An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 76

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 76

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April 8, 1877, he was united in marriage to Miss Hattie E. James, of Delevan, Wisconsin, a daughter of George E. and Elizabeth (Odell) James. The father was a native of Rhode Island, where his parents, of English stock, settled in the eighteenth century. Ile was among the early pioneers of Wisconsin, and removed to Kansas in 1873. Mr. and Mrs. Hiddleson have three living children: Christel D., Vivian W., and Vibart W. The deceased are Lillian, who died in 1882, and Claybourne and Juanita, in 1890. In his political rela- tions, our subject has ever been an ardent supporter and earnest advocate of the prin- ciples of the Democratic party. IIe has been for some time a member of the Board of Trus- tees, and is now Noble Grand of Vancouver Lodge, No. 3, of the I. O. O. F. In every instance the subject of this sketch has acquitted himself with honor to himself and credit to his constituents.

D R. JAMES M. BURT, a medical practi- tioner of Vancouver, was born in Ohio, June 5, 1832, a son of Munsel and Ilan- nalı (Mann) Burt. The father, a native of New Jersey, was a pioneer of Ohio and Illinois, having removed to Edgar county, Illinois, as early as 1839. He was a blacksmith by occupation, and his death occurred December 25, 1865. His father, Benjamin Burt, was a patriot soldier during the Revolutionary war, and also a Captain in the Indian wars. The ancestors of our subject on both sides settled in this country in the early part of the seven- teenth century, and were connected with the early history of New England.

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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON.

James M., the seventh in a family of eight children, in early life learned and followed the ocenpation of milling, but later, in 1862, began the study of medicine. He received his lectures in Ohio, in the winter of 1866- '67, and first began his professional practice in Adair county, Missouri, remaining there five years. He next practiced in Grundy county, that State. Dr. Burt located in Battle Ground, Clarke county, Washington, in 1874, where he continued in practice until 1892, and in that year opened his office in Vancouver. He has built np a good practice, which is becoming constantly more extended in seope. The Doctor is a practitioner of the old or regu- lar school, and is a man who keeps abreast of the times, as is attested by the large number of medical journals to be seen upon his office tables. Ile owns property in Louisville, Clarke county, and in Portland, Oregon. In political matters, he has always been active in the Republican party, and socially is a member of the I. (). O). F. and Patrons of Husbandry.

Dr. Burt was married in Indiana, in 1853, to Zantippa Crall, a native of that State. They have two children, Hannah J., wife of Allen G. Hall, of Vancouver; and Franeis M. The Doetor is a man of progressive views in all matters pertaining to the devolopment of his city and county, and is a worthy and conscien- tions citizen.

J AMES F. MCELROY, member of the bar of Seattle, was born upon the farm near Marion, Washington county, Maine, in 1864, being the third child of James II. and Ann (Lily) MeElroy. His father followed farm- ing and the lumbering business up to 1867, when he learned of the milder climate and the vast timber resources of Puget Sound. Leav- ing his family comfortably established, Mr. Me- Elroy came to Puget Sound in 1867, and engaged in the logging business in Skagit county, where he subsequently acquired 1,500 acres of timber land, bordering upon the Sonnd. In 1871 he brought his family to Seattle, where they resided until 1877; then removed to Skagit county, where Mr. McElroy continued his log- ging operations up to 1888, when he sold his property to the Blanchard Railroad Company, and returned with his family to Seattle.

James F. was primarily educated in the pub- lie schools of Seattle, subsequently graduating from the Territorial University in 1886. He then engaged in the study of law in the office of MeNaught, Ferry, Mc Naught & Mitehell, and in 1887 entered the law department of the University of Michigan, graduating therefrom in 1889. He then returned to Seattle, was ad- mitted to the bar and at once engaged in the practice of his profession which he has success- fully continued. He is Democratic in politics, but not a seeker of public emolument, prefer- ring fame through the line of his profession to which he is devoted.

Z C. MILES, one of the representative busi- ness men of Seattle, was born in Peru, New York, March 25, 1834. His par- ents, Orison and Samantha (Peck) Miles, were born in New Hampshire and New York re- spectively. Orison Miles was by trade a black- smith, which ocenpation he followed in New York, Ohio and Illinois until 1864, when he removed to Virginia City, Montana, and con- tinned the same occupation and was elected the first Justice of the Peace of IIelena, that State. He was one of the original proprietors of the town site of Helena, Montana, and assisted in platting that town. He subsequently settled in Bozeman, Montana, where he now resides, still actively interested in the issues of the day and an ardent supporter of the principles of the Republican party. The subject of this sketch began his business career at the age of sixteen years, as clerk in the general merchandise store of K. J. Hammond, at Plainfield, Illinois, and when twenty-one years of age entered the em- ploy of his brother-in-law, George Wood, and learned the trade of tinsmith, remaining with him until 1859, which year marked the excite- ment of Pike's peak, and at which time Mr. Miles started for that country, taking with him tools and stock, and crossing the plains from Leavenworth, Kansas, with mule teams. Duly arriving he opened a shop at the little town of Aurora, now familiarly known as Denver, Colo- rado, and was among the first in that line of business in that town. After about two years he sold out and went to the mountains to try placer mining, but a few months satisfied him and he returned to Aurora and worked at his

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trade for George Fritch, now one of the promi- nent hardware men of Denver. Remaining up to April, 1862, Mr. Miles then joined a party of five and with an ox team started for the Sal- mon river mines, but after passing Fort Hall learned that the mines had failed; so returned to Fort Hall and then started for the Auburn mines of eastern Oregon, crossing along the north side of Snake river through the thickly populated Indian country, without serions trouble, and crossing Powder river near the present site of Baker City. The team was then sent to The Dalles for flour, while the balance of the party went to the mines. The prospects, however, were so poor that when the team re- turned they went to the Boise country, having great difficulty in getting away from Auburn as the snow had already commenced falling. Reaching the Payette valley, they went into camp for the winter. Securing logs from a drift on the river they built a log house and a corral for their cattle, as the Indians were quite numerous. They also started a little hotel, which was quite a success. They then con- ceived the idea of building a ferry to transport miners across the Payette river in the early spring. Purchasing a whipsaw from an emi- grant, they manufactured lumber, making a rude boat; then by burning pitch pine secured tar, and by tearing up their old clothes for caulking, were enabled to make a rude boat quite tight. The wagon box was cut up to make pulleys, and by stripping up cow hides they made a strong rope, thus completing their outfit, from which in three months they cleared $3,000. As the river was getting low they abandoned their ferry, purchased wagons and oxen and began freighting from Umatilla land- ing to Boise, a distance of 250 miles, securing as high as twenty-two cents per pound for freight. They continned freighting about three months then competition so greatly reduced the profits that Mr. Miles sold ont and retired from the business. While making his col- lections he stopped with one Goodwin at the point where Pendleton now stands and assisted him in building the first finished and painted house in that locality. Mr. Miles was a natural mechanic and made much of the furniture used by the settlers, also manufactured several sleighs and did quite an extensive business. In 1867 he went to Umatilla, and, in partnership with J. M. Leizer, engaged in the sale of stoves, tin and hardware, continuing up to September,

1870. when Mr. Miles sold out and came to Seattle, then a little hamlet sparsely settled. Entering into partnership with I. Waddell, who was running a little shop and stove store, the firm of Waddell & Miles was established. With the additional capital and enterprise of Mr. Miles, business connections were changed, and the stock was increased, but the town being too small to support many assistants, Messrs. Waddell & Miles did all their own work, both acting as mechanics, salesinen and bookkeepers. As business extended the stock was proportion- ately increased, always being kept a little ahead of the demand. Then the firm succeeded in building up a reputation, until they became the representative house in the Northwest, with a varied stock of plumbing supplies, windmills, mantles, grates and tilings, stoves, tinware, etc., the stock being valued at $7,000. In 1886 the partnership dissolved, Mr. Miles purchasing the entire interest and conducting it alone up to the fire of 1889, when his loss figured up about $50,000. IIe then organized and incorporated the Z. C. Miles Company, with a capital of 850,000. He was elected president and man- ager, and the company's building, 96 x 100 fect, three stories, corner of West street and Yesler avenne, is filled with an extensive and varied stock, a wholesale and retail business being con- ducted and the establishment being the largest of the kind in the Northwest. Employment is afforded to twenty-two hands in the several departments.

Mr. Miles was married in Seattle, in July, 1891, to Miss Rosamond Smith, a native of Maine. Socially, Mr. Miles affiliates with the F. & A. M. He is a director of the Seattle Savings Bank; president of the D. W. Cross Under- taking Company; a member of the Highland Park syndicate, and one of the active, enterpris- ing business developers of the "Queen City of the Northwest."

H ENRY S. BLANDFORD was born in Prince George county, Maryland, May 1, 1862. He came to the Territory of Washington in 1881, as a member of the United States Signal Corps, and from that date until 1885 was assigned to duty on the military telegraph lines. Ile came to Walla Walla in 1885, and established the United

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States Signal office there. Ile was admitted to the bar in 1890, and was elected Prosecuting Attorney for Walla Walla county by the Dem- ocrats the same year; was elected a delegate for the State of Washington to the National Dem- ocratie Convention at Chicago in 1892, and was nominated by the Democrats for State Sen- ator for the joint senatorial district of Adams, Franklin and part of Walla Walla counties in 1892, but was defeated. He is at present a Regent of the State Agricultural College and School of Science of Washington. Mr. Bland- ford is an able lawyer, an eloquent public speaker, an aggressive politieal leader and is enthusiastically devoted to the advancement of the public interests of Walla Walla county.

A LBERT KAYSER, an enterprising citizen of Block House, Klickitat county, Wash- ington, was born in Pottsville, Pennsyl- vania, February 22, 1845, a son of Bern- hard and Matilda (Seitsinger) Kayser. His fa- ther was a native of the canton of Berne, Switz- erland, and emigrated to the United States at the age of thirty years. He located at Potts- ville, Pennsylvania, and there engaged in the manufacture of soaps. His wife was a native of Berks county, Pennsylvania, and belonged to a Quaker family. In 1852 they removed to Caldwell county, Missouri, and there the father died in 1867, the mother surviving two years. There our subject passed an nneventful youth until the breaking out of the Civil war. Although a mere lad, he enlisted in the United States ser- vice at Cameron, Missouri, March 6, 1862; was assigned to Company E, Sixth Missouri Cavalry, and Angust 16, 1862, he was wounded in the battle at Lone Jack, where 370 men out of 700 were slain in six hours. Young Kayser was confined to the hospital at Lexington nine months, but as soon as he had sufficiently re- covered from his wounds he re-enlisted at Green- field, Missouri, and was assigned to Company D, Thirteenth Missouri Veteran Cavalry. This was one of the crack regiments of the service, being made up from picked men of thirteen different regiments, between the ages of twenty and twenty-nine years. When the war was over Mr. Kayser was assigned to duty at Fort Leav- enworth, and was afterward sent to an outpost on the Arkansas river; later he was stationed in

Arizona and afterward in New Mexico. He was in a number of engagements with the Indians, and was finally mustered ont at Leavenworth in January, 1866. He had not yet attained his majority.

It was in 1880 that he came to Washington and located at Block House, where he embarked in mercantile trade, and earried a general stock of goods, including harness and saddles. An especial feature of this stock is the immense as- sortment of glass beads, the stock varying in valve during the year from 8500 to $1,500. The Indians who are the chief customers in this line come from points as remote as Umatilla to make their purchases of the coveted gewgaws. Mr. Kayser speaks Low Dutch, and is also famil- iar with the local Indian dialects, and he and his wife make all the sales. IIe has in the Happy Ilome district a farm of 600 acres, which he has seenred by different purchases. The land is devoted to grazing, and a portion is under cultivation, the whole being superintended by Mr. Kayser's son, Millard S.

Our worthy subject was united in marriage at Black Oak, Missouri, August 15, 1868, to Miss Harriet Shrum, a native of that place, and a daughter of Jolin L. and Elizabeth (Davis) Shrum. natives of North Carolina and Illinois respectively. Mrs. Kayser is a woman of ex- ceptional intelligence and rare attainments, and has been untiring in her efforts to advance the interests of her family. She is the efficient Postmistress of Block House, succeeding Michael Green, who kept the office for nearly twenty years. Mr. and Mrs. Kayser have two children: Millard S. and Charles F., the latter being a student in the University at Portland. While Mr. Kayser is an ardent Republican and takes a deep interest in the councils of his party, he has not been an aspirant for public office, thongh he acted as Deputy Sheriff of the county. Ile is a man of more than ordinary businessability. and has been of great service in forwarding the interests of Block House.

A NDREW JACKSON, chief of the police department of Seattle, Washington, was born in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1847. Reuben Jackson, his father, a native of Ireland, emigrated to the United States and settled in Alabama in early manhood, and there

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married Miss Amanda Anderson, a native of South Carolina. Ile died in 1849, leaving a widow and one ebild, Andrew.

The subject of our sketch remained with his mother until he was fifteen years of age, em- ploying his days in labor and his evenings in study. In 1862 he went to Virginia, where he remained until the close of the war. He then went south, residing in Texas and Arkansas, engaged in carpenter work, being a natural me- chanic. He also worked in wagon manufactories and pattern shops, learning the trade of pattern and model making. In 1874 Mr. Jackson came to the far West, locating in San Francisco, where he found employment in the pattern shop of the Empire Foundry. After being there six months, he was promoted and became foreman of the pattern shop, remaining as such until February, 1888, with the exception of three years spent in the agricultural implement man- ufactory of Byron Jackson. In the Empire Foundry Mr. Jackson superintended all pattern work for the Los Angeles cable railroads, and there got his first idea of cable construction. Afterward he invented many improvements in grips, depressors and carrier pulleys, and in February, 1888, came to Seattle as superinten- dent of construction of the Yesler Avenue cable line for the Pacific Cable Construction Com- pany. This road extends from Yesler avenue and South Second street to Lake Washington, a distance of five miles, and was completed and in running order in six months. Mr. Jackson con- tinned as superintendent of the road about two years. In 1889 he superintended the construc- tion of the Front street cable, four miles of track; in 1890, the Madison street cable, seven miles; and in 1891, the James street cable, a mile and a half, all castings for this road being made in Seattle, and the yokes. grips and pul- leys after the designs of Mr. Jackson, In June, 1891, he commenced the construction of the Grant street electric road, for Fred E. Sander, the same being six miles in length. This work he carried to completion. Ile then invented trueks for the cars, the same being made by the Washington Iron Works of Seattle, while the cars were made by Wooderman, of Seattle, be- ing the first cars made complete in that eity.

After completing his railroad contracts, and at the urgent solicitation of friends, in March, 1892, he was induced to accept the appointment of Chief of Police, and at once entered upon the discharge of that duty. The entire police force

numbers sixty-one, as follows: chief, three cap- tains, three lieutenants, two jailers, two drivers, one hostler, one pound-master and forty-eight patrolinen, the patrolmen being divided into three watches of eight hours each, Mr. Jaek. son brings into his office the same enthusiasm and fidelity of purpose which has characterized every enterprise he has taken up. His efforts in the suppression of crime and in the eradica- tion of dens of infamy and vice are already pro- ducing a salutary effect in elevating the moral standard of the city.

He was married in San Francisco in 1885, to Miss Lillian Montgomery, a native of Canada. They have one child, Montgomery.

Mr. Jackson is a member of the Knights of Pythias and Odd Fellows. He owns valuable property in Seattle and is thoroughly identified with the growth and development of his adopted city.

J OSEPH W. METCALF, one of the suc- cessful lawyers of Clarke county, was born in Trenton, Grundy county, Missouri, September 5, 1864, a son of Daniel and Mary A. (Crews) Metcalf. The father had the dis- tinetion of being the first male white child born in Grundy county, where he grew to manhood, and later was recognized among the leading law- yers of the State. His death occurred January 4, 1880. His wife, who still survives, is a na- tive of Kentucky and a lady of rare literary ability. She was the founder of the Lamar Sparks, of Powers county, Colorado, having owned and ably conducted that journal four years. She afterward established the Corpus Christi Sun, of Texas, which she still edits. 'The Metcalfs are of the old and honored American families, their advent to this continent antedat- ing Revolutionary days. The grandfathers of our subject on both sides participated in the Revolutionary and war of 1812, and one, who held the rank of Captain, lost his life in the de- fence of the Colonies at the famous Braddock defeat.

Joseph W. Metealf, the subject of this sketch, and the eldest of two brothers, was reared in his native State until fifteen years of age. He then removed to Colorado, where he become connected with journalism, having been associ- ate editor of the Lamar Sparks about three years. Mr. Metcalf became a law student at

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the Missouri State Universtiy, and gradated at the Law Department of that institution in 1885. Returning to Powers county, Colorado, he fol- lowed his profession there four years, and was the first District Clerk of the county. After residing for a time in Stockton, California, he came to Vancouver, Washington, in 1890, and engaged in the practice of law in the following year. Mr. Metcalf entered into partnership with his brother, W. H., under the firm name of Metcalf & Metcalf, which continued until January 1, 1893.

In Colorado, September 28, 1889, our subject was united in marriage with Miss Laura M. Black, a native of Pennsylvania. Their first child died in infancy. Their second and last, a boy, was born February 26, 1893, at Van- conver.

In political matters, Mr. Metcalf is active in the Democratic ranks, aud socially affiliates with the Red Men and the A. O. U. W., hav- ing passed the official chairs in the latter order. In this line of action Mr. Metcalf has followed excellent example, and his few years of steady work have been productive of good results. Well read in the law in the beginning, he has the necessary practice, is painstaking and care- ful, and in court his aguments are to the point and convincing.

D R. HENRY A. SMITHI, has long been identified with the interests of Seattle and vicinity, and is eminently deserving of the high respect and esteem in which he is held by all who know him. He was one of that small band of State builders who in the early '50s came to the Sound country and laid the foundation of Seattle, that now prosperous center. It is therefore fitting that honorable mention be made of him in this work.

Dr. Smith's father, Rev. Nicholas Smith, of German descent and a native of Pennsylvania, married Miss Abigail Teaff, a Virginia lady and a descendant of English ancestors. About 1810 they moved to Wooster, Ohio, where Mr. Smith conducted a sinall farin, and preached the divine truth according to the Baptist faith.

At Wooster, Ohio, April 11, 1830, Henry A. Smith was born. He attended school near Wooster until he was fifteen years of age, when his mother, then of Wieton, moved to Stenben-

ville, Ohio. At the age of nineteen he entered the Alleghany College at Meadville, Pennsyl- vania, not graduating, however, because of an attack of aguc. At the age of twenty he com- menced the study of medicine with Dr. Rugg, of Meadville, attending leetures in Cincinnati at the Physio. Medical Institute.

April 26, 1852, Dr. Smith started across the plains to Oregon, hiring passage for his mother, sister and self in the train of Dr. Millard, paying $200 each for food and transportation. The train numbered about forty wagons and 150 people, Dr. Millard being the first to suggest and form the company. The journey was snc- cessfully accomplished without loss of life, though suffering somewhat from cholera and shortness of provisions, and after six months of travel they landed in Portland. Dr. Smith at once rented an office to engage in practice; but, learning of the possibilities of the Puget Sound country and the probability of a railroad being construeted to that poiut, he left his mother and sister in Portland and started on a prospect- ing tour of the Sound country. Arriving at Olympia, he procured a small boat and cruised about the sound to Seattle, where General Stevens in his survey thought the railroad would terminate. As the land near Seattle was all taken, Dr. Smith located his claim in a natural depression north of town, as he felt that that offered fine terminal facilities. There he took his donation claim and subsequently purchased land to the amount of 800 acres, upon the borders of what is now known as Smith Cove. He then built a log house, and in the spring of 1853 was joined by his mother and sister. Commencing to practice and soon experiencing the difficulties of travel, in the spring of 1854 he erected a frame building as an infirmary for his patients, who were brought to him, and he cared for them nntil their recov- ery. In this way he gained a wide reputation. In 1854 he set out fifteen acres of grafted fruit, the first grafted orchard in King county. The trees were purchased from the Lewellyn nurs- ery, near Oregon City, the pioneer nursery of the coast. The fruit was of various kinds and the venture proved a financial success.

During the Indian war of 1855-'56, the Doctor moved his family to Seattle for protection, and he eulisted for three months in Company D, Washington Territory Volunteers, and was commissioned Surgeon by Governor Stevens. lle subsequently enlisted for six months in

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Company A, but the only engagement in which he took part was the battle of Seattle, the time being spent on skirmish and guard duty. After peace was restored he returned to his farm to find his buildings all destroyed by the Indians. He at once began the work of rebuilding, and there continued to practice his profession.

In 1864 Dr. Smith conceived the idea that tide lands might be reclaimed, as this had already been accomplished in Holland. He secured 600 acres of land on what is now known as Smith island, at the month of the Snohomish river, and by a system of dikes reclaimed about 75 acres. After proving the proposition a success, he published several articles in the Olympia papers to disseminate his knowledge among the people, and thereafter the tide lands were rapidly taken up. He passed about six years on the island, continuing the practice of medicine all this time. He was then induced to act as resident physician upon the Tulalip Indian Reservation, with the privilege of an outside practice, which he continued until 1878, when he moved to Seattle to educate his chil- dren. Sinee then he has lived in town or on his farm at Smith Cove, as circumstances seemed to direct.

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An illustrated history of the state of Washington, containing biographical mention of its pioneers and prominent citizens, Part 76

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