An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 143

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 143

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After making his start for Puget Sound it was a month later when he reached his destina- tion. He journeyed via the Union and Central Pacific railroads, and from San Francisco to Victoria on the steamer Panama, then on her first trip, carrying the first mail on the route. Mr. Lister waited three days to get a vessel for Tacoma, and then secured passage on the North- ern Pacific, which landed him at Seattle. The accommodations of that place at that time were considerably overcrowded, on account of which Mr. Lister about gave up the idea of procuring a place for the night, but at twelve o'clock the landlord of the United States hotel awoke a lodger and gave his berth to Mr. Lister. On the first boat that left for Tacoma Mr. Lister was a passenger, and landed at the dock in Old Town. Soon after landing he went through Hanson's mill, where he saw a man trying nn- successfully to match some flooring. The fore- man was cursing the unfortunate workman, and eventually Mr. Lister ventured to remark

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that when the man had gotten through his effort he would try his hand. He did so and suc- ceeded so well that the foreman proposed to employ him at once, to which proposition Mr. Lister replied that he first wished to see New Tacoma, and to get to the site had to walk seven-eighths of a mile along the beach. His observation showed him a straggling settlement, some twenty or thirty insignificant buildings amid a wilderness of trees and brush, and not half of these poor structures occupied. Being confident, from what he saw, that there was then no chance of doing anything there, he returned to the mill, and accepted employment for the time being. He'took to pieces the ma- chine at which he had first tried his hand, adjusted it, put it together again, and the next morning began an engagement, which he con- tinued a year at $100 a month and board.

During this year, he had built a shop in Old Town, and General Sprague, who was then liv- ing at Kalama, having learned of this fact, ex- pressed a desire to see Mr. Lister. Having done so, the General asked Mr. Lister what had induced the latter to come to Old Town and build a shop. Having learned from Mr. Lister his story, General Sprague advised him to re- move his shop to New Tacoma, and offered his assistance and the services of a scow for that purpose, adding, "in two weeks we will go to- gether and locate our machine shop and yours as well." They selected the site of the railroad shops together, and Mr. Lister chose his location near by at the foot of Fifteenth street. While engaged in this preliminary work, they had a hard time getting through the brush and their progress was further impeded on account of the whole town being knee-deep in mud, there being no drainage. Mr. Lister finally succeeded in removing his shop to the new place and started operations, first getting his machine work done at Kalama. The road between that place and Tacoma was then running one train a day, but business was light and sometimes he would be the only passenger on the train. That winter his family joined him. He completed his buildings in 1876, and on March 17, 1877, he turned out the first castings for the North- ern Pacific Railroad. For this company he made all the car wheels and all other iron work that was wanted for its line on this side of the Rocky mountains.

lle also traveled extensively over the Sound country, in quest of work for his shops, hoping

to build up an immense business, of which a large amount of marine work should make up a portion of the volume. The people of Seattle were jealous of the rival town on account of its possession of such an important plant, which brought in so much ready money, and the enter- prising citizens of Seattle offered Mr. Lister many inducements to remove to their midst, or at least to establish a branch shop in their town. But Mr. Lister was a Tacoma man, through and through, and was not to be dissuaded from the course he had marked out. When the historic " boom " came, Mr. Lister constructed iron work for the buildings which soon began to line Pacific avenne and other bustling streets. He attended personally to all the various ramifi- cations of his business and even did all his own figuring on work. The intense strain on his physical constitution, thus imposed, at last told on even such a tireless man as he. An attack of vertigo coming on while he was at the head of a stairway, engaged on a business mission, a fall ensued, resulting in a severe, though tem- porary injury, which brought about his retire- ment from business.

A rest from labor, coupled with loving atten- tion and a trip abroad, brought about his restoration to such a state of health and vigor, that although retired from active labor, he is now one of the youngest mnen of his age. But he had done enough. The large sums which he had disbursed here in wages amounting for long periods to as much as $9,000 a month, but the volume of trade he had brought here as well as the prestige accompanying, had been, probably, the principal factor in holding the town togeth- er and advanced its prospects undoubtedly by many years. As one item of his business, it may be mentioned that he built sixty-one en- gines in his shop. In 1889, he sold out his shops to the Dry Dock Company, who moved them to the Fifteenth street wharf. While in the active ranks of business in this city, he built many houses, and was actively engaged in the development in every way of the place. Ilis present beautiful place on North I street was erected in 1890. It is worthy of incidental note in this connection that Mr. Lister was the first to pay publie wages in Tacoma. At the beginning of operations he had to transport all his castings to the dock in a wheelbarrow.

Mr. Lister has been twice married. His first wife, to whom he was married in England, was originally Anna Mortimer, who died at l'esh-

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tigo, Wisconsin. They had sixteen children, five of whom are living: Samuel G., was for years Mr. Lister's foreman; David B., who is now with the company to whom his father sold his plant; Jennie, wife of Dr. Barton; John W., a resident of Olympia; Annie, wife of James Chambers, of Olympia. Mr. Lister was again married, in 1873, to Mrs. Church. whose maiden name was Townsend. By her first mar- riage she had nine children. She was also a native of England, and came to America at the same time as did the Lister family, settling in Lowell, with her husband and family. They removed later to Peshtigo, Wisconsin, where she was living at the time of the great fire. Mrs. Lister has been a true helpmeet to her hus- band, and it is a just recognition of her quali- ties to say that she is a noble-hearted woman. Being endowed with a high order of intelligence and trained in the duties of a physician, her services in this connection were, in the early days of Tacoma, at the command of the hum- blest and poorest of the early settlers, and on many nights she has gone through the brush and timber to accord care and comfort to some poor suffering mortal, helpless but for her minis- trations. The many acts of charity performed by her, will never be forgotten by the recipients of her unselfish devotion. On many occasions when Mr. Lister was operating his shops, with a man for every place that could be devised for one, and when some applicant for work would be informed that there was no place in which his services could be used to advantage, Mrs. Lister would intercede for the stranger and get her husband to find something for him to do, just to help out those who wanted and needed work.

Mr. Lister was interested in every effort cal- culated to put the new town on its feet, so to speak, and on one occasion, C. B. Wright, president of the Tacoma Land Company, re- marked in a conversation at the Tacoma Hotel, "Had it not been for this man," pointing to Mr. Lister, "Tacoma would not have been built when it was built." Mr. Lister helped to organize the town of Tacoma and was one of its first trustees. . A city charter was obtained in 1881, and he was appointed, by Governer Newal, first Mayor of Tacoma, for six months, to hold office until after election. Mr. Lister was elected a School Director and realizing that new school facilities were needed, he set about providing something that would be beneficial and perma-

nent. He purchased twenty-four lots on the site of the Central school, had the alley vacated, procured from Portland, plans for the building, for which specifications he paid $500, and find- ing these not to his liking in some respects, changed them so that the stairways instead of turning to the center of the building, should lead to the doors which opened outward. Mr. Lister and Mr. Alexander constituted the board, of which the former was President. The board wanted $10,000 voted to commence building the Central school, which the Council would not grant. However Messrs Lister and Alexander went ahead and let the contract for about $10,- 000. The people said it would be twenty years before so much room would be required, but, Mr. Lister contended that the school would be filled before finished. It was also considered by many to be foolish to secure so much ground. Now it is conceded to be one of the best in- vestments the city ever made. Regarding his prophecy as to attendance, it may be stated that on opening day, each room had its full quota of sixty scholars, except one room, which had but fifty. The building cost more than $30,000 which amount was paid by issuing script, which was cashed in bank as needed.

Mr. Lister has been a member of the Masonic order for half a century, having been admitted in Carbondale, Pennsylvania. He also belongs to the chapter and commandry. He was an or- ganizer and one of the first trustees of the First Methodist Episcopal Church, in which capacity he still serves. Mr. and Mrs. Lister and W. H. Fife and wife are all that now remain of the original congregation organized in 1876.

In closing this sketch of Mr. Lister, it is but just and proper to say that in this community, in which he was one of the first and of which he was for so many years one of the principal lead- ers, he is universally regarded as one of the inost honorable and upright of men, one who, while successful in his undertakings has accom- plished his success while assisting others, rather than building what there is of his fortune on ruins of other men's possessions.

J ACOB N. JESSEN, proprietor of the lead- ing livery establishment in La Center, Washington, and owning a large, well- equipped fruit farm in that town, was born in

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Tunder, northern Schleswig, then in Denmark, December 8, 1840. His parents were Jess and Gretamaria (Nielsen) Jessen, the father being a farmer, and both being honest, hard-working and worthy people.

Jacob N. Jessen was reared on the home farm and attended school between the ages of six and fourteen, learning from his parents those habits of industry and upright principles of conduct which have rendered him a good member of so- ciety, and gained for him prosperity and the re- spect of all law-abiding citizens. After attain- ing the age of fourteen, young Jessen, being of an adventurous disposition and anxious to see the world, went to sea, his first voyage being to Greenland, that misnamed country of ice and snow. He was later drafted on a man-of -war, and after fourteen months' drilling in that ser- vice, was discharged. His next trip was on a merchantman to the West Indies, after which he returned home. In 1863 he left his native country for America, arriving in New York city. From there he went to Canada, and thence to Chicago, then showing no signs of its pres- ent greatness, and after fourteen months there decided to seek his fortune on the Pacific coast, to which so many people were emigrating. Ac- cordingly, he proceeded to New York city, from which port he embarked, via the Nicaragua ronte, for San Francisco, in which latter city he arrived in 1865.

Mr. Jessen made his home in California for seven years, part of the time farming on hisown account, but for the most part engaged as tore- man of the large Hayward ranch. At the end of this time he decided to visit the Puget Sound country, and in April, 1871, went to Portland, Oregon, from which place he shortly afterward came to Washington, and took up eighty acres of land, situated three miles north of La Center, in Clarke county. He cleared the timber from a large portion of his land, fenced the whole tract and made a number of other valuable improvements, and had thirty acres in a fine state of cultivation, when he sold out, in 1882, and removed to the town of La Center. Here he immediately engaged in the livery business, which, with his other interests, now absorbs his attention. On his place in La Center, he raises various fruits suitable to the soil and climate, including prunes, pears and apples. These different enterprises have proven eminently successful, and the canse is not diffi- enlt to find. It is owing to Mr. Jessen's con-

tinued industry, intelligent care and attention to details, which, combined with the remarkable resources of Washington, both agricultural and commercial, have gained for him comfort and prosperity, and he is in a fair way to attaining fortune in the coming years.

Politically, Mr. Jessen is a Democrat and takes a deep interest in public affairs, although he is not an office-seeker, but his superior qual- ifications of mind and character amply fit him for public service, and he will, no doubt, be called upon, at some future time, to represent the people in that capacity. He is enterprising, progressive and ever ready to aid his commu- nity, to the advancement of which he has con- tributed his full share of energetic and intelli- gent effort.

N EWTON F. CAIN, a thrifty farmer and dairyman of Clarke county, Washing- ton, residing near Manor, was born in Lucas county, Iowa, September 26, 1852. His parents, Isaac and Elizabeth J. (Leeper) Cain, wero natives of Indiana and Ohio, respec- tively, although both removed to Iowa when young, in which State they were married, near Eddyville. The father is still a resident of Lu- cas county, Iowa, but the dear old mother is dead, her death having occurred June 2, 1888, at the age of fifty- eight years, eleven months and seventeen days, after a life of devotion to her family.

Mr. Cain, of this notice, was reared in his native county on the home farm, where he re- sided until he was twenty-four years of age, re- ceiving his education in the local schools, and being trained to habits of industry and useful- ness by his worthy parents. In 1876, induced by the advantages of cheap land offered by the extreme West, he went to California, and was for a time near Woodland, in Yolo county. From there he went on a visit to Oregon and Washington, looking over the country, after which he returned to Iowa. In 1881 he went to Texas, and spent about a year on the Red river, in Clay county, after which he once more returned to Iowa, on a visit. In the spring of 1883 he came to Washington with the intention of settling, and bought the Curtis estate, of 440 acres, in Clarke county, where he has ever since resided. He has since sold portions of his orig-

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inal purchase, and now retains 160 acres, to which he devotes his personal attention. Forty aeres of this is now cleared and mostly grown to grain. Besides his farming interests, he also conducts a dairy business, in which he uses the product of sixteen cows. In the winter of 1892 Mr. Cain set out about 140 fruit trees, and it is his intention to plant about 300 in all, mostly Bartlett pears and winter apples. This prom- ises to become, under Mr. Cain's careful super- vision, one of the finest orchards in the State, and will afford him an ample income besides in- creasing home industries.

February 4, 1886, Mr. Cain was married, and he and his worthy wife have three children: James Clinton, Cody Newton and Minnie Eliz- abeth.

Politically, Mr. Cain is a Democrat. He is domestic in his tastes, finding his greatest hap- piness in the society of his family and friends, and in the care of his valuable estate. Not- withstanding this, he takes a deep interest in the public welfare, especially of his community, and has done much by his intelligent and effi- cient labors to increase and develop its re- sources.

EORGE ALEXANDER, Superintendent of the Port Townsend Steel Wire & Nail Company, was born in Covington, Ken- tucky, December 14, 1866, a son of John Il. and Jane E. (Early) Alexander, natives of Illinois and Kentucky, respectively. The father was an extensive contractor in timber and stone for enlverts and bridges in railroad work.

George Alexander attended the public schools of Covington until fifteen years of age. As an apprentice, he then entered the employ of the American Wire Nail Company, the first insti- tntion in the country to manufacture wire nails, and remained with them four years, becoming a competent workman in every department of the business. From 1885 to July, 1889, he was engaged as superintendent of the United States Wire Nail Company, of Indianapolis, Indiana, and in the latter year the works were removed to Jackson, Ohio, and consolidated with the Jackson Steel Works. The works were then enlarged, with increased facilities, and Mr. Alexander contin- ned in charge of the shop until the early spring of 1892, when he resigned his position to take

part in the organization of the factory at Port Townsend. He spent the summer of 1892 at Erie, Pennsylvania, associated with James M. Lively in superintending the building of the machinery for the Port Townsend factory, which was constructed by the Erie City Iron Works. After completing the machinery, in the fall of 1892, Mr. Alexnander made a short visit at Covington, and then started for this city, to as- sist in erecting the plant and establishing the fac- tory. Although a young man, he is one of the oldest artisans in the steel wire nail business. Commencing when the business was in its in- eipiency, and possessing a mechanical mind, Mr. Alexander devised new machines for performing the work, and May 2, 1893, received a United States patent for a wire nail machine. For this machine is claimed: First, improved means for opening and closing the jaws which hold the wire while the head is formed; and second, means for operating the cutters which finish the nail and separate it from the wire, which con- sists of a combination of minor gears and crank shatts in the place of levers and cams. Upon the principles of his patent are constructed the fifty machines now in use in the Port Townsend mail works, which have a combined capacity of 400 kegs every ten hours, and on smaller nails the speed of the machine can be maintained at 400 nails per minute. Mr. Alexander is a prac- tical mechanic, and under his watchful eye, la- bor-saving machines are being invented and put in use, which makes the l'ort Townsend nail factory a very complete institution in every point of detail.

P ETER AHOLA, proprietor of one of the leading mercantile establishments of Cen- terville, Washington, is a native of Fin- land, born November 7, 1858, the third of a family of nine children. His parents, Matthew and Matilda (Leononer) Ahola emi- grated to the United States, believing they would meet with the same success that had at- tended their countrymen who had sought homes in the New World. They located in Michigan and resided in that State until 1878, when they removed to Washington and settled in Klickitat coanty. Matthew Ahola is a cabinet-maker by trade, and his son is also a skilled mechanic; father and son have given attention to hus-

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bandry and have been uniformly snecessful in their efforts. Having disposed of his farming land our subject embarked in the mercantile trade in the flourishing little village of Center- ville, opening his store to the public March 15, 1893; he carries a general stock of shelf and heavy hardware, and a full line of agricultural implements; he has also a line of harness and saddler's goods. He is a man of good business habits, and has the energy and thrift character- istic of his countrymen.

A loyal citizen of the land of his adoption he is fully alive to his duty, and is a stanch snp- porter of those principles that go to make good government; he casts his snffrage with the Re- publican party. He also takes an active inter- est in educational matters, and for many years has been a member of the Board of School Di- rectors. He is not a member of any secret society.

Mr. Ahola was married at The Dalles, Ore- gon, December 19, 1888, and has a family of two, Mabel B. and Hazel; the third danghter died in infancy.

G EORGE E. STARRETT, a contractor and builder of Port Townsend, was born in Thomaston, Maine, October 31, 1855, a son of Edwin and Cordelia (Merrick) Starrett, natives of that State, and descended from Puritan ancestry. The father followed the trade of a ship carpenter in Thomaston for twenty-nine years, or until 1864. He then re- moved with his family to Lake county, Illinois, where he engaged in house carpentering nntil 1885, and then moved to Port Townsend, Wash- ington, where he followed that occupation for the remainder of his life.

George E. Starrett, the subject of our sketch, attended the schools of his native country until sixteen years of age, and then began the carpen- ter's trade, under his father's instructions. He remained with the latter until he became pro- ficient in every department of the business. Thus acquiring valnable experience, in 1880 he came to California, and thence, by the old steamer Idaho, to Port Townsend, where he re- mained with his brother, D. W. Starrett, for a time. Mr. Starrett next located in Port Town- send, as a contractor and builder, and his first work was the erection of the Catholic Church.

From that time his business has steadily in - creased until he now employs a force of from twenty-five to fifty men, and has erected a large portion of the residence and business honses of the city. As there was no architect in the town, Mr. Starrett was forced to take up that branch of the work, which he has conducted with marked skill and ability. In addition to his other busines interests, he has also performed the undertaking work for the County and Marine hospitals sinee 1889, and since 1890 has conducted a general undertaking establish- ment. In Jnly, 1892, he organized the Port Townsend Dry Dock Company, and as manager is erecting a dry dock near Port Wilson. He is a stockholder in the Port Townsend Steel Wire and Nail Company. Mr. Starrett also owns a large amount of improved residence and business property in this city.

In 1887 he was united in marriage with Miss Annie D. VanBokkelen, a native of Port Town- send, and a danghter of J. J. H. VanBokkelen, a pioneer of Puget Sound, whose name is cher- ished and revered by all who know him. He was of Holland-Welsh ancestry, and possessed strong characteristics and unflinching zeal. He served as Postmaster, County Auditor, Sheriff, Probate Judge, three terms in the Territorial Council, and during his intervals of public service was engaged in agricultural pursuits. Mr. Starrett has erected a spacious home on the corner of Adams and Clay streets, where he and his wife now reside, surrounded by all the com- forts of life. In 1890 he was elected a member of the School Board, has served two terms in the City Council, is serving a four years' term as Chairman of the Board of County Commission- ers, and is one of the active and enterprising developers of the Key City.

H ON. JOSEPH A. SHADLE, Represent- ative from Pierce county, to the Legis- lature of Washington, and Accountant and Steward of the Western Washington Ilospital for the Insane, at Fort Steilacoom, was born in Wauseon, Ohio, Jannary 16, 1866. His parents, Allen and Ann (Whitaker) Shadle, were natives of Wooster and Medina, Ohio, re- spectively, the former a farmer by occupation. Both the maternal and paternal grandparents of

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the subject of this sketch were early settlers of Ohio, the former having removed from Pennsyl- vania to Wooster, and the latter from New York State to Medina.

Joseph A. Shadle, the subject of this sketch, was reared in the State of his nativity, receiv- ing his preliminary education in the common schools, afterward attending Fayette College, at which he graduated in June, 1886. He taught school during the winter, following his gradu- ation, after which he came to Washington and taught oue term in Roy, Pierce county. He then became manager of a general mercantile store at the same place, in which capacity he continued until April 22, 1889. He was then appointed to the stewardship of the Western Washington Hospital for the Insane, which he has held ever since, with the exception of the time during his term as Representative in the General Assembly of the State. He resigned his stewardship to accept the latter office, and was reinstated when at liberty to resume his former duties, which be at present discharges. Ile also acts as accountant of this instution and attends to many details of the business manage- ment.

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An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 143

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