An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 69

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 69

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Dr. Elmer was educated at Kingston. At the age of eighteen he began the study of medi- cine in the office of Dr. Dorland at Belleville, remaining with him two years. Then he entered Queen's College, Kingston, graduated at that institution in 1858, and at once began the prac- tice of his profession at Madoc. There he con- ducted a successful practice sixteen years. He next spent a year at Chicago and then located at Bay City, Michigan, where he resided fifteen years and had a large and lucrative practice. In 1889 he came to Spokane. Previous to this time he had frequently visited the Pacific coast during his vacations, and had often been at Spokane, and in his contributions to news- papers at various times he prophesied that Spokane would become a large city. Imme- diately upon his location here, Dr. Elmer identified himself with the interests of the place and soon grew into a large practice. While his practice is general, he makes a specialty of sur- gical cases and diseases of women and children.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.

The Doctor has been in the habit of visiting New York every year or two for the advantages to be gained by a month or so of hospital prac- tice. While in Michigan he was a member of the Michigan State Medical Association and of the Bay County Medical Society.

Dr. Elmer has been twice married. In 1857 he wedded Elizabeth Perault, who died, leaving two sons, - William Charles and Harry Edward. In 1880 he married Kate E. Fuller, a native of New York, and they have one daughter, Kate E. Mrs. Elmer is a member of the Episcopal Church.

The Doctor has invested in a large tract of land on the Columbia river in Walla Walla county, which he is improving and developing for fruit farms, it being in the fruit belt and very valuable.

He is a member of the 1. O. O. F.

J AMES D. LOWMAN, one of the active, enterprising young business men of Seat- tle, Washington, was born in Leitersburg, Maryland, October 5, 1856, and is a son of Dan- iel S. and Caroline (Lytle) Lowinan, natives of the same city, and of German and English de- ecent respectively. He was educated in the common and high schools of Leitersburg, and tanght school for one year.

In 1877 Mr. Lowman came to Seattle, where his uncle, Henry L. Yesler, resided, and secured employment as assistant wharfinger on the Yes- ler wharf, being thus engaged for four years. Hle then purchased a half interest in the book and stationery store of W. H. Pumphrey, and, after the business was conducted under the firm name of Pumphrey & Lowman for two years, he purchased the entire interest and operated it alone up to 1885. That year he organized the Lowman & Hanford Stationery and Printing Company, with a capital stock of $100,000, he continuing as president and principal stock- holder, the business now employing a force of sixty people in the several departments.

In 1886 Mr. Lowman was appointed trustee of all of Henry L. Yesler's property, and as- sumed its entire control and management. This estate, which was vast and extended in its pro- portions, had become encumbered through the extensive business operations of Mr. Yesler pre ceding a depression throughout the Sound conn-

try, and it required a man of keen judgment and business sagacity to bring order out of the ex- isting chaos. Under the energetic and capable management of Mr. Lowman, only a few years were required to restore the property from an almost insolvent condition to be one of the most valuable estates in Seattle, notwithstanding the great loss from the fire of 1889, when the income of the property was suddenly reduced from $60,000 per year to nothing, and only $65,000 of insurance was received. Since that date Mr. Lowman has erected on Pioneer Place, in the very business center of Seattle, three of the finest buildings in the city, aggregating upward of $400,000; and the improvements in other parts of the city will increase that amount by many thousands of dollars. The present indebt- edness of the estate is much less than when he assumed control of the property. With the death of Mrs. Yesler in 1887, Mr. Lowman was also appointed administrator of her estate, a property valuation of about $250,000. He also organized the Yesler Coal, Wood & Lumber Company, built a sawmill on Union Bay, Lake Washington, for the manufacture of lumber and latlı, on the line of the Seattle, Lake Shore & Eastern Railroad, and has platted the town site of Yesler, he continuing as secretary and prin- cipal stockholder in the company. Notwith- standing the demands of these several interests, he is prominently connected with various other enterprises. He is secretary and a large stock- holder in the Union Trunk Line, known as the James Street Railroad System, with a capital stock of $1,000,000; is trustee and stockholder of the Washington National Bank, the Guaranty Loan & Trust Company, the Home Insurance Company, the Denny Ilotel Company, and the Seattle Steam, Heat & Power Company; is president of the Seattle Theatre Company; built the Lowman-Hanford Block, and has been en- gaged in many private enterprises of somewhat lesser proportions.

He is a member of no societies and is not active in politics. The manifold duties which he is called upon to perform require his constant attention and most able efforts, the result of his labors being well known to Seattle's business community. IIis good judgment has been vin- dicated and his integrity of character has become an established fact, so that he possesses the ab- solute confidence of the business men of Seattle. His connection with any enterprise readily com- mends it to public support.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.

Mr. Lowman was married in Seattle, in 1881, to Miss Mary R. Emery, a native of Pennsylva- nia, and has a spacious and handsome home in Seattle on the corner of Eleventh and Marion streets.

Sneh is a brief sketch of one of the enterpris- ing inen of the Northwest.

H ON. TRUSTEN POLK DYER, member of the Seattle bar, was born in Warren county, Missouri, May 27, 1856. His parents, Captain George W. and Mary A. (Philpot) Dyer, were natives of Virginia and of English ancestry, who emigrated at an early day to the Virginia Colony. Captain Dyer was a member of the old State militia of Virginia and emigrated with his family to Missouri in 1840, where he owned slaves, operated a large planta- tion, was a member of the Legislature for a number of years and was one of the foremost citizens of the State. With the breaking out of the rebellion, though a slaveholder, he was loyal to the Union and lost his life in defense of his country.

Young Dyer was thus left the only support of his widowed mother and seven sisters (his only brother having removed to Colorado just after the close of the war), and for a number of years he toiled on the farm in summer and at- tended school during the winter months. At the age of fifteen he entered the Central Wes- leyan College at Warrenton, and completed his studies at the Baptist College at Louisiana, Mis- souri. He began teaching at the age of seven- teen, and at the same time engaged in reading law during the winter evenings, which method he followed for three years and was admitted to the bar in February, 1875. Hle then entered the office of his brother, David P. Dyer, Pro- bate Judge of Warren county, and engaged in practice. He also acted as Clerk of the Probate Court. In 1878 he removed to St. Louis, and for two years held the position of Clerk of the Registry Department of the St. Louis post office, meanwhile during the day attending the St. Louis Law School, where Messrs. II. B. Loomis, George H. Preston and Charles F. Fishback of this city (Seattle) were his classmates. Being now qualified by a severe course of reading, he entered into actual practice, associating himself with his uncle, Colonel D. P. Dyer, of St. Louis,

a man who has a national reputation not only as a military hero in the war of the rebellion but also as a fearless guardian of the people's inter- est as United States District Attorney for Mis- souri, and who showed his high ability in the celebrated " whisky ring" eases under Presi- dent Grant's administration. Trusten P. Dyer was once the unanimous choice of his party for the Legislature. During the years of 1884, '85 and '86, he was City Attorney for St. Louis, and in the fall of 1886 was nominated for Prose- cuting Attorney, but was defeated by a small plurality. He was for three years prominently connected with the National Guard of Missouri, and was a delegate to the convention of the National Guard of the States at Washington, District of Columbia, in the spring of 1887.

Ile was an alternate delegate in the Republi- can National Convention in Chicago in 1888, where he met Hon. Watson C. Squire and other gentlemen of prominence of the then Territory of Washington, and through them learned of the activity and future promise of Seattle, and in July of the same year he removed to this city. Soon after locating here, Mr. Dyer became as- sociated in the practice of law with Judge Riel- ard Osborn, under the firm name of Osborn & Dyer. This partnership continued until the spring of 1890, when, owing to Judge Osborn's increased duties in the probate office, which took him from the general practice, the partnership was dissolved and the firm of Dyer & Craven was organized, and this continued until the spring of 1892. Since then Mr. Dyer has prac- tieed alone.

He has always been an ardent Republican, even when living in a State where it tried men's nerves to advance Republican ideas. He aided in organizing the " Harrison Legion" in Seattle in 1888, and was the first president of that body, taking an active interest in the campaign. He aided materially in redeeming King county from Democratie rule. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention which assembled at Olympia July 4, 1889, to frame the present constitution of Washington. He served on sev- eral of the most important committees and was frequently called upon to preside during the absence of the president of the convention. Mr. Dyer was also elected a member of the State Senate of Washington from the city of Seattle in November, 1890, for a term of four years. He served during the sessions of 1891 and 1893, and was president pro tem. of the last Senate.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.

He was chairman and member of several of the most important committees. Through his la- bors and efforts many good laws are now on the statute books of Washington.

Mr. Dyer was married in Seattle, June 18, 1889, to Miss Mary A. Pontius, a native of the city, and daughter of Rezin W. and Margaret J. (Brinley) Pontins, pioneers of the State. Mr. Dyer is prominent in Masonry; has received the Thirty-second degree of the Scottish rite, is Eminent Commander of the Seattle Comman- dery, K. T., and is a member of the Mystic Shrine; he has held many important positions in the fraternity.

He owns valuable real estate about the city, which he has developed and improved, and he is largely interested in the Dyer & Freed Manu- facturing Company, wholesale and retail dealers in sash, doors and builders' supplies. " Dyer avenne," one of the most beautiful residence streets of Seattle, was named from him).

Thus briefly have we ontlined the trials and triumphs of one of Seattle's self-made men, who was quick to foresec events, grasp opportunities, and by personal and persistent effort and enter- prise has steadily ascended the scale and attained his present position of honor and distinction among men.

H ERBERT E. LINDSLEY .- The continu- ous flow of emigration to the Pacific coast has carried from the Eastern and Middle States some of their most worthy sons, and has given to the coast States that ag- gressive and determined spirit that yields nor wearies not until its desires are an accomplished fact. To this class of citizens belongs Herbert E. Lindsley, a resident of Centralia. He was born in the State of Michigan, Washtenaw connty, September 20, 1864, a son of George C. and Almira (Seekell) Lindsley, natives of the same State, and an only child. He received his education in the public schools, and was reared to the life of a farmer. In 1889 he came to Washington and located in Centralia, where he secured a position as clerk; he was afterward employed by a sash and door manufacturing company as bookkeeper, during which time he proved his sound judgment and superior busi- less ability.

He was elected to the office of City Clerk in 1892, and at the close of the same year was re-

elected to the office. He has discharged his duties with entire satisfaction to the public and has shown himself worthy of the confidence re- posed in him. He is a stanch and active Re- publican, and is an enthusiastic supporter of the movements to elevate the educational standard of the State. Honorable in all his dealings and kindly counteons of manner, he has won a host of friends in the home of his adoption.

Mr. Lindsley consummated the most import- ant event of his life when he was united in mar- riage July 15, 1891, to Miss Gertrude Green, a native of Illinois.

W ILLIAM EASTMAN, who is engaged in farming in the Chehalis valley, has been a resident of the Northwest for many years and is familiar with every phase of life on this coast, having moved about from plaec to place and been engaged in various oc- cupations.

Mr. Eastman was born in New York State in 1828, and lived at his native place until he was eighteen years of age. From there he moved to Winnebago county, Illinois, where he lived for six years. In 1852 he crossed the plains to California, landing at " Hangtown," and there for six years worked in the gold mines. Then he went to the Fraser river mines, whence, after a mining experience of six months, he removed and located in Olympia, Washington. Next he went to the Columbia river, and from there to Cowlitz county, remaining in Cowlitz county three years, and within that time (in 1860) was married. In the spring of 1862, his thirst for mining being still unsatisfied, he set out for the Salmon river mines, where he remained about six months. Then he settled in Lewis county, nine years later moved to Olympia, seven or eight years afterward returned to Lewis county, and subsequently went back to Thurston connty again. After living in Thurston county about one year, he removed to Lincoln creek, Lewis county, and from there, a year later, came to his present location in the Chehalis valley, where he has since lived.

Mrs. Eastman's maiden name was Laura R. Chapman. She was born in Lafayette county, Wisconsin, in 1843, and lived in that county until she was nine years of age. She came di- rect from Wisconsin to Cowlitz county, Wash-

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.

ington. The family left their Wisconsin home April 15, 1852; were six months in cossing the plains, arriving at their destination (then Oregon Territory) October 29. The Indians at one point en route attempted to take Laura and another little girl captive, and later on offered a pony in exchange for the former. Mr. and and Mrs. Eastman have a family of thirteen children, namely: William A., Edward W., Hannah B., Mark O., Alva O., Jessie J., Frank V., Irwin R., Clarence W., Oren, Laura M., Erie R. and Arthur C.

W ILLIAM COSTLY, who has been iden- tified with the farming interests of Lewis county, Washington, since the year 1882, is one of the representative men of his vicinity.

Mr. Costly was born in Dade county, Mis- souri, September 25, 1837, and when he was nine years old moved with his parents to Grant connty, Wisconsin. In Wisconsin he lived for about forty years, when, deciding that he could better his condition by seeking a change of lo- cation, he moved to Nebraska. He remained in Nebraska, however, only about three years, when he was again seized with the spirit of en- igration. This time Lewis county, Washing- ton, was his objective point, and here, since 1882, he has made his home.

Mr. Costly was in the Civil war from Febru- ary 9, 1864, until June 14, 1865, rendering ef- ficient service while in the ranks, being a mem- ber of Comany H, Seventh Wisconsin Infantry.

He was married in 1860, at Georgetown, Wisconsin, to Miss Amanda Reed, a native of Ohio. She moved from Indiana to Wisconsin when eighteen years old, and in the latter State remained until her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Costly have four children: Martha Susan. Jennie E., William D. and Francis M.

W ILLIAM SANDYS, junior member of the firm of Sandys Brothers, is one of the proprietors of the mills sitnated three miles east of La Center. This business was established by Sandys Brothers about eleven years ago, and although

the plant is unpretentious they have con- ducted a good local trade. It is one of the most important industries of the neighborhood, having a capacity of 2,000 feet daily, and being in operation eight months of the year. The machinery is so adjusted as to run by either steam or water power, the latter being utilized a part of the season. The product of the mill is plain and dressed lumber, flooring and ceil- ing; there is also an attachment for grinding graham flour and chopping feed, which provis- ion is of great advantage to customer .. The machinery is of modern invention and is kept in excellent order by these thrifty millers.

William Sandys is a native of Baltimore, Maryland, born April 9, 1846, and the young- est of the six children of Samuel and Annie Sandys; the father was a native of England, and his wife was born in the city of Baltimore. The family removed to the West in 1856, and lo- cated in Nemaha county, Kansas. In 1873 our worthy subject pushed his way to the coast, and located in Clarke county. Here he owns forty acres of land well suited to agriculture; twenty acres are in an advanced state of cultivation, and he has a small orchard of choice varieties of fruits.

Politieally Mr. Sandys adheres to the princi- ples of the Republican party, believing that those principles made practical would greatly increase the prosperity of the country. He has always been one of the most industrions and economical of men, and has done his share in developing and establishing the industries that have placed Clarke county in the front ranks of Washington's brilliant assemblage. Mr. Sandys is unmarried.

A K. BURT, a member of the City Conn- cil, and a prominent merchant of Van- conver, was born in Edgar county, Illi- nois, August 24, 1853, a son of Manuel and Lucinda (Tefft) Burt, the former a native of Ohio, and the latter of New York. The mother was descended from one of the early families of that State. The Burts were early pioneers of the Buckeye State. The ancestors came to America in the seventeenth century and figured prominently in the Indian and Rev- olutionary wars.

A. K. Burt, the eldest of three children, was reared and educated in Adair county, Missouri,

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.

where his parents had moved at the close of the Rebellion. He followed agricultural pursnits in that State nntil 1880; engaged in the same oeeupation in Minnesota for a time, went thence to New Orleans, and finally returned to Mis- sonri. From 1880 until 1884 he followed farm- ing in Clarke county, Washington, and in the latter year embarked in business in Vancouver, virtually withont capital. His stock then con- sisted of only fish and poultry, and two years later he added groceries to his business, and this enterprise flourished until 1889. June 22, of that year, the entire enterprise was practi- cally wiped out by fire, and, as there was no insurance on his stock, it was a total loss. Nothing daunted, however, Mr. Burt again started business with no other capital than a few debts and plenty of pluck and perseverance. His trade now, although a local one, has become lerative, and will compare favorably with other grocery houses of the city. In 1892 he was elected a member of the City Council, is also a member of the following committees : fire, water, health. police, election, and is chairman of the landing and wharf committees. Politieally, he is a stanch and active Republican. Mr. Burt affiliates with the Improved Order of Red Men and the U. O. A. M., in both of which he has passed the official chairs.

Our subject was nnited in marriage to Miss Sarah Gadeon, a native of Iowa, and they have three children: Rosa D , Mary A., and Nellie E.

C HARLES W. CUSHING, of Vancouver, a contractor in painting and decorating, was born in Vermont, May 20, 1855, a son of Jolin A. and Sarah (Jacques) Cushing, natives also of that State. The paternal ances- tors were of English descent, and were among the early settlers of New England." The mater- nal ancestors of our subject were French, but located in America before Revolutionary days. Mr. and Mrs. Cushing located in Galesburg, Knox county, Illinois, where Charles W. at- tended school, and later apprenticed himself to a honse and general painter. He worked as a journeyman in this art until 1880, then, for a brief period, followed his trade in Kansas, and then returned to Illinois. In 1883 Mr. Cush- ing opened business on his own account in Van- couver, Washington, and, although starting

with scarcely any capital, but being a thorough mechanie, he has been able, by hard work and perseverance, to reach the top rounds in the ladder of his profession. In his line he con- trols almost the entire trade of Vaneonver, and employs abont ten or twelve men, and often double that number in the busy season. Mr. Cushing contracted for and superintended the painting on the Columbia Hotel, the county courthouse, the Asylum for Defective Youths, and many other large buildings of Vancouver, both public and private, besides doing a large amount of Government work. His present place of business is on Eighth and B streets, where he carries a large stock of mixed paints, lead, oil, glass, mouldings and wall paper.

Onr subject was married in this city, to Miss Bertha Hack, a native of Oregon, who died No- vember 14, 1886. February 29, 1889, Mr. Cushing was united in marriage to Miss Fran- ces Jacques.

AMES REED YOCOM, M. D., of Tacoma, one of the foremost representatives of the medieal profession in that eity, is a native of Swedesburg, Pennsylvania, born Septem- ber 23, 1862, and is a son of Rev. Thomas S. Yocom, a well-known and able clergyman of the Episcopal Church. In 1870, the family re- moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, and in 1876 to Richmond, Staten Island, where the parents now reside.

The subject of this sketch fitted himself for college at the Polytechnic Institute, Brooklyn, and entered Harvard in 1881, at which institu- tion he graduated with honor in 1885. Having determined on the adoption of the medieal pro- fession as his life work, he matriculated at the medieal department of Harvard University, and gradnated at that time-honored institution in 1888. Subsequently, he traveled abroad that he might the better prepare himself for entering fully upon his profession. For ten months he studied in Germany and throughout Enrope, visiting the famous institutions of Berlin and other European hospitals, including those of London and Edinburg, which observation gave seope and direction to his previous studies. On his return to his native land, he decided to cast his lot with the people on the Pacific coast, and chose Tacoma as the site of his future operations.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.

In his practice he has been eminently success- fnl, and has prominently identified himself with the professional interests of that city and the entire Northwest.

Dr. Yocom was appointed Health Officer of Tacoma in 1892 and '93, and in connection with the duties of that position is recognized as thoroughly efficient, and he is also on the visit- ing staff of the Fannie Paddock Memorial Hos- pital, besides which he is a member of the Pierce County Medical Society.

In 1888, the Doctor was married to Miss Joanna Breene, of Boston, who assists him in dispensing a generous hospitality to his many warm frieds in the Northwest.

A MADEUS R. PINKNEY, city electrician of Seattle, was born in North Royalton, Ohio, August 8, 1862, a son of Robert R. Pinkney, a native of Yorkshire, En-

gland. The latter emigrated to the United States in 1812, settling in Bridgeport, Connec- ticut, where he conducted a tannery for several years He was married in Bridgeport, to Miss Rose Murray, a native of that city and of Irish descent. In 1842 they removed to Cuyahoga county, Ohio, locating on a farm purchased by his father in 1825.

A. R. Pinkney was primarily educated in the public schools of La Grange, later attended the Catholic parochial school of Grafton, and in 1877 entered Oberlin College, graduating at the latter institution in 1881. Having given careful at- tention to the study of chemistry and electricity, he decided upon the latter branch as a profes- sion ; and to perfect himself in its uses as applied to arc and incandescent lighting, he applied to the Thompson-Houston Company, and was al- lowed to enter their manufactory at Lynn, Mas- sachusetts. At personal expense, and without salary, Mr. Pinkney remained in the factory eighteen months, and became proficient in every department. He was then employed by the company in installing electric plants in cities throughout the East, and also in South America until 1884, when the Cleveland Electric Light Company was organized, and Mr. Pinkney was employed as their electrician. In June, 1886, he came to Seattle, as electrician for the Seattle Electric Light Company. He remained with that company through the succeeding changes

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An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 69

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