An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 49

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 49

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Mr. Overlock was given a strong testimonial of his popularity in his election to the office of Mayor of Kent in 1892. He has filled the po- sition with credit to himself, and has displayed unusual executive ability, his administration having been highly satisfactory, not only to his constituency but to the general public. Hle is a member of the Masonic order, and of the 1. (). (). - F., belonging both to the subordinate lodge and to the encampment. He has been one of the most enthusiatie supporters of public enter- prises and has lost no opportunity to further the interests of his town and connty in encouraging the development of every possible resource.

He was united in marriage, in the town of Kent, January 19, 1892, to Miss Bertha M. Cox, who is a native of the State of Illinois.

J AMES R. WOOD, one of Clarke county's most substantial farmers, is a native of the old Iloosier State, born in Rush county, June 22, 1836. His parents, Jephthah W. and Frances B. (Reed) Wood, were natives of Ten- nessee and Sonth Carolina respectively. The father, who was of Welsh-German extraction, was born in 1810, and was a lad of ten years when his parents emigrated to Indiana; he was a carpenter by trade, and also followed farming in connection with his occupation. His death occurred March 17, 1887. Mrs. Wood was de- seended from Scotch ancestors. There were mem- bers of her family who figured prominently in the Revolutionary struggle and also in the war of 1812. Colonel Reed participated in the en- gagement at Bunker Hill, and Captain Jacob Reed, father of Mrs. Wood, was a -line officer under command of Gen. Jackson at the battle

of New Orleans. James R. is the second of a family of nine children, only three of whom survive at the present time. When he was a child of seven years his parents removed to Mercer county, Illinois, and there he grew to maturity. His father being a farmer he natur- ally acquired a taste for this most independent of vocations, which he has followed through life.

In the year 1866 he went to Gage county, Nebraska, and there resided for a period of fif- teen years. The States of the Pacific Coast of- fering most alluring inducements to farmers he crossed the plains and mountains in 1882, and took up his residence in Clarke county. He has a farm of 140 acres; thirty-five aeres are enlti- vated to grain, sixty-five are in natural timber and two acres are in orchards. This tract is situated nine miles northeast of Vancouver and is a very desirable piece of land.

Mr. Wood, a worthy descendant of his ances- tors, has a military record quite equal to that of his grandsire. Promptly heeding the call of country he enlisted Angust 11, 1862, in the One Hundred and Second Illinois Volunteer In- fantry, and served until the cessation of bostil- ities. His regiment was a part of the brigade commanded by the late President of the United States, General llarrison. He participated in many of the engagements of Sherman's mem- orable march through Georgia, and when he was discharged from the service it was as a brave and loyal soldier.

Mr. Wood was nnited in marriage in the State of Illinois, Angnst 27, 1859, to Miss Rebecca Shanks, who was born at Moline, Illinois. They are the parents of seven children: Wilburn S., James M., Nettie, wife of J. B. Higdon, Lonis W., Walter Il., Ford E. and Omar E.

In politics Mr. Wood adheres to the prin- ciples of the Democratic party. He has been an active member of the School Board for a number of years, and for one year served as Road Overseer. He is associated with the Pa- trons of Husbandry, Flat Wood Grange, No. 96.

S S. CAMPBELL, County Commissioner of Clarke county, was born in the State of Iowa, July 28, 1858, a son of William J. and Julia A. (Barcas) Campbell, natives of Indiana and Ohio respectively. They were the parents of ten children, of whom our subject

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was the eldest child. He removed with his parents to Multnomah county, Oregon, in 1864, where he attended the public schools, and com- pleted a collegiate course at Philomath College, in Benton county, in 1880. Mr. Campbell was then engaged in teaching for many years. In 1883 he came to Clarke county, Washington, and in 1888, in company with his father, em- barked in the drug business in La Centre, where they both still reside.

January 6, 1885, our subject was united in marriage to Miss Sarah E. Lawrence, a native of Canada. They have three children, Ada M., Alice B. and Horace W. Mr. Campbell is a stanch and active Democrat, and was the choice of his party from his district for County Com- missioner in 1892. He is still a member of that honorable board. " Socially, heaffiliates with the I. O. O. F., also the Encampment degree of that order, and has passed all of the official chairs in both branches of the order.

ROBRIDGE R. JEWELL, a well- known fruit-grower of Clarke county, Washington, is a native of Michigan, born December 24, 1841, in Calhoun connty, where he lived until a lad of thirteen years, when his family removed to Iowa and located in Black Hawk county. His parents, Philip and Eunice (Jennings) Jewell, were na- tives of New York State. The father died May 5, 1876, and the mother survived until the 6th of the following June. They had a family of three children, Trobridge R. being the second- born. Mr. Jewell was trained to the trade of a sawyer and engineer, and followed this line of business until a few years since. Ile re- sided in lowa for a period of five years, and then went to Clay county, Dakota, where he lived eighteen years.

Recognizing his duty to his country, Mr. Jewell enlisted in the First Dakota Cavalry as a private and non-commissioned officer, and was in the service for a period of three years and four months in the department of the North- west. After his discharge he gave his atten- tion to agriculture for a few years.

In 1876 he came to the coast and took up his residence in Oregon. He lived in different connties until three years ago, when he came to Clarke county and located three miles north-

west of Vanconver, where he has five acres in a young orchard and strawberries, and also culti- vates the adjoining five acres belonging to his son-in law.

Ilis marriage to Miss Sarah M. Russell oc- curred in Dakota, January 12, 1867. Mrs. Jewell is a native of Towa. They have a family of four children: Charlotte, the wife of A. L. Johnson, who is connected with the co- operative store at Vancouver; Philip H .; Hattie E., and Miles R. Mr. Jewell is an ardent sup- porter of the Democratic party. He takes an active interest in the educational facilities af- forded the youth of the land, and has served as Clerk of the School Board. He is an honored member of the G. A. R.

J OIIN GILBERT has been identified with the agricultural interests of ('larke county since 1884, and has won the right to rep- resentation in this volume. He was born in Westchester county, New York, October 30, 1817, a son of JJosiah and Sallie (Hoyt) Gilbert, also natives of the Empire State. He grew to maturity amid the scenes of his childhood, but after arriving at man's estate he left the parental roof and went in search of his fortune. Going south as far as Virginia, he located on a farm near Washington City, and there tilled the soil and engaged in raising fruit. The turmoil of the Civil war put an end to this peaceful occu- pation, and called a halt npon all the useful in- dustries of that section. Mr. Gilbert was ap- pointed assistant to his brother-in-law, General Edward Ball, Sergeant-at-arms in the House of Representatives, and held this position until 1864. About this time he became interested in the manufacture of paper, and removed to Zanesville, Ohio, where he continued in busi- ness for nineteen years.

Turning with the tide of emigration to the West, Mr. Gilbert came to the State of Wash- ington and purchased property near Tacoma. In 1884, as before stated, he located near Ridge- field, Clarke county; here he owns 200 acres of land, fifty of which he has placed under culti- vation. He has a fine orchard of five acres, chiefly planted to prunes, which yield a crop in 1893. He also has two acres of an older orch- ard planted to apples, cherries and other fruits. Mr. Gilbert's marriage occurred in Virginia,

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.

November 5, 1844, when he was united to Miss Sarah C. Ball, a sister of the well-known Union generals, William and Edward Ball. Mrs. Gil- bert is a woman of rare culture and experience. Five children have been born to our subject and wife: John J., William B., Edward T., Frank, and Mary G., wife of S. P. Mackey, a well- known merchant of Ridgefield.

B ENJAMIN STARK PETTYGROVE, a leading business man and esteemed citizen of Port Townsend, Washington, was born in Portland, Oregon, on what is now the town site of that metropolis, September 30, 1846, and enjoys the distinction of having been the first male white child born in that vicinity. His parents, Francis W. and Sophia (Ruland) Pettygrove, were natives of Maine and New York, respectively. His father was reared on a farm near Calais, Maine, and when twelve years of age began mercantile lite as clerk in a grocery store. Ile later went to New York city, where his opportunities were increased and where he followed a varied business career until 1842. In that year he accepted an offer from A. W. Benson & Co., of New York city, to bring to Oregon a stock of goods, open up a store and act as their agent. Completing ar- rangements, with a mixed eargo on board the ship Victoria, Mr. Francis Pettygrove set sail for the far West, via Cape Horn and the Sand- wich Islands. On arriving at the islands, he transferred his goods to the bard Farna, and not long afterward entered the Columbia river, anchoring near Vancouver, to await means of transporting his goods to Oregon City, his ulti- mate destination. This was finally accomplished by securing the services of a small schooner owned by the Hudson's Bay Company. On arriving at his destined location, he opened a store and entered into trade with the inhabit- ants of the surrounding country, realizing grat- ifying success. Mr. Pettygrove also interested himself in the for trade, and by erecting a warehouse at Champoeg, he controlled the wheat yield of French Prairie. He subsequent- ly located a claim on the present site of Port- land, which he had the honor of naming, ignor- ant of its future prospects as the financial center of the Northwest. A man of ability and ex- perience, he early became identified with the

progressive movements of his vicinity. In 1844 he was one of the active promulgators of the Provincial Government, and rendered material service in shaping its destiny and npholding its authority. In 1852 Mr. Pettygrove sold ont his interests in Portland, and, in company with Loren B. Hastings, purchased a small schooner, Mary Taylor, in which they departed with their families for Puget Sound. Duly arriving at Port Townsend, they found Alfred A. Plummer and Charles Batchelder already settled, and, approving of the location, Mr. Pettygrove and his partner immediately laid off claims of 640 acres each for man and wife, on which they pro- ceeded to build log cabins. These preparations completed, a copartnership was entered into by Messrs. Hastings, Pettygrove and Plummer, who proceeded to open a sinal trading post, and by cutting piles, loading vessels and doing such other work as came to them, they gained a sup- port, which was materially increased by the wild game procured by their trusty rifles from the surrounding country. Mr. Pettygrove subse- quently engaged in farming, in which he was actively employed until 1875, when he retired from business, to enjoy in leisure the abundant means which his industry and thrift had accu- mnlated. He died in 1887, aged seventy-five years, followed to his grave by the heartfelt sor- row of the entire Northwest, who had known him so many years and appreciated his many admirable traits of character. His broken- hearted wife followed him to the tomb within a few months, at the age of sixty-five years, as if unable to endure a separation after so many years of close companionship. Mr. Francis Pettygrove was a quiet, nnpretentions man, en- dowed with strong characteristics of honor and integrity, and his influence for good in the social and moral welfare of his community was both wide and deep, and his memory will be cherished with affection by all who knew him. Ilis worthy wife was a typical pioneer woman, sharing with her husband all the hardships and vicissitudes incident to making a home in the the Northwest in the early day, and deserves the regard of all who enjoy the fruits of that civilization which she assisted in planting in the western wilds.

Benjamin S. Pettygrove, whose name heads this sketch, inherited from his parents a dower of intelligence and energy with an honored name, and was trained to habits of industry and thrift, which, together with a persevering will,

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have raised him to his present position of pros- perity and influence. He attended the local schools and afterward took a course at the Wes- leyan Institute in Olympia. In 1869 he made his first trip to Maine and witnessed the scene of his father's nativity. On returning to Port Townsend he engaged in farming and dairying, in which he was quite snecessful, and with the proceeds of which he purchased eighty aeres of his father's claim. He continued to be thus occupied until 1889, when he leased his land and retired from the hardships of farm life to devote himself to other interests and that re- pose which former years of industry had ren- dered possible. In 1890 be erected his present handsome residence on the corner of Wall and Second streets, the site of his father's original homestead, thus adding to the comfort of a home the pleasure experienced from occupying land onee hallowed by the presence of absent dear ones.

In 1874 Mr. Pettygrove was married in Vic- toria to Mrs. Zaila HI. (Mckinley) Sweeney, an estimable lady, who was a native of Ohio. She had three children by a former marriage: Nor- man, deceased; Antoinette; and Carlton. To the second marriage was born one child, Benja- min F. After six years of invalidism the de- voted wife and mother died, Jannary 25, 1893, leaving a bereaved family and many friends to monrn her loss.

Politically, Mr. Pettygrove is a Republican, but not active in public affairs, his domestic lite and numerous landed interests absorbing most of his time and attention. He is, however, in- tensely public-spirited, and any project tending to advanee the welfare of his community is assured of his approval and substantial assist- ance, and he is justly numbered among the representative citizens of Port Townsend, Wash- ington.

E J. WEBSTER, a large capitalist of Washington, who has been identified with the interests of Spokane for the past ten years, has been a potent factor in advancing the growth and development of this city. In both his public and private connections he has always acted to the best interests of Spokane, and his only objeet in view has been the wel- fare of this community.

Mr. Webster was born in Michigan, in Octo- ber, 1847, the eighth in a family of eight ehil- dren. His parents, A. J. and Alzora (Norton) Webster, were natives of Vermont and New York, respectively. Grandfather Ebenezer Web- ster passed his life and died in Vermont. Grand- father Noah Norton was among the early emi- grants to Michigan, he having located there when it was a Territory. It was he who built the first house in Adrian. The Indians were then plentiful there, and when Mr. Webster's mother was a little girl the noted chieftain, Tecumseh, gave her a fawn. Mr. Webster's father also settled in Michigan during Terri- torial times. Hle was at first engaged in farin- ing there, but afterward turned his attention to the manufacture of wagons and carriages, in which he was very successful. He is a local preacher in the Methodist Church, and is now living at Hudson, Michigan. Ilis wife passed away seven years ago.

In January, 1864, the subject of this sketch enlisted in the Fourth Michigan Regiment of Infantry, following the example of his father and three brothers who had already responded to the call of their country. At the battle of Cold Harbor he was shot through both legs below the knees, and after a year's confinement in the hospital he was compelled to return home. His injuries were of so serions a nature that for three long years he was obliged to use erntebes. After his return home he finished his high-school course at Hudson, took a com- mercial course in a business college at Detroit, and in 1868 entered the University of Michi- gan at Ann Arbor, where he took a special course in the literary and law departments, graduating in March, 1870. During this time he was for two years private secretary of Judge Thomas M. Cooley, then Professor of Law in the University.

Through the influence of Judge Cooley, Mr. Webster received the appointment of United States Deputy Marshal for the census of 1870. He was the youngest deputy in Michigan, and did the work in six townships, the largest dis- triet in the State. After having finished this work he commenced the practice of his profes- sion at Hudson, but within one year was nnfor- tunate in losing his library by fire. He then went to California and visited nearly all the towns and cities of the West. Subsequently, he returned home and at once disposed of his property and then started on a tour through

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California, South America, Central America and Mexico. Ile served as Deputy County Clerk in Oakland, California, for one year, and afterward practiced law there, remaining in that city ten years. During that period he took an active part in political matters.

Since 1882 Mr. Webster has been a resident of Spokane. Upon locating here lie at once in- vested in property and began the practice of law, Spokane at that time being a town of about 700 inhabitants. Soon, however, he turned his attention to real-estate business, and operated very extensively. Mr. Webster has been elose- ly connected with the varions enterprises which have transformed Spokane from a small town to a rapidly growing city. Ile was president of the Ross Park Street Railroad Company; was one of the founders of the Fairmount Cemetery Association, which has expended over 850.000 on the cemetery making it one of the most beautiful in the West. It is located five miles northwest of Spokane and comprises 180 acres. The company gave five acres to the city and county for the official burial ground, and also donated 340 lots in the most beautiful parts of the grounds to the G. A. R. Mr. Webster is now president of this company. He has been pres- ident of the Gentlemen's Business Club of this city for two terms. Ile is owner and proprietor of the Minnehaha Springs and Health Resort, a beautiful park comprising thirty acres. Ile is putting up large quantities of water from these springs, it having been analyzed by Wal- ter S. Ilaines, M. D., of Rush Medical College, the most famous chemist of the United States in the analysis of waters. The Doctor pro- nounces it the purest water known. Mr. Web- ster also owns 500 acres of the Minnehaha Ad- dition. He is the owner of the Electric Line Addition, the South Highland Park Addition, half of the Jerome Park Addition, and until recently was the largest owner of the Eastside Syndicate Addition. He owns the Tidball block on Riverside avenne, which was built at a cost of $150,000, the Genesee block, and has 500 acres on the river, two miles and a half above the city. lle also owns considerable real estate in the business part of Spokane, and is now erecting several buildings,-his property being assessed at $500,000. Ile has been a member of the Board of Trade here since its organization. He helped to organize the first G. A. R. post here, -- Sedgwick Post, -- and was its first Commander,

It is, however, in an educational line that Mr. Webster has, perhaps, done the most to advance Spokane's interests. For six years he has acted as a member of the School Board, and for three years has been President of the Board. During this time the sites of the present school buildings were selected, and the corps of teach- ers was increased from four to twenty-four. To his exertious in behalf of the educational inter- ests much of the present admirable school sys- tem is dne.

B URTON N. CARRIER, whose law office is situated in the Ziegler Block, on Howard street and Riverside avenne, Spokane, Washington, is a man who, by hard work, patient study, untiring perseverance and an indomitable will, has made for himself a position among the prominent lawyers of his day.

Mr. Carrier was born in Columbus, Pennsyl- vania, July 14, 1844, son of George W. and Juliette (Carley) Carrier, natives of Connecti- cut and Pennsylvania, respectively, he being the oldest of their five children. As in the case of many other country boys, his opportunities for acquiring an education of any kind were most decidedly limited, the question of living and keeping farm being of far greater import- anee than that of becoming learned and well read. It was with him the same old story of work all day and study by eandle-light in the evening, with a few winter terms at a distriet school; this was his life until he reached eigh- teen years, when he found himself wielding the birch as a teacher. Then ensned the usual routine of teaching, studying and working for several years.

Mr. Carrier first turned his attention to law in 1872, when he . commenced studying in the law office of Crosby & Brown, at Corry, Penn- sylvania, and in 1874 was admitted to practice at Modelia, Minnesota. In 1875 he removed to Worthington, and the same year was elected Clerk of the District Court, which office he held for eight years, during which time he was engaged in practicing law. He then removed to Minneapolis, where he remained five years, being actively engaged in the practice of his profession. Although doing well, he became imbned with the restless spirit which will at times come over the average Western man, and,

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taking Horaee Greeley's advice to young men, he came further West to Washington. Locat- ing at Richville, he taught school and also practiced law nutil 1888, when he came to Spokane. Here he at once established himself in practice and took charge of the abstract business of the firm of J. M. Thompson. In 1892 he was a candidate for City Attorney on the People's party ticket. but was defeated after a spirited campaign by the Republican nominee.

In 1869 Mr. Carrier married Miss Addie Mead. They have three children, viz .: Gertie M., wife of W. J. Walker, a newspaper man of Spokane: George A., who is in the law office with Turner, Graves & Mckinstry; and Rob- ert B.

Mr. Carrier is a member of Masonie Lodge, Lodge No. 101, of Worthington, Minnesota, and of Chapter No. 28, at the same place. Ilis church relationship is with the Presbyterians.

W PARRY SMITH, of Seattle, Washing- ton, was born in London, England, in July, 1836, the only child of Captain W. Parry and Elizabeth (Raymond) Smith, na- tives also of that country. The father followed the sea for a number of years, and his life was early sacrificed in the line of duty, as he died of yellow fever while in port on the coast of Africa.

When but fourteen years of age the subject of this sketch adopted the occupation of his father, and sailed as eabin boy on an English vessel engaged in trade with China and the East Indies. Being of studious habits young Smith aseended the line of promotion with great rapidity, and before reaching his twentieth year beeame mate. llis early service was on English vessels, but a little later he sailed under the American flag, which was the flag of his subse- quently adopted country. He first visited the Paeitie Coast at San Francisco, in 1851, but did not make the coast his home until ten years later. Mr. Smith has sailed once around the world, and his visited nearly every important port. Ilis first naturalization papers were taken out in 1855, while living in Baltimore, Mary- land, where he was engaged in steamboating about the gulf and river, and also in stevedor- ing on the water front. In 1868 he returned to San Francisco, was employed in the lumber trade along the coast and Puget Sound, and also

in pilot boat service near the Golden Gate. In 1864 hecame to Puget Sound, was employed by the Port Madison Mill Company in the saw mill at Usaladdy until 1870, engaged in milling in Seattle one year, followed farming on the Dwamish river for a short time, and in 1873 purchased three and one-fourth acres of land near Seattle, on Lake Union, his present home, and for which he paid $50 per acre. He sue- ceeded in paying for this place by grubbing stumps at $1.50 per day and boarding himself. During those days there was but little money in the country, and constant work was required to purchase the necessaries of life. In 1878 Mr. Smith took the contract to carry the mail from Seattle to Snoqualmie, on horseback, a distance of forty-three miles, in which commis- sioner he continued two years. In 1880 he was elected to the office of Constable by the Re- publican party, served two years; was then Deputy Sheriff five years under IIon. J. H. Me- Graw; Deputy United States Marshal, under Charles Hopkins; Deputy Assessor two years under W. II. Hughes, and since that time Mr. Smith has followed real-estate business.

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An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 49

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