An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 74

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 74

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Mr. Alexander was joined in marriage, July 20, 1890, with Miss Emma Cramer, a native of Wisconsin. They have one daughter, Veva. Our subjeet is a member of no secret order or social elubs, and his entire time is devoted to educational matters. He is a man of refined qualities, and has a large circle of friends.

EORGE A. NERTON, Sheriff of Clarke county, was born in Columbia county, Oregon, February 25, 1854, a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Loekin) Nerton, natives of England. The parents came to Amer- ica in 1848, crossed the plains to Oregon in 1852, and in 1855 removed to Clarke county, Washington, where the father followed farming until his death, in 1881.

George A., the second in a family of thirteen children, was reared on a farm in this county, and educated in the public schools. After reaching a suitable age he was engaged in dray- ing in Vancouver four years, and then became shipping clerk to the Vancouver Transportation Company, holding that position during the years of 1879-'80. Mr. Nerton has served as Clerk of the School Board, as member of the police force of this city, is an active and stanch advocate of the principles of Democracy, and was the choice of his party for County Sheriff, elected in November, 1892.

In this eity, in 1878, our subject was nnited in marriage with Miss Mary Caples, a daughter of the Hon. HI. L. Caples, of Vancouver. She

died in 1890, leaving four children, three of whom still survive: Ethel M., Bessie and Milli- cent. Enna died in July, 1892. Mr. Nerton was again married, at Walla Walla, October 7, 1892, to Miss Mattie Dunean, a native of Cali- fornia. Mr. Nerton is filling an official ehair in the K. of P., and has passed all the chairs in the I. O. R. M.

C APTAIN MICHAEL O'CONNELL, a retired Sergeant of Ordnance at the Van- conver Post, was born in County Kerry, Ireland, May 16, 1826, a son of John and Mary (Mahoney) O'Connell, natives also of that conn- try. The parents reared a family of five chil- dren, three sons and two daughters. The father died in 1847, and the remainder of the family, excepting our subject, came to America, locat- ing in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, where the mother died in 1862.

Michael O'Connell, the subject of this sketch, emigrated to America in 1850, and in 1861 re- ceived a Captain's commission, commanding Company C, Fifty-fifth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. He served until 1863, when he re- signed his position, and in the same year en- listed in the ordnance department. Mr. O'Con- nell has been for over thirty years an enlisted man, and during twenty-three years of that pe- riod was a Sergeant of Ordnance at the Van- conver Post, a position from which he has but recently retired. In 1889, he was elected a member of the City Council, but resigned his position before the expiration of his term. He was again elected in 1891, and is still a member.

May 26, 1855, at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, he was nnited in marriage with Miss Ellen O'Connell, and both are consistent members of the Catholic Church.

20022.22000

A LEXANDER J. COOK, Treasurer of Clarke county, was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, January 20, 1856, an only son of A. L. and Mary (McDonald) Cook, natives also of that country. The family came to America, and to Vaneouver, Washington, in 1871, where the father and son engaged in the nursery business, both having been reared from

452

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.

boyhood to that occupation. Their nursery was established by the Hon. S. W. Brown, in 1861, and about seventeen years ago passed into the hands of its present owners. A. Cook & Son own in all 100 acres, the place being known as the Vancouver Nursery, and being probably the largest and most complete concern of its kind northwest of California. They raise all kinds of choice fruit trees, besides shrubbery, vines, roses, ornamental trees, etc.

Alexander J. Cook, the subject of this sketch, is also associated in the fruit-growing industry with the Ilon. L. B. Clough, and they own 160 acres in Multnomah county, Oregon, located on Government island. They have already forty acres in an orchard, consisting of peach and pear trees, all in a healthy and flourishing con- dition. They are now preparing the ground for additional orchard, and this will soon be set to trees. Mr. Cook was elected to his present position on the Republican ticket in 1890, car- rying the county with a handsome majority, and again, in 1892, was the choice of his party for the same office. Socially, he is a member of the Masonic order, having passed all the chairs in the blue lodge and taken the degrees of the Scottish Rite.

In Vancouver, December 8, 1892, our sub- ject was united in marriage with Miss Albertina Wintler.

2222 22220

H UGH H. McMILLAN, of the firm of Ross, McMillan & Company, real-estate and insurance agents, Spokane, Wash- ington, dates his birth in Glengarry county, East Ontario, Canada, in 1855. He was the fourth born in a family of nine children, his parents being HI. R. and Mary (McMillan) Mc- Millan, natives of Canada. His great-grand- father, John D. McMillan, a native of Scotland, came to America and settled in Canada when a young man and was one of the pioneer farmers of East Ontario. He was the founder of the McMillan family in this country. The father of our subject is a farmer and is now living in the same neighborhood in which his grand- father settled.

Hugh H. McMillan had excellent educational advantages. After attending the common and high schools, he entered Queen's University at Kingston, Ontario, in the fall of 1875, and grad- uated at that institution in the spring of 1880,

receiving the honors in natural philosophy, mathematics and political economy, taking class prizes and also writing prize essays. The sum- mer following his graduation he engaged in' the ministry of the Presbyterian Church, be- ing in a mission field, and that fall entered the Princeton Theological Seminary, where he con- tinved till the spring of 1883, when he gradu- ated. During this time he spent his summer vacations in preaching. At the solicitation of Rev. II. W. Hill, then synodical missionary of the Synod of the Columbia, Mr. McMillan came West and took work at Moscow, Idaho, arriv- ing there in July, 1883. In one year's time he erected the only l'resbyterian Church in the town, built up the organization and placed it on a solid working basis. Desiring to enter a purely missionary field, he resigned his charge at Moscow, and went into the "Big Bend " country. Ile established the first church at Davenport, and for two years traveled over that section of the country, at first on horseback and afterward in a buggy, and during that time or- ganized four churches, three of which are now prospering. Then, on account of ill health, he was compelled to give up preaching, and, in partnership with his brother, he bought land near Davenport and worked on the farm two years. Next he returned his attention to the real-estate business in Davenport, continuing there successfully until Jannary, 1890, when he came to Spokane and has since been engaged in business here. He has made wise investments in real-estate and this property is rapidly ad- vancing in valne.

Mr. McMillan is an active temperance worker. Ile adopted the cause of Prohibition because it is his principle, and sacrificed preferment when he retired from the Republican ranks. He was a candidate for Representative on the Prohibi- tion ticket in 1891.

K ENNETH J. L. ROSS, senior member of the firm of Ross, Mc Millan & Company, insurance and loan agents, Spokane, Washington, was born in Canada and is the oldest son of Donald and Catharine (George) Ross. His mother is a daughter of Dr. George. Ilis father is a native of Canada, and for a num- ber of years has been in the ministry of the Presbyterian Church.

453

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.

Kenneth J. L. Ross was educated at Queen's College, Canada, and at Lake Forest Univer- sity, Illinois, graduating in 1883. The same year he graduated he came West, located at Portland, Oregon, engaged with his father in the insurance business. In 1888 he came to Spokane. He was one of the organizers of the Washington Savings Bank, and was its cashier for two years. After that he again turned his attention to insurance and also dealt in real-es- tate. The firm of which he is now a member was organized in March, 1892, and has since been conducting a successful business. They represent a number of prominent fire-insurance companies. They also represent the Union Central Life Insurance Company of Ohio, and invest funds for individuals on farm and city property.

F ROCKWOOD MOORE is one of the liberal-minded, public-spirited and pro- gressive men of Spokane, Washington, and has probably done as much or more than any one man to advance the interests of this place.

Mr. Moore was born in Wisconsin in 1852, son of Joseph Lewis and Sarah (Rockwood) Moore, natives of New York. His parents moved to Wisconsin in 1837 and located at Oshkosh, where they reared a large family of children. His father was a merchant, He lived to be sixty-six years old and died in 1866: the mother passed away in 1856. They were members of the Episcopal Church.

The subject of our sketch received his edu- cation at Racine (Wisconsin) College, and in 1872, at the age of twenty, came West and was engaged in business in Portland and San Fran- cisco. In 1878 he was a member of a party that visited Spokane Falls, and he was so well pleased with the place that he located here in the spring of 1880, and engaged in railroad constructing and general merchandising, which he continued until 1883. He at once ranked with the foremost citizens, and he has steadily climbed the commercial and financial ladder until he now stands upon the highest round. In 1882 he joined the organization of the First National Bank, of which he was the first president. He is president of the Washington Water Power Company, vice-president of the Cable Railway Company, director in the Electric Light Com-

pany, director in the Spokane Street Railway Company, president of the Last Chance Mining Company,-their mines being in Wardner, Idaho,-and is a large owner in the South Side Railway Company.

Mr. Moore has accumulated a considerable fortune, being among the most extensive prop- erty owners. His wealth, however, is at the disposal of every enterprise which can in any way effect the progress and advancement of this city. Ile is one of those citizens who are always consulted on matters appertaining to the public welfare, and his voice is always heard in defense of those measures which can benefit the city and country. Mr. Moore was one of the most enthusiastic supporters of the Northwestern Industrial Exposition, to which he contributed liberally, and of which he is now treasurer. In 1890 he built his handsome residence under the bluff at the head of Howard street, from which a magnificent view of the city and surrounding country is secured.

Ile was married in 1878, to Miss Frances Sherlock, of Portland, Oregon, a member of the Episcopal Church.

C APTAIN WILLIAM R. BALLARD, president of the Seattle Savings Bank, and prominently connected with other financial institutions of Seattle, was born in Richland county, Ohio, August 12, 1847.

Ilis father, Dr. Levi W. Ballard, a native of New Hampshire, was educated in New England and from there removed to Ohio, where he fol- lowed his profession and where he was married to Miss Phoebe McConnell, of that State. Mrs. Ballard died in 1848, leaving two children, Irving and William R., who were taken and cared for by their grandparents. In 1851 Dr. Ballard crossed the plains to California, mined one year and then returned to Ohio. In 1853 he again crossed the plains, this time coming to Oregon and locating at Portland, where he en- gaged in the practice of his profession until the fall of 1855. The following winter he was in the Indian war, acting as surgeon in the Rogue river valley. In 1856 he returned East, and in the spring of 1857 was married, in New Jersey, to Miss Mary Condit. IIis children then joined him and they started for the Pacific coast, em- barking from New York on the old steamer

454

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.

Northern Light for Aspinwall, thence by the Isthmus to Panama, where they took passage on the Brother Jonathan, landing in Portland in March, 1857. Dr. Ballard located a farm near Roseburg, Oregon, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits and also in the practice of his profession up to 1861. Then he moved to Wilbur, Oregon, to give his children the edn- cational advantages of Umpqua College. In 1865 he moved to the Sound conntry and pur- chased 160 acres of land, on a portion of which he laid off the town of Slaughter in 1887, and there he still resides.

William R. Ballard was educated in the pub- lie schools of Rosenburg, and at the Umpqua College, where he completed an academic course. Removing with his parents to the Sound conn- try, he then spent three years at home, render- ing his strength in the reclamation of a farm in the midst of a wild and undeveloped country. In 1868 he entered the University of Washing- ton and passed one year in study, and then be- gan teaching school in King, and later Pierce and Thurston counties. Evincing a natural apt- ness for mathematics, his attention was turned to surveying, which he followed during the sum- mer of 1873 in Pierce connty, and, becoming so proficient in that line of work he secured a con- tract in 1874 to survey the Yakima Indian Res- servation. Upon completing his work, some complication arose in regard to the payment therefor, necessitating his going to Washington, District Columbia, in 1875, where he passed the winter in securing a settlement. Returning to Seattle, he then accepted the position of mate on the steamer Zephyr, owned by his brother, and engaged in the passenger service between Seat- tle and Olympia. In the fall of 1877 he was made captain of the vessel, in 1881 became part owner, and in 1883 sole owner. He continued running the steamer until June, 1887, when he sold out. He had conducted a large and profit- able business, and through the judicious invest- ment of his profits he laid the foundation of his handsome fortune.

One of the most fortunate investments Cap- tain Ballard made was in 1883, when he associ- ated himself with Judge Thomas Burke and John Leary in the purchase of 700 acres of land bordering on Salmon bay, upon which is now located that prosperous suburb of seattle known as Ballard. In 1877 they organized the West Coast Improvement Company, Captain Ballard becoming vice president and manager, and they

began elearing the above tract, and in 1889 placed it upon the market, with the town site platted and subdivided. Throngh the judicious subsidizing of manufactories and milling inter- ests, they have established a prosperous manu- facturing community of some 2,500 population. The work incident to the management of this company has largely occupied his time and at- tention np to the present, though he has been active in other directions. He was one of the organizers of the Seattle National Bank, which began business in February, 1890, with a capi- tal of $250,000, of which he has since been vice president and manager. This banking company has erected on the corner of South Second street and Yesler avenue a six-story stone and brick building, one of the finest bank buildings on the Pacific coast. He is also president of the Seat- tle Savings Bank and the First National Bank, of Waterville, and is one of the directors of the North End Bank, Seattle, and the Fairhaven National Bank. Captain Ballard is also vice president of the West Street and North End Electric Railway Company, and a large stock- holder and director of the Terminal Railway and Elevator Company.

He was married in Seattle in 1882, to Miss Estella Thorndyke, of Maine. The had five chil- dren, one son, Stanly, being the survivor.

Captain Ballard affiliates with the F. & A. M. In business affairs of Seattle he occupies a posi- tion of prominence and responsibility. Being a man of excellent judgment, progressive in his ideas, and of great publie spirit; he is justly con- ceded to be among the foremost of Seattle's most successful men.

M cDONALD PIERCE, a member of the Board of Commissioners, Klickitat county, is a man of sound judgment and good executive ability, well-fitted by natural endowment and by experience for the position he has been chosen to fill. In the following lines will be given a brief outline of his personal history. Ile is sprung from a fam- ily of English origin, whose advent upon this continent antedates the war of the Revolution. The paternal grandfather, Wyley Pierce, was a soldier in the war of 1812, standing heroically for the young republic. MeDonald Pierce was born in the State of Illinois, Saline county,

455

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.

April 15, 1850, the only son of William R. and Julia (Nelson) Pierce, natives of Georgia. The family removed to Texas county, Missouri, about the year 1855, going soon after to Rolla, Phelps county, where the father died. Young McDon- ald was thus thrown upon his own resources in early life. After the death of his father, he went to Caldwell county, Missouri, and there was engaged in farming until 1873. Joining the emigrant train that had for many years been winding its way to the Pacific coast, he arrived in Linn county, Oregon, where he engaged in milling, and later turned his attention to hop- growing, one of the chief industries of this sec- tion. After a residence of four years in Linu county, he removed to Klickitat county, Wash- ington, and here he has devoted himslf to agri- culture.

Politically, he supports the Republican party and takes an active interest in the leading issnes of the day. He is a member of the School Board, and in the fall of 1892 was elected a member of the Board of Commissioners of Klick- itat county. In his official capacity he has lost no opportunity to advance the interests of his constituency, and has always given encourage- ment to those enterprises having for their ob- ject the development of the natural resources of the county and State.

Mr. Pierce has been twice married: his first union was with Miss Mary E. Ham, nee Allen. By her first marriage she had one daughter, and her death occurred October 30, 1885. Mr. Pierce was married a second time, March 15, 1887, this union being with Miss Mary C. Gont, of Oregon. They have had two children, Ora E. and one son who died in infancy.

Mr. Pierce is a member of Alimus Lodge, No. 15, I. O. O. F. of Goldendale, and of Gol. dendale Lodge, No. 31, A. F. & A. M.

W ILLIAM P. CRAWFORD, senior member of the firm of Crawford, Mar- shall & Company, grocers of Vancou- ver, was born in Cowlitz county, Washington, January 23, 1858, a son of Peter W. and Zillah H. (Patterson) Crawford, both now deceased. The father was born on the banks of the river Tweed, in the parish of Sprouston, Roxbury- shire, Scotland, toward the close of 1822. When a young man he removed to Edinburgh, where

he attended school, subsequently proceeded to London, and later to Southampton, England, completing his education at the last-named place. In 1843 he took passage for Quebec, bnt shortly afterward traveled through Michi- gan, Indiana and Illinois, remaining in the city of Chicago until 1847. Leaving Valparaiso, Indiana, on April 12, of that year, he crossed the plains to Oregon, arriving at The Dalles, October 12, 1847. Mr. Crawford first located on Cowlitz river, and later made the first survey for the town site of Vancouver. He was next engaged in mining in California for a time, but subsequently returned to the Cowlitz river, and in 1881 brought his family to Vancouver. He was elected the first County Surveyor of Cow- litz county; served as Justice of the Peace; was United States Deputy Surveyor; in 1883 was elected Surveyor of Vancouver, and in the fol- lowing year accepted the office of County Sur- veyor of Clarke county. Mr. Crawford was married July 30, 1854, to Miss Zillah, a dangh- ter of the late Hon. Ira Patterson. They had seven children, of whom our subject was the second in order of birth, and three are still living.

William P. Crawford attended the public schools of Cowlitz county, and completed his studies at the high school of Portland, Oregon, in 1876. His early life was devoted to farming, but after completing his education he engaged in telegraphing and clerking at Kelso, Cowlitz county, abont two years. He then removed to Fisher's Landing, Clarke county, and in 1884 came to Vancouver. In January, of that year, the grocery firm of W. P. Crawford & Com- pany was established, and they continued busi- ness about two years, when Frank N. Marshall was admitted to the firm. The firm of Craw- ford, Marshall & Company carry a large and well-selected stock of general groceries, delica- cies, etc., and their store is second to none of its kind in southwestern Washington. Mr. Craw- ford has been prominently identified with many of the private and public enterprises of Cowlitz and Clarke counties. He is one of the directors of the Commercial Bank of Vancouver, Treas- urer of the Vanconver Building Association, which was organized in 1888; has served as School Clerk, and has always taken an active interest in educational matters. In his politi- cal relations, he is a staunch Republican, and in 1889 represented his party in the State conven- tion.

456

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.

April 20, 1892, at Atlanta, Illinois, Mr. Craw- ford was united in marriage to Miss Mayme Hartley, a native of Bloomington, Illinois. Our subject has passed all the official chairs in the subordinate lodge, I. O. O. F., and holds a membership in the Encampment and Rebekah degrees of that order.

C LAYTON E. CLARK, a hardware mer- chant of Vancouver, was born in Ohio, March 5, 1865, a son of Daniel D. and Mary (Brown) Clark, natives also of that State. The father is now a well-known optician of Cleveland.

Clayton E., the eldest of his parents' five children, was reared and educated in his native State, and in early life began the hardware busi- ness. He was first employed as elerk for Will- iam Bingham & Co., of Cleveland, later engaged as traveling salesman, and in 1888 removed to Portland, Oregon, where he represented the house of Foster & Roberts, on the road about two years. In 1890 Mr. Clark embarked in the hardware business in Vancouver, Washing- ton, nuder the firm name of Chumasero & Clark, and this house claims the distinction of being the first exclusive hardware establishment in Clarke county. In June, 1892, our subject purchased his partner's interest, and has since continued the business alone. Mr. Clark is a practical man in his line of trade, was reared to the business from early childhood, and has had valuable experience both in the wholesale and retail trade. He carries a fine stock of hardware, stoves, tinware, guns, ammunition, all sporting goods, lumbermen's supplies, me- chanics' tools, etc. The store is located on Main street, in the Columbia Hotel block.

Mr. Clark was married in Portland, Oregon, to Miss Carolyn Henry, a native of New York. They have one daughter, Christine.

P ROF. FRANK J. BARNARD, Superin- tendent of Public Instruction of the city of Seattle, was born in Medina, Ohio, March 26, 1852.

The ancestors of the Barnard family were among the early settlers of Connecticut. Later

generations emigrated to Ohio, and in Medina county, that State, Judge Samnel G. Barnard, the father of our subject, was born. At the age of twelve years Judge Barnard began self-sup- port, and by personal effort secured a common- school education and an academic course of about eighteen months. With mature years he began teaching school, at which he attained such prominence that he subsequently opened at Medina a normal school which attracted wide attention and proved a financial as well as an educational success. Ile was a member of the County Board of School Examiners for seven- teen years, except while occupying the position of Probate Judge. At last broken health neces- sitated his giving up the work, and in 1874 he resumed the practice of law, having been ad- mitted to the bar in 1852. In this profession he also made an enviable reputation. As Presi- dential Elector he was elected by the Republi- can party in 1876, and was made a member of the Judiciary Committee in the Ohio Electoral College, casting his vote for Rutherford B. Hayes, President, and William A. Wheeler, Vice-President. As a public speaker he was clear and logical in thought, steady and appo- site in expression, and forcible in delivery. He married Miss Malvina M. Martin, a native of New Hampshire, who was granted a certificate at the age of fourteen and began teaching in the public schools, which line of action she pursued until after her marriage.

Frank J. Barnard is the eldest of four chil- dren. His primary education was received in the public schools of his native town. He then entered the grammar department of Kenyon College at Gambier. From there he went to Oberlin and began the study of the languages, preparatory to a course in the classics. This course, however, was not completed, but was changed to German, French and philosophy. Offers came to him to teach, and he began in the country, "boarding around," as was the custom. He was then sent to Celina, Ohio, at the suggestion of Prof. Andrew J. Rickoff, one of the most distinguished educators of that State. Ile remained in Celina two years, during which time he elevated the public schools of that place from their primitive character to a graded condition. Prior to going to Celina, Mr. Barnard had taken a partial conrse at Cor- nell University, Ithaca, New York, to which place he returned from Celina. Ile remained there till his funds were used up and his

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 74

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