Steinmann's first employ- ment here was in Philadelphia, with C. D. Supple, a prominent contractor of that city, working the first six months as a carpenter, and for the following eighteen months was en- gaged in architectural and general office work. He next worked for a time as dranghtsman in St. Louis, after which he opened an office and conducted a general architectural business, but gave particular attention to the erection and de- signing of breweries. In 1887 he came to Seat- tle, and soon afterward received the contract for the exposition building in Portland, also built a number of fine residences and business blocks in that eity. After the fire in Seattle, in June, 1889, his work became more active in this city. Since then he has designed and superintended

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.

the erection of eleven brick blocks, four churches, all the power houses in the city except two, the Madison street park buildings on Lake Washington; has rebuilt all the breweries of Seattle, Victoria and Tacoma, business blocks in LaConner, Chehalis and Walla Walla, and resi- dences throughout the State. Mr. Steinmann built his residence on the corner of Twelfth and Pine streets in 1881.

In St. Lonis, in 1886, he was united in mar- riage with Miss Eliza K. Hill, a native of that city, and a daughter of Frederick Hill, a man prominent in the political circles of Missouri. În social matters, Mr. Steinmann affiliates with the Knights Templar and Shriners, F. & A. M.

D R. WILLIAM BREDEMEYER, a well known mining expert and surveyor, now residing in Tacoma, Washington, was born in Cologne, Germany, September 7, 1842. His father, Frederick William Theodore Brede- meyer, was a Colonel of the celebrated Black Hussars, and his ancestors for generations back were prominent in military affairs. His mother, before marriage, was Katherine Quetting, a lady distinguished alike for charm of mind and person. The Doctor's son, F. W. W. Brede- meyer, is a godson of Frederick III, of Ger- many, and Empress Dowager Victoria.

William Bredemeyer, the subject of this sketch, was reared in his native eonntry, and, from 1854 to 1857, attended the Polytechnic School of Cologne, where he prepared himself for mining. From 1857 to 1860, he studied practical mining and smelting in the principal mines of Germany, and in the latter year, he passed his examinations as officer of the engi- neer corps in that country. From 1960 to 1862, he attended the University of Bonn and the Mining School of Duren, at both of which he graduated. He was for the next six years in the service of the Holland government in Dutch India, as mining engineer. From 1868 to 1869, he was chief engineer of all the mines in Upper Burmah for the king of Burmah, be- ing principally engaged in the ruby and gold mines of that country. He was the first white man to traverse Burmah from one end to the other. From 1869 to 1870, he was in the service of the British government, engaged in geological mining, and at the same time traveled

through western China. From 1870 to 1872, he was chief engineer of southern Japan for the Japanese government. He left the Flowery Kindom in the latter year, on account of his wife's ill health, and came to California, and soon identified himself with the mining indus- tries in that State and Arizona, with headquar- ters in San Francisco. In 1873, he was appointed manager for the Miller Mining & Smelting Company in Utah, owned by Howland and Aspinwall, of New York. From 1874 to 1875, he was manager of the Sheridan Hill Mining & Smelting Company, in Utah, but since the last named date, has confined himself to independ- ent assaying and mining engineering, remain- ing in Utah until 1888, from which State he went to British Columbia, where he continued until 1891, when he came to Tacoma, Washing- ton, with the interests of which city he has since been identified. He has examined and reported upon all the principal mining property in the regions mentioned, and in all prominent mining cases in court, he has testified as an ex- pert. He has been United States Surveyor, Mining Engineer and Assayer ever since com- ing to America.

October 1, 1870, Dr. Bredemeyer was mar- ried in Nayasika, Japan, to Annie May Savery, an English lady of culture and refinement. The Doctor was called upon to monrn his wife's loss in 1884, her death occurring in Salt Lake City. In January, 1885, Dr. Bredemeyer was married to his present wife, nee Penelope Mc Vicker, who is a sister of John Mc Vicker, the oldest assayer west of the Rocky mountains. They have one son: Frederick William Wallace Bredemeyer, born in Salt Lake City, in March, 1886.

Dr. Bredemeyer's career has been an eventful one. He was the first white man in Upper Burmah, and while there was crucified by the natives, on June 16, 1869, and narrowly escaped with his life. From the age of twelve until past fifty, he has been engaged in preparation for mining and mining engineering or in their active pursuit, having followed these vocations all over the known world.

He is prominent in lodge circles on the coast now holding the offices of Deputy Supreme Chief Ranger of the Independent Order of Foresters; General in Command of the Com- manderies of the Royal Foresters of the Pacific Coast; Deputy Supreme Chieftain, and Past Chieftain, and Colonel of the Chieftain's League

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.

of the Improved Order of Red Men, of the State of Washington; and Past Master of the A. O. U. W., Tacoma Lodge, No. 6, also of a Deputy Supreme Archon of Heptasophs and Colonel of Crusaders. Since coming to Tacoma, he has organized the Chieftain's League of this city and Sunset Division, No. 20, Uniform Rank, Knights of Pythias, of this city. He is also a prominent Odd Fellow, having organ- ized Canton No. 4, Tacoma, and is Guard-at- Arms, with the rank of Colonel, of the Canton, Patriarchs Militant. He and wife are members of the Rebekah degree I. O. O. F .; degree of Honor, A. O. U. W .; Pythian Temple; and Pocahontas Degree, Improved Order of Red Men.

Tacoma and the State of Washington have few men so capable of adding to their welfare, and they are to be congratulated in the services of one whose life has been replete with useful- ness to humanity and the world.

G EORGE W. JAMES, Cashier of the Old National Bank of Spokane, was born in Pomfret, Connecticut, in 1857. His father, Freeman James, was a native of the same place, and was a prosperous merchant there. His mother's maiden name was Abby S. Buckminster. They had two children, he being the younger. He received his education at St. Paul, Minnesota, and at Mowery's Semi- nary, Providence, Rhode Island.

After leaving school Mr. James located at St. Paul, where he was employed in the First Na- tional Bank. He severed his connection with the bank February 22, 1892, came West and settled at Spokane, where he has since been Cashier of the Old National Bank of Spokane. His natural business ability and his fifteen years of banking experience especially fit him for this position. Mr. James has made a host of friends since coming to Spokane, and in this busy, rush- ing, growing city he will no doubt make his mark among the many brilliant young men who have here cast their destiny.

Mr. James was married July 12, 1885, to Miss Jingie A. Glidden, daughter of S. S. Glidden, President of the Old National Bank of Spokane, and one of the most prominent men in the Northwest. Mr. and Mrs. James have two

children, Freeman and Harold Norman, aged respectively six and three years. Mrs. James is a member of the Congregational Church of St. Paul, Minnesota.

Politically, Mr. James affiliates with the Re- publican party.

H ON. BARTLETT TRIPP, of Tacoma, a distinguished citizen of Washington, and at present (1893) United States Minister to Anstro-Hungary, was born in Har- mony, Maine, July 15, 1839. His parents, William and Naamah (Bartlett) Tripp, were both natives of the Pine Tree State, the former born in York county. Both came of ancient families, the American founders of whom set- tled in this country at an early day, those of the Tripp family establishing themselves in York conuty, while the Bartlett ancestors took np their abode at Bethel, in Oxford county.

Bartlett Tripp, of this notice, was reared and educated in the State of his birth, completing his studies at Waterville College (Colby Uni- versity) in 1861. In the same year he started West and spent one winter at teaching in Salt Lake City. He thence proceeded to California, and was for a time engaged in teaching at Fol- som City, and later in surveying at Montagne, after which he was for awhile employed in the civil engineering corps of the Central Pacific Railroad, in its work in northern California. In 1865 he went to Salt Lake City, where he taught school during the winter, after which he returned to the East. While teaching school he had read Kent and Blackstone, with the inten- tion of adopting the law as his profession, and on returning to Maine he took a six months' course of preparatory reading in the law office of Samuel Mcclellan, of Dexter. He then be- gan a course in the law department of Union College (Albany Law School), at which he re- ceived the degree of Doctor of Laws in 1867, and in the same year was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of New York. He then went to Augusta, Maine, where he began prac- tice with an associate, under the firm name of Pillsbury & Tripp, which they continued two years. At the end of that time Mr. Tripp turned his face toward the setting sun, follow- ing the Star of Empire to Yankton, Dakota, where he became associated in business with

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.

General William Tripp, which partnership was in its third year when severed by the death of the General.

Mr. Tripp rapidly rose to first rank in his profession in the live Northwestern Territory, and became a prominent figure in public affairs and a leader of the Democratic party. In 1878, as the Democratic candidate for delegate to Con- gress, he made a highly creditable raee and was very nearly elected. He was chosen president of the constitutional convention of 1884, which was the first held preliminary to the admission of the Territory to Statehood, and the Constitu- tion drafted by its members was, with some amendments, adopted by the second convention. As a citizen of Yankton he took a leading part in the promotion of educational interests in that city, and for twelve years did efficient service as chairman of the School Board. In 1885 he was chosen Chiet Justice of Dakota, in which capac- ity he continued to act until the Territoria! or- ganization was superseded in 1889. Judge Tripp was one of the three members of the commission which enacted the first codification of the laws of Dakota, the other two of whom were Chief Justice Shannon and Judge Bur- nett.

In the session of 1890-'91 of the South Da- kota Legislature, Judge Tripp was made the Democratic candidate for the United States Sena- torship, which contest continued nearly seven weeks and became famous throughout the coun- try, finally resulting in his defeat. He was president of the Bar Association of Dakota during the last ten years of its Territorial ad- ministration, and on the formation of the State of South Dakota and the organization of a new bar association he was elected president of that body.

In 1891 Judge Tripp removed to Tacoma, Washington, where he at once began the active practice of law, and is now at the head of the firm of Tripp, Town & Dillon, one of the most prominent co-partnerships in the State, renowned alike for their ability and integrity.

In 1893 the Judge was chosen United States Minister to the court of Anstro-Hungary by President Cleveland, one of the most dis. tinguished honors which the chief executive of the nation could have bestowed, and an appoint- ment which was highly commended by the country.

In September, 1868, Judge Tripp was mar- ried in Maine, to Miss Ellen M. Jennings, a

lady of edneation and refinement, and they have one child, Maude Bartlett, now the wife of C. H. Dillon, junior member of the firm of Tripp, Town & Dillon.

Judge Tripp's recognized ability, sterling in- tegrity and high moral character have won for him just distinction among his fellow-men, while his more amiable qualities have enlisted their friendship and esteem.

D AVID LISTER .- Probably no name is more intimately associated with the his- tory of Tacoma than that which heads this sketch, and a synopsis of Mr. Lister's car- eer is essential to the completeness of this volume.

Mr. Lister was born in Bradford, Yorkshire, England, March 31, 1821. His parents, Samuel and Sarah (Ogden) Lister, were natives of Shelf, Yorkshire, the former being a machinist in the Bolling Iron Works, at Bradford. Later. the family removed to Bolton, Lancashire, and there when but six years of age, the subject of this sketch received his initation into the business in which he afterward became a successful operator, and was taken from school at this early age for that purpose. His first work was at cleaning eastings in a foundry, and it hap- pened that his opening task was cleaning off the chairs on which were to be placed the rails of Stevenson's first railroad, Mr. Lister, Sr., hav- ing the contraet for the construction of these chairs, which were made at the foundry of Thompson & Swift.

In 1831, David accompanied his parents on their removal to Preston, Lancashire, where he joined the Wesleyan Methodist Church, and resumed his education in its Sunday-school. The society erected a brick building for the purpose, and it was about the first Sunday- school in Preston. While on a visit to the scene of his boyhood days a few years ago, Mr. Lister searched for the old school in Gilder street, and finding it, discovered that it had been converted into a stable.

He worked in Preston in the shop of Lord Bellearas until attaining his thirteenth year, at which time his father received and accepted a favorable offer to return to the Bolling Iron Work at Bradford. The subject of this sketch

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.

also went to work there, and became so thor- oughly schooled in the business that at the age of sixteen years, he was receiving journeyman's wages. A year later he began business for himself, establishing a foundry and machine shop at Otley, ten miles from Bradford, and, to begin with, built with his own hands his first engines. Two years later, he sold ont to Payne & Dawson, who still conduct the business. After closing np his affairs he had £40 left, and after considering the situation concluded he would go to America. In Jnne, 1847, he sailed from Liverpool in the ship Lord Sandon, which arrived at New York July 17 following, im- mediately obtaining employment with the firm of Browning & Co., on work for the Brooklyn navy yard, making brass work for the Govern- ment dry dock. In 1851 he went to Hoboken, at which place he did similar work for Stevens' floating battery, the first of its kind built for the United States Government. Completing this work he moved to Canaan Corners, near Carbondale, Pennsylvania, where he secured a large farm and was engaged in the occupation of agriculture. He then traded his farm for a foundry, machine shop and tin store in Carbon- dale. In this business he was engaged for nine years, at the expiration of which time he went to the oil regions, taking with him all the tools necessary to establish a well-equipped shop. Finding things there not to his liking in some respects. he immediately disposed of his effects and went to Chicago, where he remained one year. In 1867 he went to Marinette, Wiscon- sin, for the purpose of operating the Marinette Iron Works in the lumber region. After suc- cessfully managing this enterprise until 1869, he went to Peshtigo, where he built a foundry and machine shop, and did all the work for the large factory and mills of William B. Ogden. In October, 1871, fire broke out in the woods of that region, and on the night of October 8, the flames were communicated to the town and there ensned the great conflagration of Peshtigo and vicinity, which was one of the most des- truetive in history, considering the number of lives and the vast amount of property destroyed. At nine o'clock in the evening the fire broke ont, at which early hour Mr. Lister had retired for the night, but was awakened in time to make his escape with his family. They hastened to the river, in which, by keeping submerged as munch as possible, they preserved their lives, and all who did not follow that plan visibly per-

ished in the flames. The only thing in the place that was not destroyed was one partly con- structed honse.

During the following week William B. Og- den went to Peshtigo, and on seeing Mr. Lister, proposed to sell the latter his choice of locations in the town as a site on which to rebuild. This offer was accepted, and work on the new build- ings was soon on the way. Later, leaving his son in charge of the establishment, Mr. Lister went to Oconto, distant sixteen miles, where he bought an interest in a similar establishment and remained there a year, getting the business on a firm basis. His next venture was to es- tablish a sawmill at Gillett, a town on the Oconto river, but while engaged in logging there that winter, the weather was so severe, he felt compelled to seek a more congenial climate. He at once began closing out his interests in this locality, and on the advice of his friend, Mr. Ogden, who was one of the directors of the Northern Pacific Railroad, Mr. Lister concluded to remove to the Territory of Washington, where, as Mr. Ogden said, " the mills are all twenty- five years behind the times." He advised Mr. Lister to go to Tacoma, which place had been selected as the western terminus of the road, al- though he said it would be ten years before they could do anything in that direction, and urged Mr. Lister, in case the latter followed his advice, to do what he could to build up the place.

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An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 142

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