An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 152

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 152

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ent of Schools, and was also an active member of the Waldo county and State of Maine Medi- cal Associations. After leaving Brooks he trav- eled extensively throughont the United States, and being attracted by the advantages of this region, located in Tacoma, with which city he has ever since been identified. Dr. Libbey has ever remained a student of his profession, often taking advantages while in the East of the facilities afforded by the Polyclinie of New York for keeping pace with the advancement of the science, and after locating in this State also took a five months' eourse at the Polyclinic of Chicago, in 1891. In his specialty, the treat- ment of the throat and lungs, he is given high rank by the profession.

Dr. Libbey was married in October, 1875, to Miss Mary A. Page. They have one son, Earl A., born in 1883.

W ILLIAM PACKWOOD, for many years a respected citizen of Thurston county, Washington, was born in Virginia, and removed with his parents when he was young, to Jackson county, Indiana, where he followed farming for a number of years. In 1834, he was married to Rhoda Prothers, born in Shelby county, Kentucky, in 1818, her parents, Samuel and Esther (Lewis) Prothers, being natives of Virginia and Kentucky, respectively, the former born in 1790 and the latter in 1795. After mar- riage. Mr. Packwood continued to reside in In- diana for a few years, when he emigrated to Monroe county, Missouri, where he again en- gaged in farming. From there, he later went to Platte county, the same State, where he re- mained until 1844, and then started across the plains for the Pacific coast. In the autumn of that year, he and his family arrived at Oregon City, Oregon, whence they proceeded to Yam HIill county, that Territory, settling on a farm near the present site of MeMinnville. Here they remained two years, at the end of which time Mr. Packwood sold out, in the spring of 1847, and removed to the northern part of the Territory of Oregon, now Washington, settling in September of that year, on 320 acres of land on Nesqually flats, near Puget Sound.

He remained there until 1849, when hearing of the gold excitement in California, he and his family left the homestead, stock and crops, and

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started for California, arriving in due time at Coloma, in El Dorado county. Here they re- mained until 1851, Mr. Packwood, in the mean- time, visiting all the important mining centers in northern California. In March, 1851, they returned to the old homestead on the Nesqually river, and Mr. Packwood there pursued farming and stock raising uninterruptedly until 1869. He then sold his farm and removed with his family northward to Snohomish county, Wash- ington, where they remained one summer, dur- ing which time Mr. Packwood, who is an en- thusiastic mine explorer, prospected in all the northern part of the Territory searching for minerals.

In the autumn of 1871, he and his family re- turned once more to Thurston county, where he pre-empted 160 acres in Haniford swamp, six miles from Tenino, on which he proved up and then sold it. He then took a homestead of 160 acres, situated two and a half miles from Cen- tralia, on the Skooknmchuck river, on which he and his family resided eight years, he in the meantime prospecting throughont all parts of Oregon and Washington. At the end of this time, he sold his farm and brought his wife to reside with her danghter, Mrs. Jacob Croll, on MeMinnville prairie, Thurston county. He then took a coal claim at Sulphur Springs, near Tenino, Washington, and he is at present snper- intending its working, it being one of the best coal claims in the western part of the State, and when more fully developed, will yield an end- less amount of excellent coal. Thus, after a life of change and vicissitudes, Mr. Packwood is in a fair way to acquire a fortune, if not in a gold mine, at least in one as good, whose products are indispensable and always exchangeable for the golden metal.

S AMUEL B. PARRISH, one of the earliest pioneers of the Northwest Territory, then known as Oregon, was born in Allegany county. New York, February 25, 1838, a son of Rev. J. L. and Elizabeth (Winn) Parrish, natives also of that State. The father, a black- smith and harness-maker by trade, joined the little missionary band in 1839, under the guidance of Rev. Jasen Lee, and in company with Rev. Alven F. Waller, Rev. Gustavus Hines. Hamilton Campbell and others, all

honored names in the early history of Oregon, they sailed from New York on the bark Lansan, and after eight months of tossing on the Atlan- tic and Pacific oceans they arrived safely at the mouth of the Columbia river. They went thence up the Columbia and Willamette rivers to the vicinity of Salem, Oregon, where the little mis- sion band had been established by Rev. Jaseu Lee in 1838. Mr. Parrish followed his trades as opportunity offered, also located a donation claim near Salem, and acted as teacher and mis- sionary among the Indians. With the settle- ment of the country he became connected with church work, in which he was very active until his retirement in recent years, and now lives in Salen, at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. The early history of Oregon is the his- tory of the Rev. J. L. Parrish, who was so prominently connected with the interests of the church, State and education. Ile was one of the founders of the Willamette University at Salem, and for many years afterward was the able and honored president of the institution.

Samuel B. Parrish, the subject of this sketch, received his education in the above university, and remained with his parents until 1857. During the Indian war of 1855-'56 he carried the Government express through the Willam- ette valley for the superintendent of Indian affairs. In 1857 he engaged in the cattle bnsi- ness, driving from Oregon to British Columbia and the Fraser river mines, and continued in that occupation about two years. In 1858 Mr. Parrish opened a small book and stationery store at Portland; in 1863 became connected with the railroad interests in Oregon, first being associated with S. G. Elliott, and later with Ben Holliday; from 1870 to Jannary, 1873, held the office of Inspector of Customs; in the latter year was appointed Commissioner, nnder T. B. Odenale, superintendent of Indian affairs; went into eastern Oregon to preserve the neutrality of the Pintos and Snake Indians during the Modoc wars; later was instrumental in establishing the Malheur reservation, of which he was subse- quently appointed Indian Agent, continuing in that capacity nntil in August, 1876, and then resigned his position, as the reservations were all placed under the management of the churches. Mr. Parrish then engaged in mining in Grant county. Oregon, also served as assistant manager of the Monumental Mining Company, but in September, 1880, returned to Portland to accept the appointment of weigher and gauger for

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N. F. Shurtleff, collector of eustoms. In April, 1884, Mr. Parrish was appointed Chief of Po- lice of the city of Portland, and after reorgan- izing the entire department, faithfully performed the duties of the office until his retirement in August, 1892.

Mr. Parrish was married at Halsey, Linn county, Oregon, to Addie, a daughter of John Crabb, one of the early pioneers of that State.

In the fall of 1892 the attention of our sub- ject was attracted to the German Remedy Com- pany, and the marvelous eures in cases of aleo- hol, morphine and tobacco habits. In company with Captain J. T. Watson and John R. Duff, lie purchased the agency for the State of Wash- ington, and established their headquarters at Seattle, January 1, 1893. The principles of the remedy have been in use in Germany for over eighty years, and it is the oldest eure known for alcohol and delirium tremens, and was success- fully employed at Berlin for many years. About 1870 the remedy was brought to America, to cure the habit of strong drink, its efficieney hav- ing been satisfactorily demonstrated. In 1888 the German Remedy Company was organized, and the first institution was established at Coun- eil Bluffs, Iowa. The treatment also covers the eure of morphine, cocaine, opium and tobacco, and in each braneh it is safe and sure in its effects, without pain, suffering or mental dis- order, but by a cleansing and purifying influence builds up the system and restores the dejected patient to his original health, strength and man- hood. The institute at Seattle is gaining daily in strength and usefulness, and the many patients speak highly of the efficacy of the remedy and treatment.

R ICHARD DE LANTY, vice president of the Commercial Bank, of Port Town- send, and Sheriff of Jefferson county, Washington, was born in Orono, Maine, February 21, 1843. His parents, Richard and Joanna De Lanty, were pioneers of the Pine Tree State, where his father was a thrifty farmer and both parents passed their entire lives.

The subject of this sketch was reared on the home farm, and attended the schools of the county until 1861. He then, at the age of eighteen, started out for self-support, and, hav- ing heard of the gold exeitement in California,

he decided to make the Pacific coast the scene of his labors. He accordingly embarked at New York city, via the Panama route, for the new El Dorado, and in due course of time ar- rived safely in San Francisco. From there he started for the mines in Mariposa county, where he passed the winter in mining. In the spring of 1862, he went to Virginia city, Nevada, and engaged in lumbering and mining on the Truckee and Carson rivers, which occupations he continued until May, 1869. He then visited the Puget Sound distriet, and settled at New Dungeness, engaging in the lumber business in Clallam and Jefferson counties. In 1882 he removed to Port Townsend, where, in 1884, he was elected County Commissioner by the Re- publican party, in which capacity he served effi- ciently for two years. In 1888 he was elected Sheriff of Jefferson county, and his faithful ser- vice was endorsed by the people in 1890 and and 1892 by his re-election. He was appointed Deputy United States Marshal in 1890, and is still discharging the duties of that office. Ile has always taken an active interest in the devel- opment of Port Townsend, having been one of the incorporators of the Commercial Bank, of that eity, and having since continued on its board of directors, besides assisting in various other enterprises calculated to advance the local welfare.

Mr. De Lanty was married at New Dungen- ess, in 1871, to Miss Jane Caroline Rollins, a native of Maine, and they have four children: Benjamin F., William W., Mark S. and Violet Beatrice.

Socially, Mr. De Lanty affiliates with the I. O. O. F., K. of P. and the B. P. O. E. As a man he is distinguished for energy and upright- ness, while as a citizen he is progressive and liberal-minded, and as a public official is char- acterized by all those qualities which give star- bility to the municipality and State.

HOMAS JEFERSON CHERRY, who has resided in Sqnak valley, engaged in farming since his settlement there in 1865, is the subject of the following bio- graphieal notice. He was born in Tuscaloosa county, Alabama. February 23. 1823, a son of James and Ellen (Sanders) Cherry. During his infancy his parents removed to Mississippi, and

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.

later to Arkansas; there Thomas J. remained until 1857, when he went to Illinois; he did not tarry long in this State, but went to lowa, where he remained two years.

In 1862 he made the trip across the plains to the Pacific coast. It was a long, tedious jour- ney, and on the way he drove a yoke of oxen, this service paying for carrying his clothing and his board during the time on the road. He ar- rived in Olympia in October, 1862, and spent the winter there. In the spring of 1863 he came to Seattle, and for five months was ein- ployed on a ranch on the Dwamish river. He followed various vocations until the spring of 1865, when lie came to Squak valley. He first engaged in teaming at the coal mines, but soon afterward located a ranch of 160 acres near the head of the lake; later he securred the title to this tract under the pre-emption laws, and re- tained the whole nntil 1874. when he disposed of eighty acres, for which he received $200. Mr. Cherry has taken an active interest in the agricultural products of this section of the State, and is highly respected by the entire commu- nity in which he resides. He has never mar- ried.

F REDERICK H. PETERSON, a member of the Seattle bar, was born in Hamburg, Germany, November 2, 1861. He was primarily educated in the schools of Hamburg, and in 1873 emigrated with his father to the United States, locating in Milwaukee, Wiscon- sin. Ile immediately entered the high school of that city, and at the age of fifteen years be- came a student in the Spencerian Business Col- lege. The following year Mr. Peterson began teaching school at St. Martin's, and although his understanding of the English language was very incomplete, he followed that occupation in Wis- consin and northern Minnesota until nineteen years of age. Learning that there was a West Point cadetship open, he was inspired to enter for examination, although there were nineteen competitors. Passing the rigorous ordeal, he came out at the head of the line, and dnly re- ceived the appointment by Hon. Henry Poeh- ler, of Shakopee, Minnesota. After two years at West Point, Mr. Peterson decided that as promotion was slow he would resign and resume the study of law, which had been his favorite ambition since his fifteenth year. He accord

ingly returned to Milwaukee, and after spend- ing a few months in the law office of Messrs. Stark & Brand, he was admitted to the bar in Jannary, 1883. He immediately began prac- tice in Milwaukee, but in the fall of the same year removed to Seattle, although without a friend on the Pacific coast.

Mr. Peterson at once opened an office in this city, and early in 1884 formed a partnership with Hon. C. D. Emery, which continued but a few months. Our subject then continued the practice of law alone until the fall of 1887, when, with V. H. Faben and R. H. J. Pennyfeather, the partnership of Peterson, Faben & Penny- feather was established, and this continued un- til 1890. Since that time Mr. Peterson has continued alone, and, while following general law, his desires incline him to admiralty and title litigation. He is in no sense a politician, but alter the Chinese riots of 1886, he was in- duced to become a candidate for the office of City Attorney, on the anti-Chinese ticket, and was elected. Since that time he has been a can- didate for no office, preferring the emoluments of his profession, which lead him in channels of thought and study congenial to his literary tastes.

In November, 1886, Mr. Peterson was mar- ried in Seattle to Miss Ella White, a native of Ohio. They have one child, Genevieve. So- cially, Mr. Peterson affiliates with the I. O. O. F., K. of P., A. O. U. W., Royal Arcaunm, and was a charter member of the Seattle Turn Ver- ein society. In the strict sense, he is a self- made man, as from early life his education and support have been gained by personal efforts, and thus he acquired keen foresight, good judg- ment and perfect self-reliance.

EORGE KELLY, a successful business man of Seattle, was born in Boston, Mas- sachusetts, March 10, 1839, a son of Na- thaniel and Judith (Coggin) Kelly, na- tives also of that State. Our subject's prelim- inary education was gained in the public schools of Boston, but his practical knowledge was ac- quired in his varied experiences through life. At the age of thirteen years hie was apprenticed to learn the machinist and engineer's trade, serving five years in the several branches of those pursuits, and finally became master of his

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profession. Mr. Kelly was then employed as engineer by Harris & Morgan, of New York city, working five years on their line of steamers plying between New York and New Orleans, two years on their steamers running between New Orleans and Havana, and from that time until 1869 worked in their machine shops in New Orleans. In the latter year he returned to New York, but later embarked for San Fran- eisco, via the isthmus, arriving in the fall of the same year. After reaching that city our sub- ject found ready employment in the machine shop of the Miners' foundry, remaining there until 1871. In that year he came to Puget Sound, and first found employment as machin- ist in the Port Gamble mills; subsequently was engaged by the Port Discovery Mill Company as engineer of their tug boat, S. L. Mastie. four years, and then as engineer of the tug Blakeley for the Port Blakeley Mill Company, until 1879. Mr. Kelly then purchased the Seattle boiler works, of this city, which he operated success- fully until the fire of June, 1889, his plant hav- ing then been entirely destroyed. He rebuilt, however, and continued until the fall of 1890, when he sold his interest to Moran brothers, by whom the business is now operated. Since that time our subject has been engaged in the pur- chase, improvement and sale of property in Seattle and the surrounding country. During the organization of the city water works and the establishment of the pumping station on lake Washington, he was employed by the city as chief engineer until the machinery was in thor- ongh running order.

Mr. Kelly was married, in 1876, to Miss Al- mira Davis, a native of Ontario, Canada, and they have three children: Howard D., Olive J., and Clara E. Socially, our subjeet affiliates with the A. O. U. W. He has given but little attention to politics, preferring the emoluments of civil life to those of political fame or glory. He is a man among men, genial and courteous in disposition, and conducts his business on the New England principle of honesty and justice to all.

H ON. ANDREW J. MILLS, of Clarke county, Washington, was born in Lake county, Illinois, May 8, 1841, son of Peter and Fannie (Wiekham) Mills. The Mills family were among the early Dutch set-

tlers of New Netherlands, and the grandfather of our subject entered the patriot army in the Revolutionary war when he was fourteen years old; his aceoutrements used in that struggle are still in the possession of the family. Peter Mills was born in Schuyler county, New York, and his wife was also a native of that county, her people likewise being among the early set- tlers of New York. The parents came to Illi- nois about 1836, but after about a year spent at Aurora, Kane county, went back to New York. After the lapse of another year, however, they returned to Illinois, this time locating in Lake county. There the father died in 1864, and the mother in 1882.

Andrew J. Mills was reared in his native county, his education being received in the schools of that neighborhood, and at the old Sc unmon School Madison street, Chicago. When the great Civil war burst upon the country, he was taking a course in Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College, but he left his studies and at once joined the Union ranks, en- listing at Geneva, Kane county, and being as- signed to Company A, Fifty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, September 6, 1861. In October the regiment went to Benton Barraeks, Missouri, and in April were ordered to the front reaching Shiloh just in time to participate in both days' fighting of that great battle. They next participated in the advance on Corinth, under Halleck, and after the evacuation they remained in that vicinity until the following summer, in the meantime, however, making one raid under Dodge through the Cherokee and Tusenmbia valleys of Alabama, and participat- ing in the various engagements in and about Corinth, including the second battle there. Sep- tember 6, one year from the date of his enlist- ment, Mr. Mills and a number of others were captured at the battle of Britton's Lane, Ten- nessee, were taken some distance into Mississippi, were paroled and sent back to the Union lines. From there they were taken to the parol camp at St. Louis, where they remained till the spring of 1863. They were then exchanged; Mr. Mills rejoined his regiment, completed his three years' term of service, was sent to Spring- field, Illinois, and was there discharged October 25, 1864. Then he re-enlisted in Hancock's Veteran Corps, and served one year.

The war over, Mr. Mills engaged in the real- estate business in Chicago, in partnership with Captain Jerry M. Hill, with whom he continued

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until the fall of 1868. Then he went to Da- kota and settled near Vermillion, Clay county, and until 1875 gave his attention to farming operations. That year he removed to a point abont three miles south of Springfield, Bon Homme county, same territory, where he con- tinued farming and stock-raising until 1880. At that time he sold out and removed to Tynd- all, now the county seat of Bon Homme county. He had all along figured prominently in public affairs, as will be hereafter noted, and in 1882 was appointed by Governor Ordway as Deputy Warden of the State Penitentiary at Sioux Falls, in which capacity he served for six years. In the tall of 1888 he came to Washington, lo- cated in the Fruitvale district of Clarke county, where several of his former friends and neigh- bors of Dakota had already taken up their residence, purchased a tract of land, and now has about twenty acres, one third of which is planted in fruit, chiefly Italian prunes, but in- cluding also a general variety of the fruits raised in this region.

Mr. Mills is a man of family. He was mar- ried at Chicago, November 22, 1866, to Miss Maria MeCollum, a native of Mc Henry, Illinois, daughter of George and Elinda (Dukes) Mc- Collum, the former a native of Ohio, of New York parentage and Scotch descent; the latter a native of Ohio and of Virginia parentage. Her parents removed from Indiana to Illinois in 1840 and settled in MeHenry county, where the father died in February, 1873, and the mother in 1887. Mr. and Mrs. Mills have five children, viz .: Alma and Edda (who are attend- ing Willamette University), Clarence Morton, Arthur Chapin and Marion Fayette.

Mr. Mills is a man of active mind and pro- gressive ideas. In Dakota he was active in county and Territorial politics from the time of his location there, taking a leading part in con- ventions. In 1870 he was elected to the Legis- latme from Clay county, and served in the ses- sion of 1870-'71. He was re-elected in 1872, and on the organization of the House was chosen its Speaker, and as the presiding officer rendering efficient service during the session of 1872-73. After his removal to Bon Homme county he was again elected to the Territorial Council of Dakota, serving in 1876-'77. He also served several terms as a member of the Board of Commissioners of Bon Homme county. Mr. Mills is a member of Washington lodge, No. 6, F. & A. M., Vancouver; belongs to Fruit

Valley Grange, No. 80, P. of H., and is Presi- dent of the County Council, P'. of H. He has been a stanch Republican ever since his first connection with political affairs.

AMES A. M.WILLIAMS, Superinten- dent of the Union Electric Company, of Seattle, was born at St. Johns, New Bruns- wick, September 11, 1839, a son of Matthew and Nancy (Harvey) McWilliams, natives also of that country, and of English ancestry. James A. was educated in the schools of his native city, where he also learned the trades of millwright and engineer, following the same as a foreman of a sawmill in St. Johns until 1883. In that year he came direct to the Pacific coast. He was first engaged in milling at Oakland, Cali- fornia, next with the Portland Milling Com- pany at Portland, and in 1885 took charge of the water works for the Spring Hill Company, at Seattle, superintending all work connected with pumps, mains and reservoirs. Under his management the capacity of the plant was in- creased from 15,000 gallons per day in 1885, to 2,500,000 gallons per day in 1890, but in that year the plant was purchased by the city of Scattle, and Mr. Mc Williams retired from the management. He was then appointed superinten- dent of the mechanical department of the Seattle General Electric Light Company, which, after consolidation became the Union Electric Com- pany, and he continued in a like capacity with the new company. Mr. McWilliams was also a prominent stockholder in that organization, having been largely interested in the first elec- tric light plant in Seattle, organized in 1887, continuing his interest through the several changes to the present consolidation, which is the leading factor in the electric lighting in Seattle. The company operates two plants, one at Sixth and Olive streets, which runs day and night, with engines of 700 horse power, and one at the corner of Eighth and Charles streets, with an equal amount of power, but which runs only at night, furnishing the arc lights of the city and incandescents for commercial districts.

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An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 152

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