An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 151

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 151

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Mr. Mclaughlin was married in Indianapolis, Indiana, June 27, 1888, to Miss Eva Bruce, of Scotch ancestry, and her parents were among the early pioneers of Indiana.

W ILLIAM PAYNE, one of the success- ful lumbermen of the Northwest, was born in New Brunswick, May 28, 1845. His parents, William and Mary (Brow) Payne, were of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and were engaged in agricultural pursuits. At an early age our subject began work on the farm, thus being de- prived of educational advantages higher than those of the common schools. At the age of twenty years he started on his journey West- ward. In Wisconsin he spent about one year in the logging camps and in driving logs upon the river, having had experience in both occu-

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pations in the woods of New Brunswick. In the spring of 1866 he drove an ox team across the plains for Smith & Galbraith, the great freighters of Kansas City, carrying Government supplies to the Big Horn river, in Montana. Duly arriving, a small company of eleven men was organized, who purchased two yoke of oxen and a light wagon, and drove 200 miles farther westward, to the Virginia City mines, where they arrived December 5, 1866, after rather serions experiences with the Indians and from high water in Yellowstone river. They were obliged to ford the river, using their wagon-box for a boat. During that winter Mr. Payne was engaged in mining, and in the spring of 1867 went to the mines of Lemhi, where he spent the following summer, but was unsuccessful in his ventures.

Being of an observing nature, he made a study of the old miners of fifteen and twenty years' experience, and they seemed such a de- jected and discouraged class of men that he be came disheartened, and, thinking that he might find more brightness and better assurance of prosperity, started for Puget Sound, arriving at Port Gamble in the fall of 1867. Mr. Payne found work in a logging camp on Hood's canal until in March, 1868, was then similarly en- gaged with various companies at Port Discovery until 1874, and then embarked in that business for himself. He made his home at New Dunge- ness until 1882, conducting a logging eamp in Clallam county, and at the same time followed farming on a fine farm of 160 acres near town. In 1882 he removed his family to Port Town- send, where he has ever since resided, mean- while continuing his logging camps in Clallam, Jefferson and Island counties. He has cnt over thousands of acres of timber, constantly em- ploying from twenty to fitty men. Mr. Payne has also built a number of houses in Port Town- send to rent, and in 1889 erected his spacious home on the corner of Taylor and Lawrence streets, where he now resides. He has an in- terest in the Pioneer block, besides owing much improved city property and hundreds of acres of timber land in the counties where he has worked.

Our subject was married at New Dungeness, Washington, Jannary 17, 1875, to Miss Irena C. Pileher, who was born at Gold Hil! mining eamp, California. They have four children: Sadie J., William W., Florence J. and Alice M. In political matters Mr. Payne is a Democrat,

has served two terms in the Legislature, and from 1888 to 1892 was a member of the City Couneil. He was one of the organizers and for two years was president of the State Bank of Washington, is a stockholder of Mt. Olympic Water Company, of the Port Townsend Hospi- tal, Port Townsend Foundry and Engineering Works, Port Townsend Dry Dock, and was one of the original ten men who started the Port Townsend Sonthern Railroad. In his social re- lations, he affiliates with the F. & A. M. and the I. O. R. M. Mr. Payne is one of the active and enterprising men of the Key City.

J HOMAS R. DELANEY, Chief of the police force of Port Townsend, was born at The Dalles, Oregon, in 1862. His parents, Richard and Katherine C. (Man- ning) Delaney, crossed the plains to that State in the early '50's locating at The Dalles. In 1855 the father joined the troops which as- sembled for the Indian wars, later entered the regular army, and became First Sergeant. Dur- ing the San Juan island controversy he went with his company to the place, remained there until the differences were adjusted, was trans- ferred with his company to Arizona, but, after arriving there, resigned his position, and re- ceived an honorable discharge. On the return home he was taken sick at the Presidio in San Francisco, and subsequently died. When first ordered to San Juan island be purchased a farm of 160 acres there, where his family still reside.

Thomas R. Delaney, the subject of this sketch, remained on the home farm until 1882, when he came to Port Townsend, and secured a position on the police force of the city. In 1885 he was appointed Deputy United States Marshal, in behalf of the Ship Owners' Associa- tion of San Francisco, held that position two years; in 1887 became traveling inspector in the custom service, under Major Quincy A. Brooks, and in July, 1888, became a candidate for the office of Chief of Police of Port Town- send. Although the opposing candidate had held the office for twelve years, Mr. Delaney was elected by a large majority, and has been re- elected each sueeeeding year without opposi- tion, which is the best reward of a grateful people for his snecessful performance of duty. As a detective he has shown great skill in fol.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.

lowing clues, locating criminals, and effecting the arrest of many of the most desperate con- viets in the State. It is a notable instance that Mr. Delaney has never failed in a case which he has taken up, and in his bravery and profes- sional skill is highly reputed throughout the Sound district. Socially, he affiliates with the K. of P. and the Independent Order of Red Men.

W ILLIAM MEYDENBANER, of Seat- tle, Washington, was born on the banks of the Mossele river, in Prussia, Germany, in 1832. He was there reared to early manhood, securing the education of the country, and devoted four years to the study and acquisition of the confectioner's trade. In 1850 he embarked for the United States, landing in Boston, Massachusetts, where he was employed until 1854. In that year he went to New York and started by steamer for the Pacific coast, via the Nicaragua route. His voyage on the Pa- cific was very eventful, it being on the old steamer, Brother Jonathan, with, 1,750 passen- gers, overcrowding the steamer, consuming the supplies, and, after several accidents, with much sickness, they at last arrived in San Francisco. Mr. Meydenbaner found employment at his trade for $150 per month and board, but one year later purchased a pack animal and miners' outfit, and, with $700 in cash, started for the Kern river mines. Nine months afterward he returned to San Francisco, with plenty of ex- perience, but financially ruined. He then re- turned to his trade, at the old wages, which he continued until 1865. In that year he made a trip to Prussia; was there married; the follow- ing year opened a restaurant and confectionery store in San Francisco; in 1861 opened a bakery in Yreka, California, and four year later en- gaged in draying in Idaho City, receiving from $40 to $100 per day in the latter occupation. But with hay at twenty-five cents per pound, oats at thirty-fivecents, and meals $1 each, with all other expenses in proportion, the profits were rapidly consumed. One year later our subject purchased a bakery and brewery, and, although undergoing two fires, he successfully conducted that business until 1868, when he came to Puget Sound, upon the supposition that Seattle was to become a railroad terminns. Upon ar-

rival he found business very dull, althoughi after a time he opened a small grocery, bakery and confectionery store on Commercial street, known as the Eureka Bakery, which he con- ducted ten years. Mr. Meydenbaner then moved to Columbia and Third streets, where he con- ducted both a wholesale and retail business, em- ployed a number of hands, running two delivery wagons, and received an extensive patronage. He was thus occupied until the summer of 1889, only escaping disaster from the fire of June by the protection of two maple trees standing be- tween his house and the fire. Our subject then sold his store, and, after passing three years in Oakland, California, located permanently in Seattle.

Mr. Meydenbaner was married to Thekla Fisher, and they have eight children, five sons and three daughters, all of whom are now living. Our subject has served one year on the City Council, securing his election from the Repub- lican party. Socially, he affiliates with the F. & A. M. His recollection is yet vivid regarding the early conditions of Seattle, when the population did not extend beyond Third street, and did not exceed 700 persons. Apples and gingerbread were served as refreshments at public receptions. Mr. Meydenbaner has passed through the vicis- situdes of the city, has been an eye witness of her magnificent development, and is now living a retired life, in the enjoyment of his family and in the accumulations of his days of pioneer work.

A NTONIO YOUNG, proprietor of the Star Brewery, of Vancouver, was born in Germany, March 29, 1838, where he was reared and educated, and also learned his trade. In 1859 he located in San Francisco, and there followed the brewery business until 1863. In the latter year he permanently lo- cated in Vancouver, Washington, where he worked as a journeyman the following two years, and then purchased the Star Brewery. This business was first established by John Manieh in 1857, and passed into the hands of the pres- ent owner in 1864. Mr. Young enjoys a lu- crative trade, which extends far into the interior of the State, and also into Oregon. Twelve men are employed about the brewery, and two wagons are run to supply the local trade. The beer

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.

manufactured is of an elegant quality, and has a wide spread reputation throughout the North- west.

June 19, 1864, Mr. Young was married to Miss Augusta Smidt, a native also of Germany. They have eight children: Elizabeth, Louisa, Anna, William, Edward, Laura, Angusta and Antonio. Our subject affiliates with the F. & A. M., blue lodge, No. 4, and chapter, No. 9. At the present time he is filling one of the offi- cial chairs in the blue lodge.

J S. DOBBINS, a well-known resident of Olympia, Washington, was born near Sparta, Randolph county, Illinois, in 1830. Ilis parents, John and Margaret Dobbins, were natives of county Antrim, Ireland, were married there, and about 1820 emigrated from the Emerald Isle to the United States, settling in Randolph county, Illinois, among the pioneers of that locality. There they engaged in agricultural pursuits, spent honorable and in- dustrious lives, and were respected by all who knew them.

J. S. Dobbins was edneated in his native county. At the age of seventeen he was ap- prenticed to the trade of blacksmith, served four years and a half, and at the end of that time engaged in business for himself, opening a shop at Sparta, which he conducted for a num- ber of years. In 1862 he made a trip to l'ort- land, Oregon, to look after the estate of his de- ceased brother, Crawford Dobbins, au Oregon pioneer of 1849, who was blown up with the steamer Gazelle while making her trial trip. Returning to the East in 1863, Mr. Dobbins enlisted for three months' service in Company K, One Hundred and Forty-second Illinois Vol- unteer Infantry, and served in the Department of Tennessee, chiefly on guard duty in the vicinity of Memphis. His term of service was extended to six months, at the end of which time he was discharged, and returned to Sparta.

Mr. Dobbins continued his blacksmith busi- ness in Sparta until 1869, when he sold out and came to Olympia, Washington, where his aunt, Jane Wylie, widow of Adam Wylie, resided, and still lives, being now eighty years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Wylie came to this coast in 1849. Shortly after his arrival here, Mr. Dobbins built a two-story shop, 20 x40 feet, on the

corner of Third and Washington streets, opened a general blacksmith shop, and also en- gaged in the manufacture of light and heavy wagons, which he continued up to 1876. That year he sold out, and he and his family mnade a trip East, visiting the Centennial at Phila- delphia. Returning to Olympia in the fall, he resumed business on the old site, and in the spring of 1877 bought the shop of Rice Tilley, corner of Third and Columbia streets. He did a general blacksmith business until 1891, when he sold out and retired.

Mr. Dobbins was married in Randolph eoun- ty, Illinois, in 1857 to Miss Enniee Holden, a native of that county. They have two child- ren: Nettie, wife of Fred Guyot, and Adelaide.

Financially, he may be classed with the sne- cessful men of the city. He has made wise in- vestments and has accumulated valuable real estate here. While he has been devoted to his business interests, he has taken a commend- able interest in public affairs. He served one term as Mayor of Olympia, several terms as a member of the Council, and one term as Coun- ty Commissioner. In the Republican county ty convention of Angust, 1592, he was nomi- nated as Sheriff of Thurston county, but, at the subsequent election, was defeated by fifty-six votes. after which he was elected City Treasurer of Olympia, of which office he is the present capable ineumbent. Socially, Mr. Dobbins is identified with the I. O. O. F., and encamp- ment, the I. O. G. T., A. O. U. W. and George HI. Thomas Post, G. A. R.

A LBERT LANE was born in Noble county, Indiana, on the 25th of December, 1842. llis parents are Daniel E. and Mary (Mason) Lane, the former born in Brook- lyn of an English family; the mother, a native of Connecticut. The family lived in Indiana until 1855 and came across the plains to Wash- ington Territory in that year, locating about five miles from Steilacoom. The journey was made over the usual route and was attended by hardship unusual even to this ordinarily hazardous journey. On their arrival, their hard- ships were very little lessened. During the first winter, which was a hard one, the father and son worked like slaves to make a living and had to pay exorbitant priees for their food. As soon

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.

as spring came, they took np a claim and planted potatoes and grain and later in the year the father took up another claim at the fork of the Puyallum, near Orting. From here they were driven out by the Indians. They went near Steilacoom, where they remained until 1859 when they returned to their claim at Orting. It was here that the father died in the spring of 1891. The mother died in 1883.

Mr. Lane has practically been reared in the country, and worked on his father's ranch until 1875, when he went to Oregon. In 1881 he returned and located near McMillan and has been in that vicinity since then. In his farm he has eighty acres, devoted to raising grain and hops.

He was married on April 11, 1875, to Miss Levina Rusow, of Tennessee, daughter of E. B. and Margaret Rusow. They have had four children, one of whom, Olive died in 1890, aged fourteen years and eleven months. Those liv- ing are Alfred A., Ida May, and Harry H.

Mr. Lane is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Puyallup Lodge, No. 43. He is a Re- publican, politically, and takes an active inter- est in every thing pertaining to the success, present and future, of his party.

A ARON S. NEELY was born near Madrid Bend, Carroll county, Tennessee, on March 1, 1849. His parents were David A. and Irena (Kemp) Neely, the former a native of Tennessee, the latter of Virginia.

In 1856 the family came across the plains and located on the White river, where they took up a donation claim, just below Kent. They were the first settlers in that immediate neigh- borhood. They were soon compelled to remove to Seattle on account of the hostility of the In- dians. His father, however, spent his time be- tween his claim and Seattle with his family. On one memorable occasion, when he was about to leave Seattle for his place at White river, he was notified that the Indians had attacked the latter settlement. This was the occasion of the historical massacre. His father then enlisted against the Indians, and fought throughout the campaign, while the family remained at the lit- tle fort on the Henry Van Nessel place. After three years' absence, they went back to the home place.

Onr subject was reared in the State of Wash- ington. When he was twenty-seven years old he married, and bought for his home, the place where he now resides, consisting of 120 acres, which he has paid for by hard work, at intervals for other parties. He raises stock and grain, and has recently purchased another place of 100 acres, and has a sawmill located there.

Mr. Neely was married on March 14, 1874, to Miss Sarah Felsanthal, of San Francisco, Cali- fornia. They have had nine children, of whom there are five living, viz .: Julius, William A., Lenore, Carrie, and Aaron S., Jr. Those de- ceased are Ida and May, and Robert A.

A UGUST RICHTER, Postmaster at Battle Ground, Clarke county, Washington, is citizen of the United States by adoption. He was born in Germany, November 9, 1848, and was reared and educated in the land of his nativity. His parents, Henry and Caro- line (Koenig) Richter, had a family of seven children of whom August is the eldest. At the age of fourteen he bade adien to his home and friends and went to sea. Finally his good vessel brought him to San Francisco, a port that proved more attractive than the deep blue sea. After a residence in that city of five years he went to Los Angeles, where he made his home until 1892, during which time he engaged in mining speculations and accumulated a snug little fortune of $50,000, which was all swept away by fire, in 1878.

Since coming to Battle Ground in 1892 he has purchased the mercantile establishment of Mrs. Jane Berk, and has been appointed Post- master. The post office and Cape Horn Tele- graph Company's office are both in the building occupied by Mr. Richter as a store. He is a man of wide experience in the affairs of business, and is fully capable of man- , aging both the mercantile and official depart- ments in his charge. Politically, he affiliates with the Democratic party, having become naturalized at Los Angeles, in 1876, since which time he has faithfully performed the duty of casting his vote for the men and measures he esteems most advantageous to his fellow-citizens. IIe is a member of the Knights of Pythias, uniform rank, and belongs to the Knights of Honor and the Masonic fraternity.

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In connection with other business affairs Mr. Richter finds time for the cultivation of two acres of valuable garden land, a portion of which he has set in berries, and is doing his share toward promoting one of the most im- portant and useful industries on the coast.

In the city of San Francisco, July 5, 1875, Mr. Richter was united in marriage to Miss Adel Schmidt, a native of Germany and of their eight children only two survive, Adel and Minnie. Mr. Richter is the only representative of his family in America. His good mother passed to her reward fourteen years ago and his father still resides in the fatherland.

P ETER SMITH, whose attractive rural home is located eight miles south of Ta- coma, is one of the representative men of his vicinity. He belongs to the sturdy oid pioneers of this country, and it is appropri- ate that more than a passing mention should be made of him in this work.

Peter Smith was born in Scotland, October 18, 1817. His parents, Archibald and Isabella (Trumbull) Smith, were sturdy Scotch farmers and fruit-growers. The Smith family emigrated to New York in 1840. Archibald Smith was then varionsly employed in different places for some time, and becoming tired of diversified labor, turned his face westward in search of a home on the frontier. The Middle States were then but sparsely settled, and after traversing Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, he finally took up his abode on a claim of 320 acres in Rock county, Wisconsin. There he engaged in farming and stock-raising, and with the as- sistance of his children succeeded in clearing and putting under cultivation 200 acres of land. He lived there until his seventy-seventh year, when Death's scy the reaped its harvest and took the old pioneer to a better home.

After his father's death Peter longed for new scenes of action, and the spring of 1852 found him en route for the Pacific coast. He arrived at The Dalles September 20, 1852, and went from there to Portland, Oregon, where he spent the winter. At The Dalles he sold the oxen he had driven across the plains and bought two horses. On one of these horses his wife and and baby rode, and on the other he packed the blankets and their supplies, while he walked.

Thus they traveled from Portland to Washing- ton Territory. They came up the Cowlitz river to Cowlitz landing in canoes, and from there to Olympia they again made use of their horses, thence on to Steilacoom, where they arrived in the summer of 1853. Here Mr. Smith took a claim of 640 acres of land, on Tollentire prairie, about eight miles south of the present city of Tacoma. In getting ready to firm here he ex- perienced many difficulties. He had to make all the necessary farming implements ont of wood, as getting any iron at that time was an impossibility. His wagon was made entirely of wood, the wheels being made by sawing rounds from a large log. For a number of years they lived in a log cabin, but in time this rnde struc- ture gave place to a comfortable and commodi- ous residence. During the Indian troubles, in 1855 and 1856, the Smith family were driven from their home. Mr. Smith took his wife and children to the garrison, while he enlisted in Company B, Washington Volunteers, under command of Captain W. H. Wallace and Lieu- tenant R. S. Moore. After the war they moved back to the farm and had to do all their work over again, in the way of making improvements, etc., as everything had been destroyed by the Indians. Mr. Smith is still living on the old farm, where, with the aid of his grown sons, he has made a home of which he may justly be proud.

Mrs. Smith's maiden name was Martha Brad- shaw. She was born in England in 1824, and emigrated with her parents to Wisconsin, where she met and married Peter Smith. She came across the plains with her husband and stood by his side in all the hardships and privations he bas endured. They reared a family of seven children, all of whom are married except George, who lives with his father, and all are settled in Pierce connty. Mrs. Smith died at the old home place in 1888.

The only office Mr. Smith ever filled was that of Justice of the Peace, in which he served for many years.

F E. EISENBEIS, a merchant of Steila- coom city, Washington, was born in Prus- sia, October 7, 1825, son of Valentine and Catharine (Korn) Eisenbeis, both natives of Germany.

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F. E. Eisenbeis spent his boyhood days at work in his father's flour mill, except when he was attending the common and graded schools of his native country. In November, 1853, he set sail from Germany for New York, landing at his destination early in 1854. After working at his trade for a short time in New York city, he went to Rochester. At the latter place he was employed as clerk in a wholesale grocery store abont three years. In the autumn of 1857 he directed his course toward California, and ar- rived in San Francisco, January 28, 1858, where he remained one year. In 1859 he went to Victoria, thence up the Frazer river to the mines, and then back to Port Townsend. At the latter place he worked as a carpenter for some time, after which he came to Steila- eoom city and bought Ezra Meeker's general merchandise store, one of the pioneer stores of Washington Territory. He conducted this store until 1863, when he sold ont and went to the Cariboo mines. Owing, however, to severe weather and other obstacles, he did not remain long at the mines. He then made a trip to San Francisco, bought a stock of goods, returned to Steilacoom, and again opened out in business. Here he has since continued. Nearly every year he goes to San Francisco to buy goods. During his long business career at this place, Mr. Eisenbeis has had extensive dealings with people all over this part of the country. He has made many warm friends, and has the respect of all who know him.

He was married in 1863 to Rosa Denger, a native of Ohio, who came to this coast with her parents. They have two sons and four daugh- ters.

G EORGE ALBERT LIBBEY, one of the representative physicians of the city of Tacoma, was born at Bangor, Maine, in 1853, a son of Charles E. and Mary C. (Emerson) Libbey. At the age of fourteen years our subject began attendance at Holden Acade- my, graduated at that institution in 1869, and then completed his literary education in Bow- doin College. He next entered the medical de- partment of Dartmouth College, and graduated at that standard institution in 1874. Mr. Libbey then began the practice of his profession at Brooks, Maine, remaining there until 1888, and while there, in 1882-'83, served as Superintend-

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An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 151

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