An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 63

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 63

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.

Dr. Byrne was married in the city of Mil- waukee, Wisconsin, in October, 1876, to Miss Henrietta P. Colt, a connection of the Colt family made noted throughout the world as inventors and manufacturers of fire-arms.

D R. S. M. WHITE, one of the leading physicians of Walla Walla, was born in Ilamilton county, Indiana, September 27, 1842, a son of Joseph and Mary (Moffitt) White, the former a native of Philadelphia. Pennsyl- vania, and the latter of North Carolina. The father, a farmer by occupation, died February 5, 1875, at the age of sixty-one years. The mother still resides in Indianapolis, Indiana, aged seventy-two years.

Dr. S. M. White, the eldest of two children, was reared to farm life, attended the common schools of his native county, and also gradu- ated at the Poplar Ridge Academy of Indiana. After completing his education the war broke out, and April 25, 1864, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Regiment of Indiana Volunteers. Ile participated in much hard service in the South, his regiment having been on detached duty, and was sent from point to point. He was honorably discharged Novem- ber 2, 1864, after which he followed farming in his native State until 1868. In that year Mr. White began the study of medicine under the preceptorship of Drs. Daniel and Zenas Carry; attended the medical school of Indian- apolis, Indiana; received his diploma February 24, 1878; was engaged as one of the faculty of that institution seven years, and then received his second diploma, dated Mareh 7, 1884. He was then engaged in the practice of medicine in Kokomo, Indiana, until 1881, and then went to Indianapolis, where he remained until failing health compelled him to seek a new home. Since that time Dr. White has followed his profession in Walla Walla, Washington, and has regained his health.

The Doctor was married, Jannary 19, 1865, to Miss Ruth Ilerand, but after a few years of happy conjugal life, death claimed the loving wife and mother, her demise occurring April 28, 1873. She left three children, but only two daughters now survive: Alma and Ida, who reside with their grandmother in Indian- apolis. The eldest is one of the leading mu-

sicians of that city, making the violin a spe- cialty, and being one of the faculty of the musical department of Butler University, Indiana. She is said to be the finest violinist of Indianapolis. Dr. White was again married, November 10, 1875, when he wedded Miss Carrie E. Sullivan, a native of Ohio. She de- parted this life April 4, 1880, leaving one daughter, Lora, aged fifteen years, who is now attending school in Indiana. Politically, the Doctor is identified with the Republican party, and socially is a member of the Odd Fellows and Masonic fraternities, still holding his mem- bership in the latter at Kokomo, Indiana. Ile has been twice elected as Post Commander of A. Lincoln Post, No. 4, of Walla Walla, and was elected Medical Examiner of his depart- ment in 1891.

H ON. JUDGE WILLIAM H. UPTON, one of Washington's rising and highly accomplished young men, was born in Weaverville, California, June 19, 1854, a son of William and Maria A. (Ilollister) Up- ton, natives of New York, where they were also married. The father was admitted to the prac- tice of law in his native State; afterward fol- lowed his profession and held several prominent positions in Michigan until 1852, when he erossed the plains to California. In 1865 he went to Portland, Oregon, and in 1867 was elected Chief Justice of that State, holding that position until 1874. In 1877 he was appointed Comptroller of the United States Treasury un- der President Hayes. Mr. Upton then moved his family to Washington, District of Columbia, where he still engaged in the practice of law. His wife died in 1859, at the age of forty years, leaving a large family of children to the father's care.

W. H. Upton, the subject of this sketch, and the sixth of eleven children, received his early education in the schools of Portland, Oregon, and afterward entered Yale College, graduating there in 1877, at the age of twenty-three years. He then spent three years in the Navy Depart- ment at Washington city, and afterward gradu- ated with honor in the Columbian Law School. Having a love for that eoast country, Mr. Upton came to Walla Walla, Washington, in 1880, where he immediately began the practice of his

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profession. In 1887 he was elected a inember of the City Council, the following year became a member of the Territorial Legislature, and in 1889 was elected Superior Judge of Walla Walla and Franklin counties. Ile filled the lat- ter position so acceptably that lie received the unanimous nomination of his party for re-elec- tion, and was elected his own successor in Na- vember, 1892.

Judge Upton was married June 23, 1881, to Miss Georgia L. Bradley, a highly esteemed lady of Washington, District of Columbia. To this union have been born two bright boys,-Will- iam Hollister and George Bradley. The Judge is an ardent Republican, and is Master of Blue Mountain Lodge, No. 13, F. & A. M., of Walla Walla.

J UDGE A. P. CURRY .- No man is better known in Spokane than the subject of this sketch, Jndge Curry, of the Municipal Court. Under his jurisdiction the city has as- assumed a quiet, respectable air of which the people are proud.

Ile was born in Bangor, Maine, son of Rich- ard W. and Nancy W. (Hatch) Curry, natives of Nova Scotia and Bangor, Maine, respectively. He received his education in his native city, and after leaving school engaged in business with his father, who was a merchant and who had moved to Chelsea, Massachusetts. In 1854 he emigrated to Dixon, Illinois, where he was City Marshal two years. He formed one of a party who erossed the plains to Pike's Peak during the gold excitement of 1860, and returned to Illinois about two months previous to the out- break of the Civil war. When President Lincoln ealled for volunteers he was among the first to enlist in the service of his country. He entered as a private in Company A, Thir- teenth Illinois Infantry, and in 1862 was pro- moted to the position of Lieutenant of Bowen's cavalry. Early in 1862 he was made Captain, serving as such for three years, when he was mustered out at St. Louis. He then went to Memphis and was appointed Colonel of the First West Tennessee Infantry, which he commanded until the close of the war. Ile then entered into mercantile business in Memphis, and in 1867 was elected County Sheriff, to which po- sition he was twice re-elected.

In 1878 Mr. Curry located in Leadville, and during the years 1880 and 1881, was Marshal

of that place. In 1883 he moved to the Coeur d' Alene country, Idaho, where he engaged in mining pursuits, being one of the first to arrive there. He soon afterward took up his abode in Spokane, where he continued his mining inter- ests. In 1889 he was elected Brigadier-General of the Territory of Washington. For one year General Curry was Senior Vice-Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, for two years Post Commander, and for the year 1890 was Department Commander of Washington and Alaska. He is a Knight of Pythias and of the Order of Elks. The following is the General's staff: C. F. Lake, Lieutenant-Colonel and As- sistant Adjutant General; J. Hamilton Lewis, Lieutenant-Colonel and Assistant Inspector Gen- eral; J. A. Hntfield, Assistant Quartermaster General; V. K. Snell, Lieutenant-Colonel and Assistant Commissary General; Benj. R. Free- man, Lieutenant-Colonel and Brigade Surgeon; E. P. Gillette, First Lieutenant and Aid-de- camp; Wm. H. Chapman, First Lientent and Aid-de-eamp; and Cromwell, First Lieutenant and Aid-de camp.

Judge Curry was admitted to the bar in 1891, and was appointed Judge of the Municipal Conrt by Acting Governor Charles E. Laugh- ton. Not long ago he was elected president of the Mining Exchange.

Personally, he is a genial, whole-souled gen- tleman, whose friends are to be found among all elasses of people. In appearance, he has the bearing of a soldier, and is justly prond of his record as such. The headquarters of the Na- tional Guards of Washington are rooms 10 and 11, Falls City Bloek, Spokane.

E RNEST EGGERT, proprietor of Twick- enham Park, Spokane, Washington, was born in Hanover, Germany, in the year 1861. His parents, C. II. and Mary (Weber) Eggert, natives of Germany, immigrated to America in 1869 and located in New York city. His father was a school teacher by pro- fession. The family lived in New York and afterward in Brooklyn, and in the public schools of those eities Ernest received his education, graduating in 1876. He learned cigar-making and remained in New York, engaged in that business until 1889.

Believing the opportunities for enterprising young men were better in the great West than

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in the overerowded cities of the East, he came to Washington; and, through the influence of Major Hobbs and others, was induced to locate in Spokane. Upon his arrival here he immedi- ately identified himself with the interests of the growing city and the State in general. First, he engaged in the wholesale liquor business. He established Twickenham Park in the suburbs of Spokane, fitting it up as a place of amusement and resort for the public. It comprises about forty-two acres. At the time Mr. Eggert took possession it was a wilderness, but under bis well-directed efforts it has been transformed into an ideal resort. The grounds are rich in natural treasures, they having been until re- cently a private camping place for the Indians, who have left behind traces which Mr. Eggert very judiciously has left in their natural state. These relics possess a charm for the visitors who daily throng the grounds. Mr. Eggert has placed here a large number of animals, is con- stantly adding to the collection, and it is only a question of time before he will be the owner of one of the finest menageries of the Northwest. Much money has been expended in beautifying the grounds, and, altogether, this park is one of the pleasantest places in Spokane in which to spend an idle hour.

Personally, Mr. Eggert is a man of kind dis- position and pleasing address. He is one of Spokane's most enterprising young men.

P HILIP VANDERBILT CAESAR, pres- ident of the Metropolitan Savings Bank of Tacoma, Washington, and one of the leading financiers in the Northwest, is a native of Franklin, New Jersey, born June 21, 1866. His ancestors on both sides were num- bered among the oldest and most prominent in the United States, having figured conspicuously in eivil and military lists.

The early life of Mr. Cæsar was passed in his native city, and his preliminary education re- ceived in the local common schools. In 1884, at the age of eighteen, he entered Columbia College, and graduated at the School of Arts in the class ot 1888. For a time thereafter, he filled a clerical position in the general offices of the New York Central & Hudson River Rail- road. Later he held a elerkship in a large wholesale establishment in New York city,

which he resigned to accept the post of cashier for W. S. Nichols & Company, at No. 33 Wall street, which position he held two years. At the end of that time, in 1890, he came to Ta- coma, representing heavy financial interests, to become connected with the Tacoma Building Association and Savings Bank. He first acted as cashier in that institution, and in 1892 was elected its president. In 1893, this bank was re-organized on a broader and more comprehen- sive basis, under its present title, and he has ever since continued to be its president, his known ability and business integrity contribut - ing in no small measure to its prosperity, by in- suring the confidence of the people and inci- dentally a large patronage.

As financier, official and citizen, Mr. Cæsar is conspicuous for honor, ability, energy and prog- ress, and justly enjoys a high position in the regard of his community.

In April, 1890, Mr. Cæsar was married to Miss Fanny L. Little, daughter of Judge John W. Little, of New York city, and they have one SOI.

C HARLES PROSCH, Seattle, Washing- ton, was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, June 25, 1820.

IIis parents, William and Christiana (Dotter) Prosch, were natives of Germany, but were reared and educated in the United States. In 1821 they removed to New York city, where Mr. Proseh engaged in street contracting, which he continued in that city and Brooklyn for many years, ultimately removing to Newark, New Jersey, where he and his wife both died, each at about the age of eighty-five years.

Charles Prosch was educated in the public schools of New York city. In 1836 he became an apprentice in the Daily Express office, in Wall street, and there remained for a period of seventeen years. In 1853 he eame West to San Francisco, under engagement on the Alta Cali- fornian, of which paper he subsequently became part proprietor. Having sold his interest therein, in the winter of 1857-'58 he came to Washington Territory, and started the l'uget Sound Herald in March, 1858, in Steilacoom. Fort Nisqually, near that town, being head- quarters of the Hudson's Bay traders of the Northwest, was in frequent communication by water with Victoria and other British Columbia

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trading stations. By one of the sailing vessels thus employed, Mr. Prosch learned of the dis- covery of gold on Fraser river, and his paper was the medium for spreading broadeast along the Pacific coast the news which ereated one of the wildest mining exeitements of the North- west. Thousands flocked to Whateom to seek ingress to the promised country by the moun- tain trail. Finding it inaccessible, they dis- persed to Victoria and other points to make the journey by water. Though the "diggings" were rich, the people ontnumbered the pros- peets. This rush of gold hunters, however, was instrumental in developing the Cariboo mines and the mines of Montana and Idaho.

The town of Steileoom and the Herald having declined to a condition that no longer afforded support, in 1868 Mr. Prosch removed to Olym- pia to perform the Territorial printing, under the auspices of E. L. Sinith, Secretary of the Territory. To comply with the requirements, Mr. Proseh purchased the Pacific Tribune, which he thereafter continued to publish, and during the session of Legislature of 1869 he published the first daily ever printed in the Territory. Subsequently returning to the weekly edition, he continued it until 1872, when he turned it over to his son, Thomas W., who ran the paper there nntil 1873. Then, removing the plant to Tacoma, they published a weekly and daily till July, 1875, when they moved to Seattle and continued the publication until the plant and business were sold. Thomas W. then purchased an interest in the Intelligencer, sub- sequently became sole proprietor, and continued the publication until 1887, when he sold out and retired from business.

After selling his paper in Olympia, Charles Prosch, who was one of the members of St. John's Protestant Episcopal Church, during the absence of the clergyman became lay reader and discharged the duties of that office for twelve months. Then, removing with his son to Ta- eoma, he was called upon to perform at St. Peter's Chapel the same service, which he con- tinued abont eighteen months, and, when leav- ing, was presented with a handsome watch and chain, the watch being appropriately inseribed as coming from a grateful people. Mr. Prosch also worked upon the Tribune, and in 1875 re- moved with his son to Seattle, continuing his connection with the Tribune and Intelligeneer until his son finally sold ont and retired. Sinee then, Mr. Proseh has been engaged in writing

reminiscenees of pioneer days and early inter- ests connected with press matters.

He was married in Dey street, New York eity, January 16, 1846, to Miss Susan Conklin, a native of New York State. They have had five children, only two of whom are living: Fred- erick and Thomas W.

H ON. EUGENE SEMPLE, ex-Governor of Washington, was born at Bogota, New Grenada, South America, June 12, 1840, a son of James and Mary S. (Mizner) Semple, of Illinois. The father served as At- torney General, Speaker of the House of Repre- sentatives, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Senator in Congress and Colonel in the Black Hawk war in his adopted State. But at the time of his son's birth he was United States Minister to New Grenada. He served two terms iu that position, first under Van Buren, and then under Tyler.

The Semple family have long been promi- nently connected with the affairs of the Pacific coast. James Semple, father of our subject, made speeches in the Mississippi Valley, as early as 1842, in favor of the elaim of the Unit- ed States to the line of 54° 40' north latitude. January 8, 1844, he introduced into the United States Senate a resolution requesting the Presi- dent to give notice to his Britannie Majesty of the desire of the Government of the United States to abrogate the treaty of joint veeupancy of the Oregon country. His brother, Robert Semple, was editor of the first American news- paper printed in California; was president of the Constitutional Convention of that State; and founded the city of Benieia. A half brother of our subjeet, Hon. Lansing B. Mizner, was a California pioneer of 1849, held many official positions, including that of Collector of the Port of San Francisco; President of State Senate, and Presidential Elector and Minister to Central America. A consin of the subject of this sketch, Will Semple Green, was one of the founders of the city of Colusa, California, and for thirty-five years has been editor of the Co- Insa Sun, in which capacity he has yielded a potent influence in public affairs. Another uncle, Colonel Charles Donald Semple, of Colusa, was one of the most prominent members of the California bar.

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Eugene Semple, the youngest child and only son, was five years of age when his parents re- turned to Illinois, and the succeeding years were passed in Madison and Jersey counties, attend- ing the country sehools in winter, and working at farm labor in the summer. At the age of sixteen years he entered the St. Louis Univer- sity, and subsequently engaged in the study of law with Krum & Harding, in St. Louis, and later graduated at the Law Department of the Cincinnati College, taking the degree of LL. B. After receiving his diploma, Mr. Semple carried out his long cherished intention of loeating in Oregon, and, via New York, Panama and San Francisco, arrived in the fall of 1863. From that time until 1869, he was engaged in the practice of his profession in Portland, with the exception of two summers spent in the mines of Idaho and Washington. In the last named year Mr. Semple embarked in newspaper work, first as reporter, and later as editor of the Daily Oregon Herald, then the leading organ of the Democratic party in the Northwest. The motto of this paper was: " In all discussions of Ameri- ean policy, with us liberty goes first." It was a strennons opponent of Chinese immigration, and an advocate of railroads, claiming, however, that they should be the servants of the people, and not the masters of the people. The result of the Democratic victory of 1870 in Oregon made Mr. Semple State Printer, which position he held until 1874. He then leased a farm in Lane county, afterward purchased land in Co- lumbia county, and followed the occupation of his youth until 1883. Iu that year he engaged in the manufacture of cedar shingles, being the pioneer in that business in the Northwest, and the following year erected the Lucia Mills at Vancouver, Washington, also becoming a resi- dent of that place. He was appointed Governor of Washington Territory by President Cleveland, and was the candidate of the Democratic party for the same office at the first State election, run- ning nearly 600 votes ahead of his ticket. In Ore- gon Mr. Semple held the office of Police Con- missioner of Portland, of State Printer, Clerk of the Circuit Court in Columbia county, and was appointed Brigadier General of the National Gnard by Governor Grover.

While a member of the Vancouver Board of Trade, our subject was the prime mover in form- ing the Columbia Water Way Association, de- signed to secure the opening of the Columbia river to free navigation, a project which he be-

gan to agitate in 1869, and has since continued to work for at every opportune moment. At the second session of the association he read a carefully prepared paper on river improvements, in which he outlined a comprehensive scheme for economically navigating the Columbia river and its tributaries, and for the construction of a ship transit across the Isthmus of Tehuantepec. In 1889 Mr. Semple returned to Seattle, where he now resides, engaged in the active practice of law, and also as a member of the Board of Ilarbor Line Commissioners. While a member of the Harbor Line Commission, Mr. Semple had charge of the harbors of Seattle, Ballard, Sidney, Blaine, Shelton and Vancouver, and prepared a plan for the permanent improvement of the harbor at the latter place.

He was married in 1870, to Ruth A. Lowns- dale, of Portland, and they have three daughters and one son. Mr. Semple has been a widower since 1883, and is now devoting his time to the care and education of his children.

H ON. I. J. LICHTENBERG, Judge of the Superior Court, Equity Department, of King county, Washington, was born in New York city, June 5, 1845.

His parents, Jacob and Caroline Lichtenberg, were of German and English deseent respect- ively. Jacob Lichtenberg was a manufacturing jeweler of New York city. From there he moved to Callao, l'ern, and later to Valparaiso, Chili, where be passed the closing years of his life.

I. J. Lichtenberg was the first born in a fam- ily of four children, three of whom survive. He attended public school and college in his native eity until he was seventeen, when he dropped his studies and joined the ranks of the Union army. He enlisted in 1862 in the Fifth New York Cavalry, and served in the cavalry corps of the Army of the Potomac. He was wounded in the battle of the Wilderness in May, 1864, and, being untitted for further service, was dis- charged in the fall of that year. Until January, 1889, he carried the ball in his leg, suffering almost continuously, and as a last resort had his leg amputated.

After the war he followed a mercantile life in New York city for some time. From there he removed to Pottsville, Pennsylvania, where

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he began reading law under the preceptorship of Hon. O. P. Bechtel, a lawyer of considerable prominence and now one of the judges of com- mon pleas in Sehuykill county. Mr. Litchen- berg was admitted to the bar in 1874, and at once engaged in practice at Pottsville, where he remained until 1887. Then he came to Seattle, continuing his professional career here. His ability as a lawyer at once advanced him to the front rank in his profession, and, with the ad- mission of Washington to Statehood in 1889, he was honored by being elected the first Supe- rior Judge of King county, and this, too, on the Democratic ticket, when the Republican mna- jority was about 1,200. Up to March, 1890, he was the only Superior Judge in the county. Then the business of the court had reached such vast proportions that the Legislature ap- pointed two additional judges, and Judge Licht- enberg was assigned to the Court of Equity. His mode of conducting court being one of much dignity, rapidity and justice, his service was highly appreciated and he was the unani- mous choice of his party for nomination in con- vention assembled in the fall of 1892. Among the profession he is highly honored and respected for his firm, decisive, yet impartial rulings. Quick in discerning points of law and equity, and rendering his verdicts according to the facts, without fear or favor, he is considered one of the ablest jurists upon the Superior Bench of the State.

Judge Lichtenberg was married in Pottsville. Pennsylvania, to Miss Emma Barr, a native of that State. One child, Benjamin, has been born to them.

The Judge has been an active supporter of the G. A. R. since the earliest organization of that body. He was formerly a member of Gowen Post, No. 23, of Pottsville, and now be- longs to Stevens Post, No. 1, of Seattle.

J UDGE RALPH OREGON DUNBAR, of Goldendale, Washington, Chief Justice of the State of Washington, was born in Schuyler county, Illinois, April 26, 1845. His parents, Rice and Jane (Brisbin) Dunbar, were natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania respectively, but were married in Illinois, where both were reared from childhood.

Rice Dunbar was a carpenter by trade and followed that occupation in Illinois until 1846. That year he purchased a prairie outfit, and with ox teams brought his family across the plains and mountains to the Willamette valley, Ore- gon. He located a donation claim in the Waldo hills, Marion county, and there engaged in farming, continuing his trade, as opportun- ity afforded, up to 1863. Then he moved his family to Salem, where he passed the closing years of his life.

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An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 63

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