An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 51

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 51

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Mr. Dunning was married, in 1867, to Miss Josephine Heller, of McDonough, New York, and he and his wife have had three children: William H., who died in 1887; Anna A., an artist and a graduate of Mt. Carroll Seminary, Illinois; and Mary E .. The family are members of the Unitarian Church, of which Mr. Dun-

ning is Trustee and Treasurer. A gentleman of fine appearance and pleasing address, frank and cordial with all he meets, an earnest and efficient worker in whatever he undertakes, Mr. Duuming is as popular as he is useful.

F RANK A. BARTLETT, proprietor of of the mercantile house of C. C. Bart- lett & Co., and one of the most popular business men of Port Townsend, Washington, was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, April 23, 1859. He is the only child of Charles Car- roll and Mary (Kane) Bartlett, of English-Irish ancestry. The progenitors of the Bartlett fam- ily emigrated from England to New England about 1634, and a descendant, Josiah Bartlett, was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

Charles Carroll Bartlett, father of the subject of this sketch, was born, reared and educated in Kennebunk, Maine. Hle afterward went to Massachusetts, where he learned to manufac- ture boots and shoes, which business he fol- lowed uninterruptedly until 1864. In this year he 'embarked from New York city on the steamer Golden Age for Aspinwall, with San Francisco as his ultimate goal. Arriving at Aspinwall, he erossed the Isthmus to Panama and embarked on the steamer Golden Gate for San Francisco, but the steamer, becoming dis- abled on the way, it was towed into port by the steamer Northern Light. Mr. Bartlett then sailed on the brig Monitor for Puget Sound, and landed at Port Discovery, Angust 1, 1864. He shortly afterward crossed to Port Townsend, where he opened the Washington Hotel, which he managed successfully two years. He then purchased the general merchandise store of Franeis W. James and continued in that busi- ness until 1871, when he sold his interest to Mr. James. Mr. Bartlett then bought the store and stock of Hastings Brothers, and, increasing the general stock, conducted it profitably for nine years. At the end of this time, in 1880, he erected the present handsome stone business block, containing two stores, 55 x 100 feet, which cost $50,000. When completed he moved his stock into it, and in company with his brother, F. Albert Bartlett, and his son, Frank A., he organized the firm of C. C. Bartlett & Co., re- tiring from the active management of the busi-

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ness shortly afterward. In 1883 he opened a trading post at Juneau, where he engaged in salmon-packing and mining operations; which he continued about eight years. In 1888 he repurchased the interest of F. Albert Bartlett in the store, the firm name continuing the same. Besides his individual business enterprises, Mr. Bartlett found time to take an active interest in the development of his adopted and favored city. Its citizens in turn sought to secure the benefit of his long and varied experience in public affairs by electing him to a number of responsible offices. He served them faithfully and efficiently for a number of years in each of the following offices: County Treasurer and County and Pilot Commissioner. He died in January, 1893, aged fifty-five years, leaving his widow and only child, Frank A. Bartlett, to perpetuate his name and inherit his fortune. The sense of loss which his death occasioned was not confined to members of his family, for his charity had been no less extensive than his enterprises, and many survived to bless his memory, while his community, which he had benefited by public counsel and wise adminis- tration of its affairs, realized it had experienced a deep calamity.

Frank A. Bartlett, the subject of this sketch, son, survivor and perpetuater of an honored name, was about five years of age when he ac- companied his father and mother to the Pacific coast, thus early becoming initiated in the hard- ships of pioneer life. He was reared in Port Townsend and educated in her publie schools and at Bishop Scott's grammar school at Port- land, Oregon. When eighteen years of age he entered his father's store as clerk, there learn- ing those practical lessons in mercantile affairs which has been the foundation of a wide ex- perience and great prosperity. Three years later, on attaining his majority, he became a partner in the firm and also general manager of the business, a deserved tribute to his ability and energy. That this confidence was not mis- placed is proved by the steady progress of the business to its present large proportions, its operations being in general merchandise and shipchandlery.

In 1880 Mr. Bartlett was married to Miss Leila Seavey, an intelligent and accomplished lady, daughter of James Seavey, a well-known pioneer of the Northwest, and they have two children: Charles Carroll and Francis Merrill.

In politics Mr. Bartlett is a Republican, and

has done meritorious service in a number of publie offices of trust. He was six years County Treasurer, two years a member of the City Council, and for some time Chairman of the Board of Health of Puget Sound. He has al- ways stood ready to aid the business enter- prises of his community, and his known finan- cial ability and integrity have placed him in prominent positions in these undertakings. He was four years president of the Chamber of Commerce, has been treasurer of the Pnget Sound Telegraph Company, director of Port Townsend Mill Company, president of the Port Townsend Steel, Wire and Nail Company, and has taken an active interest in organizing the Port Townsend Gas and Fuel Company, and is justly considered one of the representative busi- ness men of the Key City of Puget Sound.

L EMUEL P. HOLE, of Spokane, Wash - ington, was born in Ohio, in 1860; his parents, Lemnel and Unity C. (Stanley) Hole, natives of Virginia. Our subject was educated in the Damascus Academy, at Damas- ens, Ohio, and in the Mount Union College at Mount Union, that State. He was then en- gaged in the loan business at Mankato, Kansas, three years; followed the same occupation at Huron, Dakota, three years, and then came to Spokane, Washington, where he has since been engaged in that business. Mr. Hole has a fine residence at 2212 Dean Avenue, which is furn- ished with all the modern improvements. So- cially, he is a member of the Uniformed Rank and Myrtle Lodge, No. 14, K. of P.

He was married in 1886 to Miss Sarah E. Cooper, a native of Ohio. Mr. Hole is a thor- ough student, is posted in all the details of his business, and is kind and affable to all with whom he is brought in contact.

M M. COWLEY, president of the Trad- ers' National Bank of Spokane, Wash- ington, was born in Ireland, in 1841, and came to the United States in 1856, lo- cating in Rochester, New York. In 1858 he crossed the plains to California, in which State he remained until the fall of 1861, when he

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went to Hillsborough, Oregon, and remained there that winter. The next spring he moved to Walla Walla, Washington, and has made this State his home ever since.

He started a general merchandise store at Spokane Bridge, seventeen miles east of Spo- kane, in 1872, and did nearly all kinds of busi- ness, at that point continually until 1879, when he removed to Spokane. and has been promi- nently identified with that city since its first house was built. He was one of the organizers of the Traders' National Bank, which was founded in 1885; was its cashier for years, and is now its president. Under his management its capital has been increased from $75,000 to $200,000, and the bank is considered the soundest financial institution in the State.

Mr. Cowley was married in Walla Walla, Washington, in 1873, to Miss Annie Connelly. a native of Ireland. They have two daughters, namely: Mary Frances, aged seventeen years, and Nellie B., aged fifteen,-both attending school (the Academy of the Sacred Heart) in San Francisco, California.

Mr. Cowley is largely interested in real es- tate in and around Spokane; is a Democrat in his political views, and in his religious connec- tions he is a member of the Catholic Church. He is loved and respected hy all who know him, and there is probably no man in the State more thoroughly posted in the early history of this locality than he.

N UTON E. NUZUM, a prominent young lawyer of Spokane, Washington, is the son of Rev. G. W. Nuzum. a distin- guished Methodist divine of Viroqua, Wisconsin, where Nuton was born April 28, 1862.

At the age of seventeen he graduated in the high school at Mazo Manie, Wisconsin, and en- gaged in business for himself, but shortly af- terward entered the service of Phelps, Dodge & Palmer, of Chicago, one of the larbest boot and shoe houses in the world, as a traveling sales- man, and remained with them until the spring of 1887. In September, 1889, he visited this city and was attracted to the real estate busi- ness then so flourishing. He immediately opened a real-estate office and soon became one of the best posted and most successful real-es-

tate men in the city. Later he took charge of the business interests of John Burke, the Lew- iston and Tacoma banker.

Mr. Nuzum had always manifested an apti- tude for the profession of law, and even while in business had always given his leisure to its study. Early in 1891 he was brought into fre- quent association with Mr. Thomas C. Griffitts, who, recognizing his ability and energy, se- enred him for business associate and manager. As a result the firm has greatly prospered, and Mr. Nuzum has won the assurance of a brilliant future. His firm probably manages greater trusts than any other in the State.

C HARLES E. HALE, president and gen- eral manager of the Tacoma Grocery Company, has taken a part in building np the commercial interests of Tacoma that can- uot be ignored in the history of the State in which that city is such an important center. There is no single institutution in the city which has done more to give Tacoma prestige in the territory and in the channels of com- merce from which it derives its support, than this important company. Mr. Hale has been the chief factor in placing the concern in the position it now occupies, yet this is but one of the many avenues through which he has aided in building up the city. For these reasons, a mention of his career and origin becomes inter- esting and valuable in connection with the chronicle of the later development of this region.

Charles E. Hale was born in Spencer, Massa- chusetts, July 14, 1848, and was reared to man- hood there, receiving his education in the com- mon and high schools of the town. At the age of sixteen years, he began a life of usefulness as an apprentice to the jeweler's trade, at which his time was occupied for four years, the last year as a finished workman. He then went West, and in the city of Lafayette, Indiana, en- tered the employ of O. W. Pierce & Comp iny, wholesale grocers. Nine years with that house gave him a knowledge of that line of business, embracing a complete mastery of all the details of its handling, and with this essential experi- ence and the means he had accumulated, during its acquirements, Mr. Hale embarked in the wholesale grocery business at Lafayette ou 'his

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own account. Three years of constant applica- iion in the building up of his business, left him with health broken, and to regain his wonted strength and energy, he decided upon closing ont his interests there, and going south for a period of recuperation. This object having been accomplished, he selected Peoria, Illinois, as a location for bis re-entry into business, and for seven years he was one of the prominent wholesale grocers of that important jobbing point. In January, 1887, Mr. Hale came to Tacoma to cast his lot with that promising young city, and opened a wholesale grocery es- tablishment, which was merged into the Tacoma Grocery Company, incorporated in August, 1888. of which he was then chosen President, in which capacity he has since ably served its in- terests. Of this concern it is unnecessary to speak at length; it is one of the bulwarks of the city.

No enterprise is undertaken in Tacoma with- out soliciting the assistance of Mr. Hale; to all that promise substantial benefits to its interests, his encouragement is freely given. In many undertakings he has taken the initiative. He is a charter member of Tacoma's Union Club, and is an important unit in the composition of the Chamber of Commerce and the Commercial Club, with both of which organizations he has worked bravely and untiringly for Tacoma. These remarks are but the just and unvarnished tribute of history, briefly stated.

Mr. Hale was married in Lafayette, Indiana, to Miss Fanny Taylor; her father, William Taylor, figures in the history of Cincinnati as the first white child born upon the site of that city.

R H. THOMSON, Civil Engineer of the city of Seattle, Washington, is. one of the progressive and enterprising young men of the Northwest. As such it is fitting that some personal mention be made of him in this work.

R. H. Thomson was born in Hanover, In- diana, in 1856, son of Samuel H. and Sophronia (Clifton) Thomson, natives of Kentucky. The Thomson family originated in Scotland. Will- iam C. Thomson went from Glasgow about 1720 to Donegal county, Ireland, from whence his son, James Thomson, and his family emi- grated to this country in 1771 and settled in

Franklin county, Pennsylvania. From that place their descendants spread out over the United States, some of them being farmers and others ministers, lawyers, doctors and engineers. The Cliftons are descended from French Hugue- nots, who came to this country at an early day. Samuel H. Thomson was a scientist and edu- cator, and for thirty-two years was Professor of Astronomy and Mathematics at Hanover Col- lege, covering the period from 1844 to 1876. During this period there were conferred upon him the honorary degrees of A. M., Ph. D. and LL. D. He resigned his position there in 1876, and the following year came to California and settled at Healdsburg, where for four years he conducted the Healdsburg Institute. He died in 1882, in the seventieth year of his age. His widow is still living, having reached her sev- enty-third year. They had nine children, four of whom are now living, the subject of our sketch being the youngest son.

Mr. Thomson was educated in the Hanover College, where he graduated in 1877, receiving at graduation the degree of A. B., and more recently the degree of A. M. Engineering had been a specialty in his course of study. He came to California with his parents in 1877, and taught in the mathematical department of the Healdsburg Institute until 1881. That year he came to Seattle, arriving here Septem- ber 26, the city at that time comprising a pop- ulation of about 3,500. Mr. Thomson found employment in the office of F. H. Whitworth, City and County Surveyor, and in 1882 en- tered into partnership with him under the firm name of Whitworth & Thomson. They con- ducted a general line of engineering in railroad, mining and city work. From August 1884, until August, 1886, Mr. Thomson was City Engineer, and during that time drew the plans for the construction of the Union street sewer. This was the first sewer constructed in Seattle on thoroughly modern principles, and has been the pattern for much subsequent work. He also drew plans for and superintended the con- struction of the Grant street bridge, which is a roadway twenty-six feet wide and two miles long, built on trestle across the tide flats south of the city, connecting the city with the manu- facturing districts.

In December, 1886, the firm of Whitworth & Thomson dissolved, and Mr. Thomson be- came the locating engineer of the Seattle, Lake Shore & Eastern Railroad, tilling that position

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until March. 1889. The country was rough, in many places making railroad work almost im- possible, but his lines were adopted on many miles of main line west of the mountains. In March, 1888, he went to Spokane Falls, on the eastern division of the road, and located the two erossings of the Spokane river, and the line of road through that city, and also had charge of the construction of that part of the road, and of the depot and terminals. With the completion of that work he returned to Seattle and organ- ized the engineering firm of R. II. Thomson & Co. After one year the firm changed to Thomson & White, continning in a general line of work. In 1890 Mr. Thomson was appointed United States Deputy Mineral Surveyor for Washington, giving particular attention to the iron deposits of the Cascade monntains. In June, 1891, he was appointed Connty Sur- veyor, which position he resigned in May, 1892, to accept the appointment of City Engineer of Seattle, the partnership of Thomson & White being dissolved at this time. As City Engineer he has had under construction two sewer tun- nels, each one mile long, connecting the interior valleys with the bay. These tunnels were ex- ceedingly difficult to handle, running as they did through material of a glacial deposit con- sisting of clay intermixed with water, gravel and quicksand, at a depth of 135 to 285 feet under cover. These works have been carried to a successful completion by Mr. Thomson, al- though many skilled men believed success to be impossible.

In 1883 Mr. Thomson was married, in Cali- fornia, to Miss Addie, danghter of James Laugh- lin, one of the first settlers of Sonoma county. They have two children, James Harrison and Marion.

He is a member of no societies, but is a de- voted believer in the doctrines of the Presby- terian Church, as were his forefathers for many generations.

H ON. C. CROSBY, a representative pio- neer of Washington, dates his advent to the State as early as 1851. Since that time he has been prominently identified with the growth and prosperity of Thurston and Lewis counties. When the industries of milling and manufacturing were in their in- fancy he gave every encouragement to those

undertaking their establishment. Ile justly has the distinction of being the pioneer merchant of Centralia, but inasmuch as many of the en- terprises with which he has been connected are mentioned at length on other pages of this volume, this sketch will be confined to his per- sonal history.

The place of his birth is East Brewster, Massachusetts, and the date January 6, 1838. His parents, Clanrick and Phebe II. (Fessen- den) Crosby, were also natives of Massachusetts, and were descendants of old and influential New England families. Clanrick Crosby was a seafaring man, and was commander of the brig Grecian, the vessel in which the family sailed around Cape Horn to California in 1849. After some time in the port of San Francisco, Captair Crosby continued his voyage north to Portland, Oregon, where he disposed of his in- terest in the vessel and gave up his command. The following year (1850) he came to Washing- ton and purchased property where the town of Tumwater now stands; there be engaged in milling and proseented other enterprises until the time of his death, in 1875.

C. Crosby, son of the above, is the eldest of a family of six children; he was a student in the schools of Forest Grove, Oregon, and also at Tumwater, where the family joined the father in 1852. After leaving school he engaged in business with his father, and remained at Tum- water until 1874; he then located permanently at Centralia and embarked in mercantile trade, which he has continued to conduct with marked snecess through a long term of years. He was elected County Commissioner of Thurston county in 1865, and for nine years served as Postmaster of Centralia, discharging the duties of this office with rare fidelity. In 1885 he was joint Conneilman in the Territorial Legis- lature, the district he represented comprising Lewis and Thurston counties. Hle has been twice elected a member of the City Council, and has rendered the community most excellent service as a member of the Board of Trade. For many years he has given especial attention to the educational facilities afforded the youth of the State, and has done much to elevate the standard in his county.

Besides his mercantile business, Mr. Crosby has other investments that have proven very profitable; he has been one of the leading fac- tors in the development of the native resources of both Thurston and Lewis counties, and is

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highly esteemed by all classes of citizens. Po- litically be adheres to the principles of the Re- publican party. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., and of the order of Good Fellows.

He was married at Tumwater, December 23, 1863, to Miss Martha Ward, of Stark county, Illinois, and of this union four children have been born: Walter E. and Fannie (wife of T. J. Horner) survive; those deceased are Carrie E. and Ella M., who was the wife of Mr. W. H. l'eter.

C IIARLES S. WEST, superintendent and State agent of the Columbia River Paper Mills, is a resident of La Camas. Al- though the mills are located in this State, the industry is really an Oregon enterprise, and is owned almost exclusively by Portland capital. The plant was established about eight years ago, and is now worth abont $250,000. The mills are located at one of the most picturesque points along the Columbia river, are among the largest on the coast, and their product will com- pare favorably with those of any of the leading paper mills in the country. They give em- ployment to about eighty men, without in- eluding those engaged in getting out cotton- wood for the pulps. They consume about 3,000 cords of wood annually for pulps alone. The mills run continuously day and night, and are lighted by their own electric-light system. Mr. West, who superintends the entire plant, has spent his entire life in the manufacture of paper, as has also his father, who is an expert in the business. The latter was at particular pains to extend to his son his full knowledge, and the result is that our subject is familiar with the entire process, and has pa rod through every department. He works continually for the upbuilding of the reputation of the com- pany, quickly adapts any new ideas that will tend to improve the quality of the products of the mill, and to him the company owe much for the reputation they enjoy on the coast as manufacturers of superior paper.

Charles S. West was born in Massachusetts, Mareh 24, 1847, a son of George W. and Laura A. (Smith) West. The father was born in En- gland in 1822, and came to America in 1844. The mother was a native of Connecticut, and her death occurred the same year as our sub- ject's birth. Charles S., his parents' only child,

was reared and educated in Massachusetts, and in early life began the business which he has since continuonsly followed. He served as sn- perintendent of the Vandalia Mills, of Illinois, five years; held a similar position at Batavia four years, and has five years' experience with the Turner Falls Mills, of Massachusetts. Mr. West took charge of the La Camas plant in February, 1890, and through his efforts the property and products have been brought to a high state of perfection.

At Watertown, New York, February 11, 1868, Mr. West was united in marriage to Miss Margaret A. Green, a native of that State. They have three living children: George C., employed in the mill; Catherine C., wife of F. F. Pittock, a journalist, and connected with the Daily Oregonian; and Laura A., at home. The deceased children arc Joseph and Mary A. In politieal matters Mr. West is a stanch and active Republican. Socially, he affiliates with the F. & A. M., and now fills the official ehair in the East of La Camas blue lodge, No. 75. He is also a member of Chapter No. 9, of Van- couver, Washington.

ON. ROBERT C. IlILL, an honored pioneer of Puget Sound, Washington, and cashier of the First National Bank at Port Townsend, was born at Hat- borough, Pennsylvania, September 14, 1829. His parents, Dr. John H. and Eliza L. (Davis) Ilill, were natives of Delaware and Pennsyl- vania, respectively. His father, Dr. Hill, practiced medicine in Hatborough until 1836, when he removed to Philadelphia and engaged in the drug business.

The subject of this sketeh was educated in the grammar and high schools of that City of Brotherly Love, and when seventeen years of age entered mercantile life as clerk in a dry- goods store, later being employed by the Richardson Manufacturing Company, with which corporation he continued until 1848. He then joined his father in New Jersey and engaged in the milling business. In the meantime, gold having been discovered in California, the country was thrown into great excitement, and among others who hastened to the Golden State were the subject of this sketch, his father and two brothers, Nathaniel D. and HIumphrey.

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They embarked in 1850 via the Panama route, arriving in San Francisco in July of the same year. The father of the subject of this notice there opened a lumber yard, and Robert acted as clerk in connection with this enterprise for a year. Being desirous, however, of trying his fortune in the mines, Robert went to Salmon river, where a short experience satisfied him that the work was too laborious, and he returned to San Francisco, where he engaged in the grain and feed business. In 1852 he be- eame manager of his brother William's rauch in Sonoma Valley, and in February, 1853, removed to Whidby island, whence his brothers, Nathaniel D. and Humphrey, had settled in the previous year. Mr. Hill, of this notice, there located a claim adjoining that of Colonel Eby, and at once engaged in farming. This peaceful occupation was interrupted by the Indian war of 1855-'56, during which he was a member of the staff of Major Van Bokkelen, of the Northern Battalion, whose operations were on Snoqualmie prairie and along the Snohomish river. Ile afterward served three years as Clerk of the United States District Court of the Third Judicial District, over which Judge E. C. Fitzhugh presided, and which was the first court held in Coveland, on Whidby island, and which was later transferred to Port Town- send.

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An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 51

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