An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 53

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 53

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Ile was married in March, 1870, to Miss Lora (). Cradall, of Eugene, Oregon, and has two children, Frank J. and Georgia.

Mr. Reed has frequently been spoken of for political preferment, but has always declined office. He is an Odd Fellow.

H ARVEY JAMES BROWN, attorney-at- law, Spokane, Washington, was born in Marion county, Oregon, in 1860. Ilis father, John J. Brown, was born near Gallatin, Sumner county, Tennessee, and his mother, Sarah Emeline (Kirkpatrick) Brown, was born in Adams county, Illinois. His father and mother were among the early pio- neers, having crossed the plains and settled in Lane county, Oregon, in 1852. The subject of this sketch is the youngest of four brothers. He had the best of educational 'advantages, re- ceived his early training in mercantile pursuits,

I. M. Colman

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.

and his early education at Salem, Oregon. He took a college course at the Albany Collegiate Institute; attended the Business College at Portland and studied law at the Columbian University, Lebanon, Tennessee, gradnating with the degree of LL.B. at the last named in- stitution in 1888.

After his graduation he at once located in Spokane, and the same year he was admitted to the Bar of the State of Washington. In the fol- lowing year (1889), he began the practice of his profession with Johnston & Dabney. He takes an active part in political matters and in 1890 was nominated by the Democratie party for the State Legislature. He was, however, defeated, on account of his district being overwhelmingly Republican. Mr. Brown is a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Spokane and of the Y. P. S. C. E., also a Sigina Alpha Epsilon fraternity man. IIe was united in marriage to Mies Rosa Mack, of Neodeska, Kansas, in 1890; the bride was a beautiful and highly cultured lady, and at her death, which occurred in the fall of the same year of her marriage, was sincerely mourned by her husband and a host of her friends.

J AMES MURRAY COLMAN. To no one man is greater credit due for individual ef- fort in the development of Seattle than to James M. Colman, who, though in no sense a pioneer of the town, brought to the pioneer set- tlement a business force and enterprise which resulted in untold benefit to the little struggling community. Mr. Colman was born in Dun- fermline, Fifeshire, Scotland, June 17, 1832. After receiving a thorough technical education as a machinist and engineer he came to the United States in 1854. He was employed for short time at Paterson, New Jersey, but the same year removed to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and entered a large machine shop. His ability soon brought him marked recognition and after six months he was made superintendent of the shop.

In 1858 he married Miss Agnes, daughter of George H. Henderson, of Waukesha county, and remained in Milwaukee up to 1861, when he learned of the undeveloped resources and superior opportunities of the Pacific coast, and by water and the Isthmus of Panama he came to San Francisco. While there he fell in with

the agents of the Port Madison Mill, and by them was engaged as manager of the large saw- mill at Port Madison, and at once came to Puget Sound and entered upon the duties of his position. In the spring of 1864, Mr. Colman purchased of Renton and Howard the old Port Orchard mill, and left Port Madison to take charge of his own property. This mill was torn down and replaced by a more modern mill in 1868, and the latter was entirely destroyed by fire within the following year. This disaster left him bankrupt and penniless, but his repu- tation as the best machinist and millright on the Sound was thoroughly established and employ- ment was readily found. Hanson, Ackerman & Company, proprietors of the large sawmill at old Tacoma were desirons of rebuilding upon a much larger scale and Mr. Colman was prompt- ly engaged at a liberal salary as superintendent of the work and manager of their business. He constructed the largest and most conveniently arranged and economically operated mill on the Sound. Thoroughly satisfied with the work the company then engaged Mr. Colman as super- intendent of the mill, and he continued in that capacity until spring, 1872, when he removed to Seattle. He then leased the old Yesler mill for Preston & MeKennon of San Francisco for three years and took charge of the mill for those gentlemen. From this date he became a leading factor in the development of Seattle. Lumber was at that time the leading industry of the Sound, although some coal was being shipped from Bellingham Bay, though in limited quan- tities, as there were no railroads and no direct steamship communications with San Francisco, Money was a scarce commodity and commanded readily two and one-half per cent. per month. Seattle was a place of about 1,000 inhabitants, with a smaller population than Olympia and less business than either Steilacoom or Port Townsend. The only manufacturing enterprise was the sawmill conducted by Mr. Colman, and the only commeree was the interchange of a saek of flour and a side of bacon for a bushel or two of potatoes raised among the stumps on White or Dwamish rivers. About this time there was great enthusiasm manifest over the prospective terminus of the Northern Pacific railroad being established at Seattle, but when the terminus was fixed on Commencement bay and named Tacoma, the hopes for Seattle's becoming a rail- road town were dissipated, and for a time the most sanguine became depressed. The reaction

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.

soon came, and it was resolved that, failing of help from outside sources, the citizens would show what they could do for themselves. A mass meeting was called and the Seattle and Walla Walla Railroad Company was organized. Survey previously made was secured and stock was liberally subscribed by the citizens. Owing to the scarcity of money, almost all this stock was paid for in land at an appraised valne. Two separate days were chosen, and all able-bodied men in the town turned out with pick and shovel, while the ladies of the town attended with an elaborate basket lunch for the laborers. In this manner about three miles of road bed was made ready for the ties. In a short time the enterprise languished for want of ready funds. The citizens having failed to enlist capital in their little railroad enterprise, after having twice sent representatives to the East for this purpose, Mr. Colinan foresaw that the com- pletion of this road and the developing of the coal mines along the ronte would save Seattle from settling down into a mere milling hamlet. He presented to the business men of the city the following proposition: he would advance $10,000 to the company if five other men, all of greater wealth than himself, would advance an equal amount, and if the citizens would loan $30,000 on ten per cent. bearing bonds, secured by the entire property of the road after the $60,00 had been expended upon it. Failing to accomplish his design by this liberal proposition, he offered to advance $20,000 if the other par- ties would conjointly advance $40,000. His last proposition was accepted, this being the *pring of 1875, He had succeeded Preston & McKennon in the lease of the sawmill, and his attention was demanded by his awn private in- terests, bnt, at a personal sacrifice, he consented to take charge of the affairs of the company and he promptly inaugurated work in the construc- tion of the road. The $30,000 of bonds were never all sold, although Mr. Colman purchased some of them himself. Of the $40,000 snb- scribed only 82,500 balance was ever paid in.

The rest of the money for the completion of the road to Renton, distant thirteen miles, was raised by Mr. Colman on personal security, and at that time he was not a wealthy man. All he had was the earnings of the leased mills and the savings of a few years, but he was possessed of a large credit through his straightforward, honest methods of transacting his business. In his ef- forts to secure a dollar's worth of work for every

dollar paid out, he became time-keeper, book- keeper, superintendent of construction and mas- ter mechanic; and every item of expenditure was as carefully inspected as in the most economi- cally conducted private business. Duly arriv- ing at Renton, Mr. Colman naturally expected business from the Renton coal mines, but as the proprietors of the mines had secured control of the New Castle mines, which were more cheaply worked, and had shut down at the Renton mines it then became necessary to continue the rail- road seven miles farther. This extension was made by Mr. Colman, who used his own means and private credit exclusively for that purpose. Both of these means of financial recourse he necessarily strained to the utmost, but with the completion of the road, it immediately became a most valuable property and was the means of insuring the constant working of the New Cast.e mines, the reopening of the Renton mines and for a time the operating of the mine at Talbot. For two and one-half years Mr. Col- man remained in charge of the railroad, work- ing from twelve to twenty hours per day, tilling positions, where, under subsequent management five and six men were employed. In 1879 the railroad and coal mine were sold to Mr. Villard, and upon the reorganization the name of the corporation became the Columbia and Puget Sound Railroad Company. Mr. Colman was re- tained as superintendent for two and one half years, when he was compelled by failing health to retire. This enterprise was the first great factor in developing the resources of the country and was signally potent in the upbuilding of Seattle.

After his retirement Mr. Colman sought rest and recreation by travel in Europe; returning in 1884 he purchased some coal property on the line of the Columbia and Puget Sound Railroad, and with John Collins of Seattle, and other capitalists of San Francisco, organized the Cedar River Coal Company, which opened and is suc- cessfully operating the mine. It is a noticeable fact that since Mr. Colman settled in Seattle, every dollar he has made has been invested in business enterprises which operated directly for the public good, such as sawmills, foundries, machine shops, sailing vessels, steainhoats. coal mines, railroads, wharves, coal bunkers, and brick buildings of the most substantial char- acter. Among his early purchases of real-estate was the corner lot on Commercial and Yesler avennes, and thereupon he erected the first

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brick building ever built in Seattle for rent. This building was destroyed by fire in 1889, but has been replaced by a large stone block, among the handsomest structures in the city. His other noticeably large building covers the entire block between Columbia and Marion streets, and from Front street to Railroad avenue. This building, six stories high, was planned before the fire, and the corner stone was laid while the block was covered with frame buildings; these were removed by the fire of June, 1889, and the process of constructing his new building then went rapidly forward; but foreseeing the prob- able objection to high office blocks, he raised his structure but three stories above the street, leav- ing the completion of the remaining three sto- ries until there should be a manifest demand for sneh accommodations. The wisdom of his de- cision to stop them has been signally manifest judging from the many vacant offices in the higher buildings. The action of the teredo upon piling along the water front induced Mr. Colman to establish a plant for the treating of piles to a creasote process, whereby the life of the pile was increased from a few months to an unknown number of years.

This brief sketch would be incomplete with- out some slight reference to Mr. Colman's do- mestie life. He has living two sons, L. J. and G. A. Colman; both rare specimens of Christian gentlemen. Yachting is the favorite pastime of their summer outings, and under their father's - tuition both have become expert mechanical en- gineers. With them pleasure is not arnling pas- sion, but both have been reared to business habits, and are now the representatives of their father in his many business enterprises, worthy seions of one who is the embodiment of integrity and Christian virtues, and whose name will be engraved with honor npon the historic pages of Seattle.

F RANCIS PIERCE HOGAN, one of the leading citizens of Spokane, was born in Ballingarry, Tipperary county, Ireland, in 1848, a son of Patrick and Mary (Butler) Hogan, also natives of that country. The par- ents came to the United States in 1848, settling near Portage City, Columbia county, Wisconsin, which was then a wilderness. The father im- proved a farm of Indian land, being engaged in

that occupation until 1865. In that year, and in company with his son, our subject, he en- listed in Company K, Forty-ninth Wisconsin Infantry, under A. J. Cheney, and served prin- cipally in Missouri. Francis was then under seventeen years of age, and was detailed as Despatch Orderly on the staff of General Bever- idge. They were discharged at St. Louis, in November, 1865, and both then resumed farming. In the spring of 1866 they removed to Pope county, Minnesota, where each took up Government land, under soldiers' right. The father has now one of the finest farms in that county, and both he and his wife still reside near Villard.

Franeis P. Hogan, the eldest of twelve chil- dren, was successfully engaged in farming and trading on this place until 1873, and in that year came to the Pacific coast. IIe first settled at Roseburg, Oregon, where he began the study of law in the office of Watson, Lane & Willis. Shortly afterward he was appointed Prosecuting Attorney of Douglas county, served in that position until elected Sheriff of the same connty, and declined the third nomination of that office to engage in business. Mr. Ilogan afterward held the office of Mayor of Roseburg one term, followed merchandising several years, in 1880 was elected a delegate to the Democratie Con- vention at Cincinnati, and in 1884 was a dele- gate to the National Convention at Chicago, where he was an ardent supporter of Cleveland. In 1887, on account of the ill health of his family, he came to Spokane, and immediately made investments in property. He owns a briek plant and engages in the manufacture of all kinds of brick, including pressed and ornamental. lle now owns the logan building on Monroe street, a bloek on Monroe, from Sprague to First street, a beautiful summer residence at Spring Valley Park, including seventy acres of land, 160 aeres in Spokane, and other valuable property. In 1892 Mr. Hogan was appointed a delegate to the Democratic Convention at Chi- cago, where he again supported Cleveland.

In 1876 he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Flood, a native of Indiana, a daughter of J. C. Flood, the pioneer merchant of Roseburg, Oregon, and a grandaughter of General Joe Lane. To this union has been born five dangh- ters: Mabel, Bertha, Mildred, Vinnie and Cecilia. The four eldest are attending the Sisters' School. Mr. Hogan is an intelligent and enterprising gentleman, and by his zeal and

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.

energy has done much toward building up this city. Social in disposition, and generous in character, he is one of the most successful busi- ness men in Spokane. Religiously, the family are members of the Catholic Church.

A LBERT P. WOLVERTON, a real-estate dealer of Spokane, was born in Oregon, in 1855. lle received his preparatory school- ing in the public schools of his native State, and then took a scientific course in the Mon- month or Christian College, graduating in 1877. The following four years was spent in farming, and he then caine to Spokane, Wash- ington, where he engaged with his brother in the hardware business, opening the second store of its kind in the city. Three years later the firm dissolved partnership, and Mr. Wolverton was then engaged in the agricultural trade one year; in 1885, with T. F. Coulan, organized the Spokane Hardware Company; in 1888, on ac- connt of ill health, severed bis connection with that company, and since that time has followed the real-estate business. He owns a half inter- est in the Temple Court Block, and is the owner of a new business block on Main street, and an extensive farm near Spokane.

Mr. Wolverton was married in 1888, to Miss Lulu Miller, a native of New York. To this union have been born two children, one, Van Al- bert, is still living. Our subject is one of the most enterprising business men in this city.

H ARRY F. BAER, a prominent business man of Spokane, was born in Chicago, Illinois, October 11, 1854, a son of Adam and Adelina (Spangnable) Baer, the former a native of Hesse Darmstadt, and the latter of Hanover, Germany. The father was a merchant by occupation. In 1842 the parents came to the United States, locating in Chicago, Illinois.

Harry F., the subject of this sketch, received his education in the public schools of his native city. After leaving school he was engaged in the cattle business in Cheyenne, Wyoming, un- til 1881, and in that year removed to Oregon. He next followed mining in Alaska, then rail- roading in Washington; next was associated

with Mr. Goetz in merchandising at Heron Sid- ing, Montana, one year; then located at Wallula Junction, Washington; and later opened hotels at Thompson Falls, Montana, Murray, Idaho, and in the mining district of Coeur d' Alene. In 1887 he came with Mr. Goetz to Spokane, Washington.

In 1883 Mr. Baer went to the Coeur d' Alene, where he was engaged in mining until 1889, and in that year came to Spokane and bought property at a cost of $33,000, and erected a fine building at a cost of $230,000. This building was de- stroyed during the great fire of August, 1889. The next day Mr. Baer resumed business in the largest tent in the world, the canvas and equip- ments having cost $20,000, and soon afterward, in June, 1890, he erected his present fine block, at a cost of $95,000, the same being one of the most substantial and beautiful in architecture of all similar buildings in the State. In addition to his other business interests, our subject also owns considerable property in and around Spo- kane.

Mr. Baer was married in 1892, to Miss Sadie Scott Smith, a native of Kentucky. Socially, he is a member of the Odd Fellow's Lodge, No. 17, of the Knights of Pythias, No. 40, and politi- cally affiliates with the Democratic party.

E P. GILLETTE, proprietor of the Hotel Gillette, of Spokane, was born in Cort- land, New York, in 1860, a son of A. S. and Harriet E. (Osborn) Gillette, the former a native of New York, and the latter of Connecti- cut. The father was a manufacturer and miner by occupation.

E. P. Gillette, the youngest of six children, was educated in the public schools of New York, and in 1683 began a classical course in the Oberlin College, Ohio, but did not finish. For the following six years he was employed by the Pullman Sleeping Car Company, at New York city, and was then engaged in commercial busi- ness one year. In 1887 Mr. Gillette came to Spokane, where he was proprietor of the Pacific Coast Tea Company, and also conducted a large restaurant. The great fire of 1889 destroyed everything he possessed, but with his custom- ary energy he began to rebuild before the fire was fully under control. Three times his floor which was laid on the ground, caught fire from

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the heat under it, but he persevered, and two days afterward his restaurant was open in a tent. In 1890 he opened the Columbia Hotel, now one of the largest in the city. Mr. Gillette was a member of the old volunteer fire department of Spokane, and organized the present paid depart- ment, of which he was the first Chief. In ad- dition to his other business interests, he is also largely interested in mining property, and in the future will no doubt realize largely from such investments. He has served as a delegate to two State and County conventions, and occupies a high degree in the orders of Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias. Has been a student all his life, is well posted on the affairs of the day, and is one of the most progressive men in Spo- kane. In January, 1893, he moved into the three-story brick building called the Hotel Gillette. It extends from Riverside street through to Spragne avenne, front on Riverside street. It is modern in every respect and lo- cated in the most prominent part of the city.

G ENERAL T. J. McKENNY, a resident of Olympia, was born in Gallatin county, Illinois, in 1830. His father, Samuel Sherwood McKenny, was born in Quebec, Canada. Coming to the United States, he was married to Miss Constance Decker, of Catskill, New York. He then started westward, when he engaged in trading upon the Mississippi river.

T. J. McKenney was educated at Loenst Hill Episcopal College, Franklin county, Illinois, under the direction of Prof. Benager Guernsey Root. In 1847 he left college to enlist for the Mexican war and was mustered in at Allen, Illinois, as a member of the First Regiment Ilinois Volunteer Infantry, commanded by Colonel E. W. B. Newby. His first soldiering was in carrying knapsack and blankets in march- ing order across the plains to Santa Fe, a dis- tance of 1,800 miles. The service of the com- pany was through the Navajo Indian country and along the border of Mexico. After about eighteen months of service they were returned to Illinois and mustered ont. Young McKenny then went to Keokuk, Iowa, and was employed as clerk in a retail drug store, subsequently en- gaging in the same line of business. With his love for military affairs, he raised the "Union

Gnards" of the State Militia and served in the capacity of First Lieutenant, receiving his eoni- mission from Governor James W. Grimes.

Upon the breaking out of the war in 1861, he was actively interested in raising Company A, of Second Iowa Infantry and, upon the organi- zation of the company, was elected First Lieu- tenant, Colonel Sam R. Curtis in command. This was the first regiment to leave the State under orders of General Nathaniel Lyon. The regiment was assigned to duty along the Han- nibal & St. Joseph Railroad, where it was engaged in many skirmishes. It was then ordered with General Fremont's grand flotilla to Bird's Point, opposite Cairo, where the regiment be- came decimated by disease and was ordered to St Louis to recruit. General Curtis was then in command of the Department of Missouri, with headquarters at Benton Barracks, and he de- tailed Lieutenant McKenny to special service as Post-Adjutant and Adjutant-General. At this time there was some suspicion of the loyal- ty of General Fremont, and orders of removal signed by General Scott and President Lincoln were forwarded to General Curtis by special messenger, Leonard Swett. These orders were to be conveyed to General Fremont. General Curtis selected Captain MeKenny for this most responsible and dangerous service. Disguised in a planter's suit of clothes, and given neces- sary papers and passes, he started in the dead of night, upon his most dangerous mission. Duly arriving at General Fremont's headquar- ters, Captain MeKenny had great difficulty in reaching his presence, but at last did so and de- livered into the general's hands the messages, which created great consternation. The cap- tain also had dispatches to General Hunter, who was to succeed Fremont. The delivery of the same was accomplished midst increasing dan- gers, the captain traveling on horseback by night through a country infested by the enemy. He then returned to St. Louis to find General William K. Strong in command of Benton Barraeks and General Curtis ordered to com- mand of Army of the Southwest, with headquar- tersat Rolla. Captain MeKenny was assigned by war department as Adjutant-General and Aide to General Strong, and subsequently became Post-Adjutant and Adjutant-General to Gen- eral Sherman, who was placed in command. After a few months Captain MeKenny asked to be relieved and returned to his regiment, but before request was received he was ordered to

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.

report to General Curtis and became Adjutant- General upon his staff. Shortly after, General Curtis took the field in pursuit of Price's army, (then in the vieinity of Springfield), overtaking the rear guard at Sugar creek. The battle was hotly contested, and the First Missourl Cavalry abandoned by its colonel. Captain MeKenny assumed temporary command and performed gallant service. He received wounds in hip and head and now carries a ball in the head and one in the hip. In recognition of his ability and bravery the officers of the First Missouri Cavalry addressed a petition to the Governor of the State asking that Captain MeKenny be com- missioned Colonel of the regiment, which through personal preferences was declined. He was, however, commissioned additional Aide- (le-Camp on the staff of Major-General Halleck, with rank of Major. During the battle of l'ea Ridge, March 7, 1863, he passed forty-eight hours in the saddle as Aide to General Curtis. The victory being won, upon the 10th the Major started for VanBuren, Arkansas, with the prisoners of war, to make an exchange with General Price, which being accomplished he re- turned to headquarters. Ile continued on the staff of General Curtis until General Price was driven from Missouri. He was then assigned to the Department of the Northwest with Gen- eral Curtis, and later to the staff of General Pope as Assistant Inspector General, in which position he remained to the close of the war. For meritorious conduct, bravery and special service he was brevetted a number of times, first as Lieutenant-Colonel, then Colonel, and later Brigadier-General. The General was a brave, fearless soldier, never shrinking from the path of duty, howsoever great the dangers and diffi- enlties.

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An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 53

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